Head of Commissioning - Social Care

Head of Commissioning - Contracts & Quality

Initial 6 month contract. Location: North West England. Salary: £600 per day, Inside IR35 (via umbrella). Hybrid working.

Overview

This role offers an opportunity to step into a senior leadership position overseeing more than 500 contracts, 250+ provider organisations and an annual value in excess of £250m. You will shape how quality, safety and value are delivered across Adult Social Care, Children's Services and Public Health, while playing a central role in system integration with NHS partners. This role offers real breadth - strategic, operational and political - and the chance to leave a lasting legacy on market sustainability, provider quality and outcomes for people who use services.

Your role as Head of Commissioning - Contracts & Quality:

• Senior strategic leadership of contracts, quality assurance and risk based quality management across health and social care
• Driving integration with NHS partners, aligning commissioning, contracting and quality functions
• Oversight of provider quality, safeguarding, serious concerns and regulatory engagement
• Leading and developing high performing managers and teams, setting clear direction and priorities
• Accountability for financial control, performance metrics and value for money across commissioned services
• Highly visible across the system, deputising at senior forums, influencing partners and providing expert advice to elected members and executive leaders. Engagement, co production and equality will sit at the heart of how you lead.

Your previous experience as a Head of Commissioning - Contracts & Quality:

• Significant senior level experience in commissioning, contracting and procurement within health or social care
• Strong track record of market development, provider negotiation and contract management
• Proven ability to manage large budgets, complex risk and performance frameworks
• Experience working across local authority and NHS systems, influencing at senior levels
• Relevant Level 7 qualification or equivalent professional experience

Our clients are committed to building diverse leadership teams. Recruiting decisions are based solely on experience and skills, and reasonable adjustments are fully supported throughout the process.