Job summary
Make an impact on the future of care and support in Portsmouth
Portsmouth City Council is seeking an Assistant Director of Commissioning, Quality, Contracts & Performance to shape, influence and lead the commissioning of high quality, sustainable and outcome focused services for our residents.
If you bring substantial experience of commissioning, strategic planning and system-wide transformation within adult social care, this is an outstanding opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of people across our city.
You will lead our commissioning strategy and market shaping activity, spanning areas such as learning disabilities, mental health, safeguarding, prevention, carers support and long term care. Working across the full commissioning cycle, you will design and secure services that enable people to live the lives they want, supported by strong partnerships and a resilient, innovative care market.
This is a senior leadership role where your ideas, insight and influence will help build a healthier, happier and more inclusive Portsmouth.
Our strategic direction
You will be a key leader in delivering our Adult Social Care Strategy and our improvement plan. Your work will align with and contribute to:
- Corporate Plan
- City Vision
You will foster collaborative system working, strengthen city-wide relationships, and champion excellence through coproduction, intelligence led decision making, and a strong focus on quality, innovation and improved outcomes.
Main duties of the job
About you
We are looking for a strategic, forward thinking and influential commissioning leader with:
- A strong background in commissioning within adult social care or related fields
- Experience of market development, procurement, contract management and quality assurance
- The ability to work collaboratively with partners, providers and communities
- Excellent analytical, financial and commercial judgement
- A track record of delivering transformation that improves outcomes and sustainability
- Strong leadership skills, able to motivate and empower teams and drive a culture of improvement
- Confidence in representing the council regionally and shaping systemwide approaches
Reporting directly to the Director of Adult Social Care, you will lead our commissioning, market-shaping and quality assurance functions and play a pivotal role within our senior leadership team.
Our offer to you
We value talented leaders who are passionate about improving lives. You will join a supportive, ambitious and collaborative team within a unitary authority where strategic decisions can have immediate and meaningful impact.
We are committed to your professional growth, offering opportunities to develop your leadership, shape new approaches to commissioning, and influence the future of adult social care across the city and region.
About us
About Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.
We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals.Learn more about our values and behaviours.
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we have a large number of applications.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found atEquality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal
Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Adults Board safer recruitment procedures.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please read the relevant DBSprivacy noticebefore submitting any information.
Interview Dates:Candidates will be invited to a two-stage interview process. It is expected the first round will take place w/c 23rd March 2026 and second round will take place w/c 30th March 2026.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership & Vision
Provide strategic direction across all commissioning, quality, contracts,
performance and market management activity.
Lead the development, delivery and review of the citywide Adult Social Care
Commissioning Strategy, market position statements and associated business
plans.
Drive forward transformation programmes that improve service pathways,
modernise practice, and strengthen early intervention, prevention, reablement
and independence.
Contribute to wider Council and corporate leadership, including collaborative
work with Elected Members.
Deputise for the Director of Adult Social Care when required.
2. Commissioning & Market Management
Lead the full commissioning cycle: needs assessment, service modelling,
co-design, procurement, contract negotiation, performance monitoring and
review.
Ensure Adult Social Care services meet local needs, are financially
sustainable, strengths-based, and aligned to national legislation and policy.
Oversee market sufficiency across residential care, home support, community
services, specialist provision, prevention, reablement and digital innovation.
Build strong relationships with providers, voluntary sector partners and health
colleagues to shape a diverse and resilient local care market.
Lead large-scale commissioning projects, including digital and capital-related
programmes.
3. Quality Assurance, Performance & Governance
Drive quality improvement across commissioned and in-house services
through robust monitoring, data analysis, audits and partnership reviews.
Ensure compliance with the Care Act, CQC assurance, safeguarding
responsibilities, procurement law and contractual standards.
Lead statutory data returns, intelligence functions and performance
frameworks to inform decision-making, scrutiny and service improvement.
Strengthen evidence-based practice, learning from research, sector
innovations and regulatory guidance.
Promote a culture of openness, continuous learning and high performance.
4. Partnerships & System Leadership
Represent Portsmouth City Council within local, regional and national forums
(e.g., NHS partners, ADASS, regional commissioning collaboratives).
Work as part of the Executive Leadership Team to foster integrated and
collaborative ways of working across the NHS, housing, police, voluntary
sector and wider public services.
