Head of Strategic Commissioning

Head of Strategic CommissioningBe part of a nationally recognised success story in adult social careWe have an excellent opportunity available for an exceptional leader to join our Adult Social Care Directorate as Head of Strategic Commissioning, on a full time, permanent basis.As the Head of Strategic Commissioning, you'll lead the transformation of Adult Social Care and Health services to deliver better outcomes, greater value for money, and a sustainable, high-quality care system for Wokingham residents. You'll design and deliver innovative, person-centred commissioning strategies and co-producing services that reflect local needs.Through strong partnerships with health, voluntary and community organisations, and people with lived experience, you'll shape sustainable care markets using data and insight, while championing equality, inclusion, and innovation in all you do.This role will be at the heart of our transformation journey, one that has recently been recognised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as among the best in the country.Following a comprehensive inspection in 2025, Wokingham's adult social care services were rated "Good" overall, with "Outstanding" scores in Partnerships & Communities and Learning, Improvement & Innovation. We achieved one of the highest scores nationally(81%)-a powerful endorsement of our commitment to quality, collaboration, and continuous improvement.Wokingham Borough Council has joined the Social Care Future (SCF) movement, a growing community commitment to bring about major positive change to adult social care. The SCF vision aims to change the way people think about social care. It talks about organising social care differently, so that everyone regardless of age, health condition or disability can live in a place they call home, with the people and things they love, in communities where we look out for one another, doing things that matter to them.Staff BenefitsNot only is this an excellent opportunity, but it's a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:Generous Annual Leave entitlement of 31 days (rising by 5 days after 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidaysLocal Government Pension Scheme (actual contribution details to follow)GP Helpline 7 days a weekEmployee Assistance Programme with a 24/7 Your Care confidential helplineFree Eye Tests and Flu VaccinesFree Onsite Gym (located at Shute End, Wokingham)Salary Sacrifice Schemes - including Car and Cycle to WorkLocal & Lifestyle Discounts - savings on shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and moreMove through Menopause CourseSports & Social Group Activities - running, football, cricket, and moreLearning & Development OpportunitiesEmployee NetworksAnd moreKey responsibilities: Delivering high quality planning, commissioning, and improvement processes to drive change, innovation and excellence in social care commissioning in line with national and local priorities. Providing operational and strategic leadership of the adults commissioning service ensuring the required outputs and outcomes are achieved in line with the council's vision, goals and objectives. Leading the commissioning of good quality and affordable social care and health care services which meet the needs of adults in the borough of Wokingham. Manage a small team of commissioners, to drive commissioning activities, ensuring best value and achieve a balanced budget, creatively drawing on a wide range of resources and assets as appropriate. Ensuring that best value is achieved through the commissioning of individual placements and support the sufficiency within the local social care market. Candidate requirements: We're looking for a strategic thinker and experienced leader who can:Translate national policy into local action with measurable impact.Inspire and lead high-performing teams, delivering innovation and excellence in social care commissioning.Demonstrate a deep understanding of the Care Act, commissioning cycles, and integrated care systems.Build trust and credibility with a wide range of stakeholders.Bring creativity, resilience, and a passion for improving lives.Educated to degree-level or equivalent relevant professional qualifications or expertise. Has significant experience of successfully managing a strategic service, including people, budgets and performance. Has an understanding of the political landscape, legislative frameworks, and regional and national drivers surrounding the areas covered within the portfolioOur area: Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.We're home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.Wokingham Borough Council has committed to becoming a Marmot borough to embed prevention, early intervention and address inequalities in all aspects of our work. This is especially important given the significant and continued growth of our Borough and the diversity of its residents.If you're interested in this exciting opportunity, click the link below and apply todayAlternatively, to find out more or to arrange an informal discussion, please contact - Wesley Hedger, Service Director - Adult Social Care - Strategy, Transformation and Commissioning Wesley.Hedger@wokingham.gov.ukClosing Date: 7th December 2025, 11pmTechnical Interviews Date: 15th December 2025Final Panel Interviews Date: 19th December 2025If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.How to applyPlease apply online via the link provided.Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.