Job overview
Please note this organisation does not hold a sponsorship licence, we regret to inform you that we are unable to consider applications from individuals who require sponsorship
To provide senior-level support to the Strategic Commissioner by leading on the operational delivery of commissioning priorities for Children’s Care. This includes:
Translating strategic commissioning priorities into actionable projects by developing clear plans, timelines, and resource requirements that align with national policy and local Integrated Care System objectives for mental health, learning disability, and neurodiversity services.
Managing programmes and monitoring performance to ensure commissioned Children’s care services meet agreed quality standards, statutory obligations (including safeguarding and equality legislation), and financial targets.
Conducting analysis and needs assessments using population health data, service usage trends, and outcome measures to identify gaps in Children’s care provision and inform evidence-based decision-making.
Engaging stakeholders and service users through effective partnership working with providers, local authorities, voluntary organisations, and co-production with people with lived experience, families, and carers to shape and improve services.
Main duties of the job
Responsible for:
Senior-level support for the strategic commissioning of services for children and young people.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Analytical and judgement skills
Analyse and interpret complex qualitative and quantitative data to support clear project reporting and delivery of outcomes
Produce and present high-level reports for local and ICB-wide project groups, detailing progress against milestones, risks, dependencies, and resource requirements, and make evidence-based recommendations where multiple options exist.
Apply sound judgement to resolve complex issues, balancing operational, financial, and strategic considerations.
Planning and organisation
Lead multi-agency project teams in delivering project plans, allocating tasks, managing risks and dependencies, and ensuring decisions align with best practice and project objectives.
Develop comprehensive project plans consistent with strategic direction and minimise disruption to stakeholders.
Provide proactive leadership, managing conflict and fostering collaboration across departments and agencies.
Maintain project documentation, including initiation documents and plans, and monitor progress through regular team meetings.
Ensure flexibility to adapt plans to changing requirements and priorities.
Organise and manage events and meetings, ensuring timely communication of agendas, minutes, and presentations.
Contribute to strategic planning by identifying interdependencies, resource requirements, and contingency measures across projects.
Support development of governance strategies and improvement programmes, contributing to short, medium, and long-term business plans.
Policy and service development
Draft and propose changes to policies, guidelines, and service level agreements relevant to projects.
Recommend improvements to service delivery and maintain awareness of emerging health and care policies.
Support implementation of operational processes that strengthen governance and drive continuous improvement.
Financial and physical resources
Subject to the financial rules and processes in place:
Conduct cost-benefit analyses and assess proposals objectively.
Develop business cases and delivery plans to secure funding or investment, ensuring financial impacts are rigorously considered.
Manage and monitor project budgets, ensuring compliance with financial governance processes and Standing Financial Instructions.
Commission and procure services, resources, and products to support transformation and change.
Prepare strategic reports and briefings for governance groups, providing clear financial advice and recommendations.
Information management
Draft reports summarising project status, risks, and outcomes for senior stakeholders.
Collate and analyse qualitative and quantitative data to develop robust business cases and inform decision-making.
Ensure data-driven approaches underpin all development and implementation activities.
Liaise with Communications teams on public relations and marketing activities.
Apply structured change management methodologies and maintain collaborative relationships with stakeholders.
Research and development
Plan, develop, and evaluate methods for gathering, analysing, and presenting data to inform commissioning and transformation.
Deliver projects in line with KPIs and performance standards.
Coordinate research and evaluation initiatives, delegating tasks as appropriate to support continuous improvement.
Key Working Relationships
Internal
- Strategic Commissioner for Children’s Care
- Other Commissioning Managers and Support Officers within the Integrated Care Board (ICB)
- Finance, Contracting, and Performance Teams
- Quality and Safeguarding Teams
- Transformation and Programme Management Offices
External
- NHS Provider Trusts (Children’s and Community Services)
- Independent and Voluntary Sector Providers
- Local Authorities (Adult Social Care and Public Health)
- Primary Care Networks and GP Practices
- Service Users, Carers, and Advocacy Groups
- Regional and National NHS England Teams (where relevant)
- Healthwatch and other patient engagement bodies
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of the main issues affecting outcomes for children, young people and families, particularly for children and young people within highly vulnerable groups.
- Knowledge of policy, statutory guidance and regulations relating to children’s care, including Children Act, Children and Families Act 2014, SEND code of practice and the NHS 10yr Plan
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of commissioning processes in highly complex multi-agency environments including: a) Conducting health needs assessment, b) Process mapping and gap analysis, c) Service model development, d) Procurement cycles, e) Contract and performance management, f) Market management and shaping supply.
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Ability to provide senior-level leadership within children’s care services across health and/or social care settings.
- Skilled in building and sustaining effective partnerships across organisational boundaries, enabling collaborative system-wide working.
- Strong ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders — including service users, carers, clinicians, and partners — to co‑design and deliver shared goals.
- Ability to interpret and apply current healthcare policy and ICS priorities relating to children’s care services, using this insight to inform commissioning, pathway design, and service transformation.
IT and digital literacy
Essential
- Experience in using all MS Office applications.
Desirable
- Experience in using data sets, SPC charts, and other digital tools to drive decisions and communicate opportunities to stakeholders.
Qualifications and experience
Essential
- Educated to Masters level in a relevant area of academic practice or equivalent experience working at a commensurate band / level.
- Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to role in the last 2 years.
Analytical and problem-solving skills
Essential
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands.
- Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options
- Takes decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action.
- Ability to think strategically – look into the future, identify opportunities and anticipate problems to reduce their impact.
Communication and interpersonal skills
Essential
- Ability to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive, or contentious information, negotiate with senior colleagues on difficult issues, and present to large and influential groups.
- Ability to prepare concise yet insightful communications for senior colleagues and partners.
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
- Ability to construct and deliver clear information/instructions to all partners, including staff and service users.
- Able to work effectively as part of a high-performing team.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Senior Commissioning Manager with NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB in Eastleigh, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £57,528 - £64,750 per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 21 Aug 2026.
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