Use the Commissioning Strategy to support system-wide work on prevention,
wellbeing, reablement and recovery, ensuring vulnerable adults are supported
to live fulfilling, independent lives.
5. Operational Oversight & Workforce Leadership
Lead and support commissioning, quality and performance teams, creating a
high-expectation, high-support culture.
Ensure the service maintains a skilled, confident and motivated workforce with
access to strong professional development.
Manage substantial budgets (typically £10£20 million), ensuring effective
financial governance, risk management and value for money.
Build strong multidisciplinary and cross-sector partnerships to deliver
seamless services and minimise unnecessary demand.
Ensure commissioning practice meets service standards, legislation and
national guidance.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership & Vision
Provide strategic direction across all commissioning, quality, contracts,
performance and market management activity.
Lead the development, delivery and review of the citywide Adult Social Care
Commissioning Strategy, market position statements and associated business
plans.
Drive forward transformation programmes that improve service pathways,
modernise practice, and strengthen early intervention, prevention, reablement
and independence.
Contribute to wider Council and corporate leadership, including collaborative
work with Elected Members.
Deputise for the Director of Adult Social Care when required.
2. Commissioning & Market Management
Lead the full commissioning cycle: needs assessment, service modelling,
co-design, procurement, contract negotiation, performance monitoring and
review.
Ensure Adult Social Care services meet local needs, are financially
sustainable, strengths-based, and aligned to national legislation and policy.
Oversee market sufficiency across residential care, home support, community
services, specialist provision, prevention, reablement and digital innovation.
Build strong relationships with providers, voluntary sector partners and health
colleagues to shape a diverse and resilient local care market.
Lead large-scale commissioning projects, including digital and capital-related
programmes.
3. Quality Assurance, Performance & Governance
Drive quality improvement across commissioned and in-house services
through robust monitoring, data analysis, audits and partnership reviews.
Ensure compliance with the Care Act, CQC assurance, safeguarding
responsibilities, procurement law and contractual standards.
Lead statutory data returns, intelligence functions and performance
frameworks to inform decision-making, scrutiny and service improvement.
Strengthen evidence-based practice, learning from research, sector
innovations and regulatory guidance.
Promote a culture of openness, continuous learning and high performance.
4. Partnerships & System Leadership
Represent Portsmouth City Council within local, regional and national forums
(e.g., NHS partners, ADASS, regional commissioning collaboratives).
Work as part of the Executive Leadership Team to foster integrated and
collaborative ways of working across the NHS, housing, police, voluntary
sector and wider public services.
Use the Commissioning Strategy to support system-wide work on prevention,
wellbeing, reablement and recovery, ensuring vulnerable adults are supported
to live fulfilling, independent lives.
5. Operational Oversight & Workforce Leadership
Lead and support commissioning, quality and performance teams, creating a
high-expectation, high-support culture.
Ensure the service maintains a skilled, confident and motivated workforce with
access to strong professional development.
Manage substantial budgets (typically £10£20 million), ensuring effective
financial governance, risk management and value for money.
Build strong multidisciplinary and cross-sector partnerships to deliver
seamless services and minimise unnecessary demand.
Ensure commissioning practice meets service standards, legislation and
national guidance.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or postgraduate-level education, or significant equivalent professional experience.
- Evidence of continuous professional development.
Experience
Essential
- Extensive leadership experience across adult social care commissioning,
- policy, market management, quality assurance and performance.
- Proven ability to lead complex programmes and large-scale service
- improvements in a multi-agency environment.
- Strong understanding of legislation relevant to adult social care (Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act, procurement law, CQC frameworks).
- Experience delivering robust financial governance and managing substantial commissioning budgets.
- Knowledge of prevention, community-based support, digital innovation, housing-related support and strengths-based practice.
- Experience working within political environments and, ideally, within local government transformation or reorganisation.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or postgraduate-level education, or significant equivalent professional experience.
- Evidence of continuous professional development.
Experience
Essential
- Extensive leadership experience across adult social care commissioning,
- policy, market management, quality assurance and performance.
- Proven ability to lead complex programmes and large-scale service
- improvements in a multi-agency environment.
- Strong understanding of legislation relevant to adult social care (Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act, procurement law, CQC frameworks).
- Experience delivering robust financial governance and managing substantial commissioning budgets.
- Knowledge of prevention, community-based support, digital innovation, housing-related support and strengths-based practice.
- Experience working within political environments and, ideally, within local government transformation or reorganisation.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
