Job description

Head of Service: Children's Commissioning
£79,598

Do it for leading transformational change. Do it for shaping the future of services for children and families. Do it for Devon.

About Devon

Devon County Council is one of the largest local authorities in the Southwest, serving a diverse mix of rural, coastal and urban communities. Our county is known for its outstanding natural environment, strong sense of community, and commitment to improving opportunities for every resident.

Within this context, Children's Services remains a top corporate priority. We are focused on delivering high-quality, child-centered services, strengthening partnerships across education, health, and the voluntary sector, and driving improvement in safeguarding, care, and early help. Devon offers an environment where senior leaders can make a real and lasting difference with the scale, ambition and stability to innovate and deliver meaningful change.

About the Role

We are seeking an exceptional senior leader to take on the role of Head of Service: Children's Commissioning, a pivotal leadership position within Children's Services.

With strategic oversight of a £45m commissioning portfolio and £2.4m operational budget, you will lead the commissioning, quality, governance and market-shaping functions that underpin Devon's ability to deliver safe, effective and high-quality services for children, young people, and families.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will:

• Provide strategic direction across commissioning and resource functions, ensuring statutory responsibilities are fully met.

• Drive innovation, service improvement and transformation across a complex, high-risk landscape.

• Lead the development of the children's services provider market, building strong, accountable relationships with partners and providers.

• Ensure that the voice of children, young people, families and practitioners actively shapes commissioning decisions and system redesign.

• Maintain strong governance, risk management, quality assurance, and performance frameworks.

• Influence at regional and national level, championing Devon's interests and contributing to system-wide planning.

• Lead and develop a skilled workforce of commissioners and senior managers, fostering excellence, accountability and positive organisational behaviours.

About You

You will be a confident, inspiring and politically astute senior leader with:

• Substantial experience operating at a senior level within children's social care commissioning or related strategic roles.

• A strong track record of improving services in complex, multi-agency environments.

• Deep understanding of safeguarding, sufficiency, prevention, early intervention and market development. Significant financial management experience in high-value, volatile budget areas.

• The ability to build trust, influence at senior levels, and lead through complexity and uncertainty.

• A commitment to equality, anti-discriminatory practice and improving outcomes for children and families.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to lead system-wide improvement, influence strategic direction at a senior level, and shape services that have a life-changing impact. You will work alongside committed, ambitious colleagues in a supportive environment where high standards, innovation and partnership working are expected and valued.

For an informal conversation regarding this role, please contact Daniel Moncrieff at Daniel.Moncrieff@devon.gov.uk

Please click here to see the Job Description

• DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages .
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working - The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

• Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice .
• For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page .