Strategic Commissioning Lead

Cornwall Council

  • Cornwall
  • Permanent
  • Part-time
  • 5 days ago
Job Category: Social Care & SupportJob Description:*Please note that although the closing date for this advert is 16th November 2025 applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis. This means that the advert will be withdrawn should the vacancies become filled before the closing date*The Service & TeamLead strategic transformation across Cornwall's most vital services.Cornwall Council is nationally recognised for its innovative, integrated approach to commissioning - built on strong partnerships across health, education, and social care. We're developing a professional commissioning discipline that blends best practice, robust evidence, and co-design with communities, creating an environment where commissioners can thrive and make a measurable difference.As a Strategic Commissioning Lead, you'll be accountable for the strategic commissioning of either a key area of need or a major service function - a significant subset of our life-course commissioning approach. You'll define what good looks like, set the strategic direction, and lead delivery across the full commissioning cycle.This is a delivery-focused leadership role, ideal for someone who thrives on complexity, collaboration, and long-term transformation. You'll be part of a high-performing commissioning team, reporting to a Head of Commissioning and working alongside other Strategic Leads to shape the future of services in Cornwall for children and young people.Your ImpactYou'll be the strategic ambassador for your commissioning area - making a compelling case for change, drawing on national and international evidence, and leading large-scale transformation programmes that span service models, financial strategy, and stakeholder engagement.In this role, you will:
  • Lead the commissioning strategy for your area, aligned to Cornwall's life-course approach.
  • Define strategic outcomes and success measures, grounded in evidence and codesigned with communities.
  • Oversee complex transformation programmes that may span several years.
  • Shape and sustain the marketplace, building positive relationships with providers to ensure capacity and quality.
  • Lead contract and supplier relationship management, ensuring compliance and proactive market sustainability.
  • Drive improvements in outcomes, value, and performance across the full commissioning cycle.
This position will be subject to an enhanced criminal record disclosure check.About YouWe're looking for someone who combines strategic insight with operational rigour. You'll bring:
  • Senior-level commissioning experience in local government or the wider public sector.
  • A track record in transformation, market shaping, and delivering large-scale change. As well as financial rigor, best value and quality outcomes.
  • The ability to influence across systems, backed by evidence-led thinking and a focus on what matters most.
Multiple Roles AvailableWe are recruiting Strategic Commissioning Leads across several key areas, please let us know what areas are of interest to you in your application:
  • Early Years and Prevention
  • Children with Disabilities
  • Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Working PatternThere are 3 FTE roles with an opportunity to work full or part time. Working patterns are flexible in this role, such as hybrid work arrangements (including time in the office), compressed hours, term-time only and other alternatives.Please indicate your requested working pattern in your application.Why Join UsThis is a rare opportunity to lead strategic commissioning in a Council known for innovation, strong partnerships, and delivering real impact. You'll join a team with the resources, support, and political commitment to deliver ambitious change.Cornwall Council's ambition is to be an employer of choice, a high performing Council and a learning organisation. We commit to providing a reward and benefits package to attract, motivate and reward our employees. We offer a range of flexible working options to our staff. This helps provide our employees with a greater work/life balance. Whilst still ensuring that service needs are met.We offer:
  • A competitive salary
  • Flexible hybrid working
  • Generous annual leave, with the option to purchase additional days
  • Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
  • A nationally recognised employee wellbeing programme
  • Access to a wide range of discounts on goods and services
  • Relocation support, if applicable
  • Investment in your career and development
  • The chance to lead work that transforms lives
Additional InformationCornwall Council is unable to offer visa sponsorship or transfer existing sponsorship for this role.The full role profile is attached .We recommend saving a copy of this to refer to if you are invited to an interview.For more information or an informal chat about the role please contact Angie Andrews, Head of Commissioning, email or telephone 07968 892660.Application ProcessPlease attach a supporting statement to your application, you can add your Education & Qualifications details manually using the application form timeline or you can upload your CV. Remember to demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points marked as 'Application' on the Role Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. Guidance on how to complete your application can be found here - .Please note that applications cannot be edited after they have been submitted, please contact if you have any queries or require assistance with your application.Existing employees must apply using their Cornwall Council email address through the Opportunity Marketplace on Oracle.About Us:Cornwall Council deliver services to more than half a million local people and over five million visitors a year.We are happy to talk about flexible working options such as part-time or compressed hours. More examples of our flexible working opportunities can be found here - .Fairness and inclusion are at the heart of our vision for Cornwall. In order to best serve our communities, we are striving to achieve a diverse workforce that is inclusive of all backgrounds, cultures and identities; e.g., race, disability, sex, gender, age, religion and sexual orientation. We are an equal opportunities and Disability Confident employer, and we will assess applicants on their merits.Cornwall Council is committed to safeguarding and following safer recruitment principles to help make sure our staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children, young people and adults at risk. It's a vital part of creating a safe and positive environment and making a commitment to keeping all service users safe from harm.

Cornwall Council