Commissioning Manager - Childrens and Families Social Care

About the role

Commissioning Manager - Childrens and Families Social Care

Permanent, Full Time

£58,933 to £69,332 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Closing Date: 22nd February 2026

We are looking to recruit an additional Commissioning Manager to join our busy Children and Families Commissioning team. The team works across a diverse portfolio, ranging from early intervention and prevention through to specialist care, supporting improved outcomes for children, young people and families across Essex.

We are seeking candidates with a strong grounding in local authority commissioning and a genuine passion for making a difference. This is an exciting strategic role, focused on delivering meaningful change and improving outcomes for children, young people and parents/carers. If you are well organised, an effective communicator, proactive, creative and comfortable working autonomously, this role could be a great fit.

Commissioning is a key function within Essex County Council, working across the system to improve outcomes for Essex residents and bring about significant change to manage future challenges. The manager role leverages expertise and capability to enable a more flexible and agile commissioning environment to succeed in delivering the organisation’s strategic objectives. The managers work across a range of programmes from universal to specialist levels of need, supported by an experienced team of senior and lead commissioning officers

The Role

We are looking to recruit an experienced Commissioning Manager who can work in complex situations, dealing with complex problems. The Commissioning Manager is also responsible for managing senior and lead commissioning officers and working across all functions of the organisations as well as external partners.

You will oversee all aspects of the commissioning process from needs assessment, co-production to procurement and/or service redesign. There are plenty of opportunities for learning, development, and growth within this busy dynamic team.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Educated to degree level or equivalent by experience.
Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant business, process, or professional area.
Evidence of ability to influence key decision makers with a clear understanding of the vision and strategy to inspire others.
Knowledge and proficient experience of the commissioning cycle together with mastery of programme and project management.
Curiosity, learning and innovation to and create a compelling case for change.
Experience of working within a political and complex environment, working effectively with a range of stakeholder and partner agencies at all levels.
Evidence of delivering results and managing change alongside leadership capability.
Evidence of commercial awareness and developing business opportunities.

If you are interested in joining a supportive, versatile, and creative team, one of these roles could be the role for you. If you would like to discuss the opportunities further, please contact: Clare.Burrell@essex.gov.uk to arrange a call.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

To read more about our business area, please visit: Children & Families

Please take a look at our ‘No Magic’ Children & Families video

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex . With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025 , Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR ) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles , including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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Commissioning Manager – Childrens and Families Social Care