Job Details:

Job Reference: HCC623603
Salary Range: £82,339 - £92,410 per annum
Work Location: Elizabeth II Court, Winchester, (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 10 April 2026
Interview Date: 28 April 2026

An exciting opportunity for a Head of Commissioning has arisen to join our Strategic Commissioning & Procurement team at Hampshire County Council.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced individual to contribute to the leadership and development of the Commissioning teams in Hampshire County Council. This is a Strategic Commissioning role, reporting to the Assistant Director, Strategic Commissioning & Procurement within the shared services Commissioning function for Adult and Children's Social Care. This role will have a specific focus on Childrens and Younger Adults Services.

The Role:

The postholder will lead and deliver the Council's strategic commissioning priorities for Children and Younger/Working Age Adults. The role ensures a high quality, evidence based, and person centred approach to commissioning that improves outcomes, reduces inequalities, and strengthens community resilience.

This is a significant time of change for Local Government, as we work through a period of reform, with Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) due to come into effect in April 2028. LGR will directly impact the County of Hampshire as it currently operates a two-tier Local Government structure. This transformation will require significant strategic consideration and leadership for both Commissioning and Procurement Teams.

What you'll do:

You will lead the design and implementation of strategic commissioning priorities and strategies for Children's Services and Younger/Working Age Adults, providing strong leadership and effective management to ensure the seamless delivery of high quality, robust and co-produced services.

Your role will help maximise the value and impact of public funds by ensuring commissioning activity is strategically targeted, financially robust, and focused on achieving value for money and improved outcomes for individuals. You will oversee the fulfilment of all relevant statutory responsibilities, ensuring the function operates as a high performing service aligned with Council priorities.

You will lead cross Council and external stakeholder collaboration to shape and implement strategic policy and planning, identifying opportunities that maximise quality, reduce inequalities, and promote ongoing service enhancement.

You will apply your detailed knowledge of legislative frameworks and statutory requirements related to Children's Services and ensure full compliance with statutory, regulatory, contractual, and organisational policy requirements across all commissioning and operational activities.

Your role will help to shape and influence the development of local and, where appropriate, national policy, strategy, and good practice.

What we're looking for:

• Substantial experience in managing large and complex budgets, with clear accountability for financial performance within a multi faceted organisation.
• Detailed knowledge of legislative frameworks and statutory requirements relating to Children's Services and Young Adults.
• Comprehensive understanding of legal, commercial, political, operational, and community issues relevant to delivering services in a diverse environment.
• Extensive experience of partnership working, demonstrating the ability to build and sustain productive professional relationships.
• Proven track record in leading change, driving service improvement, and delivering high quality commissioning activity across complex service areas.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex data, produce insightful management reports, and translate findings into strategic plans.
• Effective problem solving capability, including the ability to navigate and overcome organisational barriers to achieve desired outcomes.
• Experienced leader, capable of empowering multidisciplinary teams, promoting high performance, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Strategic thinker with sound judgement, capable of making informed decisions and managing diverse, and at times conflicting, priorities.
• Highly developed communication and influencing skills, including negotiation, persuasion, and the ability to secure commitment from a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent presentation skills, with experience presenting confidently to senior leaders, Executive Members, and external partners.
• Ability to manage complexity and sensitive issues with professionalism, discretion, and emotional intelligence.
• Strong collaborative skills, with the ability to maintain effective working relationships with senior colleagues, elected Members, partner agencies, and providers.
• Ability to manage conflict constructively and develop solutions that meet the needs of multiple stakeholders.

Why join us?

• The opportunity to become part of a large and high performing Commissioning & Procurement Team.
• Opportunities to be involved in developing and influencing national/regional initiatives.
• Our benefits package includes details of the holiday entitlement, pension scheme, flexi-time scheme, family friendly policies and interest free travel loans and discounts. We offer a flexible, motivating and inclusive workplace. We have created an environment that you can look forward to being a part of, where you are empowered to be your best and a workplace built on teamwork where people can grow and develop in their roles.

If you think you have what it takes to make a real difference in Hampshire, get in touch!

Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK. A modern, forward-looking local authority, it offers a pleasant, supportive, and collaborative working environment.

Hampshire County Council is also a flexible employer interested in making the most of your skills and offers a great work life balance.

Additional Information:

Head of Commissioning Candidate Pack

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Belinda Stubbs, Head of Strategic Commissioning & Procurement on belinda.stubbs@hants.gov.uk

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.