Strategic Commissioning Lead

Overview

Are you passionate about shaping high-quality services that make a genuine difference to people's lives? Do you thrive on building strong partnerships, driving innovation and influencing positive change?

We're looking for a Strategic Commissioning Lead to play a key role in planning, developing and improving adult mental health and domestic abuse services. This is an exciting opportunity to lead strategic commissioning activity, work collaboratively across organisations, and help ensure services meet the needs of our communities now and in the future.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

About the role

As our Strategic Commissioning Lead, you'll be at the heart of developing and delivering commissioning strategies that help shape high-quality, sustainable services across Adult Social Care and Health. Working alongside colleagues, providers, partners and stakeholders, you'll use evidence, insight and market intelligence to influence service development and improve outcomes for residents.

This is a varied and rewarding leadership role where you'll balance strategic planning with practical delivery. You'll lead on commissioning programmes, support service transformation, oversee financial performance and help develop thriving provider markets. You'll also play an important role in building strong partnerships across the council, health organisations and the wider care sector, ensuring services provide both quality and value for money.

No two days will be the same. One day you may be developing long-term commissioning strategies, and the next you could be working with stakeholders to improve services, analysing performance data, or leading innovative projects that help meet the changing needs of local communities.

Some of the things you'll be doing:

• Leading commissioning strategies and service development programmes.
• Building strong relationships with providers, partners and key stakeholders.
• Using data, insights and needs assessments to inform decision-making.
• Supporting service transformation, innovation, and continuous improvement.

For a full list of responsibilities and duties, please refer to the Job Description.

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need a desk, screen a keyboard to get your job done. You’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

About you

We're looking for an experienced, forward-thinking leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for people and communities. You'll be someone who enjoys working collaboratively, can build credibility with a wide range of stakeholders and feels comfortable navigating complex environments and challenging priorities. You'll bring a strategic mindset, strong analytical skills and the ability to turn ideas into meaningful action.

To be successful in this role, you'll have substantial experience in commissioning within a health and/or social care setting, alongside a strong understanding of relevant legislation, policy and best practice. You'll have a proven track record of leading change, delivering service improvements, managing budgets and developing effective partnerships across organisational boundaries. Strong leadership, communication and influencing skills will be essential, as will the ability to motivate and develop others to achieve successful outcomes.

You'll be educated to degree level or have equivalent experience and ideally hold a relevant professional qualification. Most importantly, you'll share our values and be committed to delivering excellent services that make a positive difference to the people we serve.

For full details of the essential and desirable criteria, please refer to the Job Description.

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Other information

For more information about this role, please contact Holly Pedrick at [email protected] for an informal discussion.

Internal Closing date: 18th October 2026

Interview Date: tbc

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions

For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance published by the Ministry of Justice (see, in particular, the section titled ‘Exceptions Order’).

Our values

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Service Area

You will be part of the Working-Age Adults Commissioning Team within Buckinghamshire Council's Strategic Commissioning and Procurement Service, which sits in the Adults and Health Directorate.

The portfolio spans Mental Health, Domestic Abuse, Learning Disability, Autism, Housing, Prevention, and Early Help services, helping to shape support that enables residents to live healthy, safe and independent lives. Through strategic commissioning, partnership working, and market development, the team develops innovative, person-centred solutions that improve outcomes, reduce inequalities, and make the best use of public resources.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/