Lead Commissioner

Lead Commissioner (Older peoples Residential/Nursing Homes & Quality Assurance)

Contract start: Feb 2026

Duration: Until June 2026 (initially)

Rate: £526 per day - Umbrella Inside IR35

This is an exciting new opportunity which focuses on providing strategic leadership for commissioning by aligning vision, values and priorities to deliver integrated, high-quality and value-for-money services. It involves leading commissioning staff, managing complex and high-risk services, developing effective partnerships, shaping a sustainable and responsive market, and ensuring services across health and social care are co-produced, evidence-based, legally compliant and delivered with robust quality assurance and safety arrangements.

Main Activities & Responsibilities:

• Accountable for delivering commissioning within agreed governance and quality frameworks, reporting performance and progress to partners
• Drive innovative, cost-effective commissioning approaches that deliver clear outcomes, measurable benefits and services aligned to national and local standards
• Lead and influence commissioning teams to deliver effective services and implement Adult Social Care and commissioning strategies
• Lead service change and recommissioning using evidence of need, best practice, data and customer insight
• Ensure commissioned services have clear specifications, outcomes, quality assurance and, where required, clinical governance arrangements
• Prepare and present reports, financial cases and project documentation to senior managers, boards and scrutiny panels
• Provide challenge and advice on proposed service changes, including financial implications
• Manage allocated budgets and oversee risk identification, monitoring and mitigation for service quality, delivery and finances

Requirements:

• Senior strategic leader with a strong track record in commissioning, quality assurance and commercial practice
• Extensive experience across the full commissioning cycle within adult social care and health
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage complex change and challenge provider performance
• Strong expertise in market shaping, partnership working and delivering value for money
• Expert knowledge of social care, public sector commissioning, statutory and regulatory frameworks and integrated health systems
• Excellent communication, influencing, analytical and financial management skills
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into effective operational delivery and measurable outcomes
• Resilient, collaborative and committed to continuous improvement and co-production

If this sounds like you, please apply today!