ARE YOU READY TO LEAD STRATEGIC CHANGE THAT DIRECTLY IMPROVES THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES?

As Head of Commissioning and Transformation, you’ll be at the forefront of shaping services that are safe, high-quality, and deliver real value for money. You will be at the forefront of shaping and delivering a new, integrated approach to commissioning, driving transformation that will achieve tangible improvements for children and families.
This is a unique opportunity to work across organisational boundaries, influence how services are designed, delivered, and improved—working collaboratively with partners across health, education, and social care and embed a commissioning work programme that makes a lasting difference.

What will you be doing?

• Leading a dynamic team of commissioning managers, brokerage officers, and support staff.
• You will drive forward our sufficiency commissioning strategy and business plans aligned with NCT priorities.
• You will establish and manage the Programme Management Office, ensuring transformation programmes are delivered efficiently and effectively.
• You will build strong partnerships to enable integrated service delivery and better outcomes for children and families.
• Ensuring high standards and continuous improvement you will oversee the commissioning cycle.
• You will effectively manage budgets and resources to deliver value for money and ensure compliance with procurement and financial regulations.
• Monitor and report on joint transformation projects and financial strategies.

We welcome the opportunity to speak to any interested candidates so please feel free to email: Andrew.Tagg@nctrust.co.uk and they can agree a mutually agreeable time to call you
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.
About you

You’ll drive the commissioning and sufficency strategy and lead transformation programmes that make a lasting impact. You’re an experienced, visionary leader with a passion for improving services for children and families. You bring:

• A degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant business area.
• Deep knowledge of children’s services legislation and the commissioning cycle.
• Proven senior leadership experience in Commissioning and Transformation.
• Proven experience in programme management and leading complex transformation initiatives.
• Strong understanding of commissioning principles, contract management, and market shaping.
• Excellent strategic thinking, analytical skills, and ability to lead complex change programmes.
• Experience of change management and leadership.
• Experience of Relational, Partnership working, stakeholder management, internal and external.
• Strong budget management skills and a track record of achieving efficiencies.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with partners and providers.
• A collaborative and innovative mindset, always looking for ways to improve service design and delivery.

• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

  When applying please ensure your supporting statement covers how you fulfil the essential criteria set out in the person specification as this will be used for shortlisting. You will need to provide a full employment history including any gaps since leaving full time education
  About us
  At Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, children, young people and families are at the heart of all we do – in every decision we make and every action we take. Our mission is driven by the unwavering commitment to achieving the best outcomes for them. The Trust is wholly owned and funded but operationally independent from the Councils.
  Our workforce are our most valuable asset and are pivotal to making the services and support we offer to children, young people and families who need us to be the absolute best we can be.
  We value our colleagues and empower them to be able to do the best job of their lives every single day, working in a culture of support and kindness where achievements are celebrated and creativity is very much welcomed.
  At NCT equality, diversity and inclusion are part of us and in everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and thrive in our organisation. We are a disability confident employer and have a commitment to care leavers who we guarantee an interview if they meet the essential criteria.
  Join our dedicated team and be a part of an organisation where your work makes a real difference.
  Our benefits
  We are committed to continuous improvement, building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce alongside promoting innovation and creativity whilst keeping children, young people and families at the heart of all we do.

We really value our workforce and offer you a great benefits package including:

• 28 days annual leave, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time) and an additional 5 days, after 5 years
• Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health pension protection.
• Opportunity to purchase up to 25 days annual leave
• Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
• Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
• Flexible and family working arrangements including enhanced maternity benefits
• A permanent, supportive and inclusive management team where you will be empowered to make good professional decisions
• Extensive Learning & Development and career development opportunities
• Subsidised town centre car parking scheme

• Leading a dynamic team of commissioning managers, brokerage officers, and support staff.
• You will drive forward our sufficiency commissioning strategy and business plans aligned with NCT priorities.
• You will establish and manage the Programme Management Office, ensuring transformation programmes are delivered efficiently and effectively.
• You will build strong partnerships to enable integrated service delivery and better outcomes for children and families.
• Ensuring high standards and continuous improvement you will oversee the commissioning cycle.
• You will effectively manage budgets and resources to deliver value for money and ensure compliance with procurement and financial regulations.
• Monitor and report on joint transformation projects and financial strategies