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Cornwall Council

Strategic Commissioning Lead

The closing date is 16 November 2025

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Job summary

Making a difference for children and young people - lead strategic transformation across Cornwalls most vital services. Building on our innovative and integrated approach to commissioning built on strong partnerships across health, education, and social care. Were 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, youll 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. Youll define what good looks like, set the strategic direction, and lead delivery across the full commissioning cycle.

Main duties of the job

Lead strategic transformation across Cornwalls 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. Were 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.

About us

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

Details

Date posted

04 September 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£55,273 to £66,910 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

F0021-700003319

Job locations

New County Hall

Treyew Road

Truro

Cornwall

TR1 3AY


Job description

Job responsibilities

*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this advert is 16th November 2025 applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis.This means that the advert will be withdrawn should the vacancies become filled before the closing date*

As a Strategic Commissioning Lead, youll 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. Youll 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. Youll 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 Impact

Youll 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 Cornwalls 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 You

Were looking for someone who combines strategic insight with operational rigour. Youll 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 Available

We 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 Pattern

There 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 Us

This is a rare opportunity to lead strategic commissioning in a Council known for innovation, strong partnerships, and delivering real impact. Youll join a team with the resources, support, and political commitment to deliver ambitious change.

Cornwall Councils 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.

Cornwall Council is unable to offer visa sponsorship or transfer existing sponsorship for this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

*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*

As a Strategic Commissioning Lead, youll 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. Youll 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. Youll 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 Impact

Youll 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 Cornwalls 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 You

Were looking for someone who combines strategic insight with operational rigour. Youll 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 Available

We 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 Pattern

There 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 Us

This is a rare opportunity to lead strategic commissioning in a Council known for innovation, strong partnerships, and delivering real impact. Youll join a team with the resources, support, and political commitment to deliver ambitious change.

Cornwall Councils 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.

Cornwall Council is unable to offer visa sponsorship or transfer existing sponsorship for this role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Please refer to the attached role profile.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Please refer to the attached role profile.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Cornwall Council

Address

New County Hall

Treyew Road

Truro

Cornwall

TR1 3AY


Employer's website

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Cornwall Council

Address

New County Hall

Treyew Road

Truro

Cornwall

TR1 3AY


Employer's website

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Cornwall Council Recruitment

ccrecruitment@cornwall.gov.uk

01872323800

Details

Date posted

04 September 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£55,273 to £66,910 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

F0021-700003319

Job locations

New County Hall

Treyew Road

Truro

Cornwall

TR1 3AY


Supporting documents

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