Job title: Commissioning Manager Contract: Internal only vacancy -Permanent, Full-time
Internal vacancy. Applications will only be considered from existing Leeds City Council employees.
Interviews are currently planned to take place on Thursday 12th December 2024.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. We welcome applications from people with lived experience. While desirable, it is not essential that you have previous experience of commissioning. We often recruit people who come from different work backgrounds and find this adds value and new skills to our team; experience working within social care is useful however - either front-line delivery/management or Social Work.
We are looking for a Commissioning Manager (Permanent PO4) to join the Working Age Adults (WAA) Commissioning Team in Adults and Health. This is an exciting opportunity to join an established and exceptionally supportive and creative team, working together to provide good quality, person-centred accommodation and community services in Leeds for the benefit of Leeds citizens with support needs. Every day brings new opportunities to learn and is a great opportunity for someone passionate about ensuring people receive the care and support they should have.
Does this sound like you?
The new post-holder will be working within the Learning Disability sector within the WAA Team. The focus of this position is on taking a leadership role in supporting external providers through our contract management process to run good quality accommodation services. This involves celebrating providers’ strengths and achievements and providing support to improve any areas of challenge as a ‘critical friend’. This work is done in close partnership with Social Work and Health colleagues. There will also be opportunities to take part in wider commissioning activities, for example service consultations and reviews, to inform future service provision in the city. All of our roles across the team are flexible and the work programme is re-organised occasionally to make the most of everyone’s strengths.
The work programme for the post will consist of the following:
* Oversee contract management, quality assurance of a range of services and providers within Working Age Adults Commissioning.
* Line management, support and development of Senior Commissioning Officers, who themselves have a portfolio of services which they contract manage.
* Partnership work alongside health colleagues (ICB) and social care colleagues on shared outcomes and priorities (e.g. Transforming Care, LD Pooled budget, bespoke provision).
* Work on a wide range of contracts and commissioning work streams, primarily for Learning Disability.
* Work to achieve Value for Money of services, reviews and recommissioning of existing and new contracts, grants and services.
Key requirements include:
* Ability to lead on the team’s contract management process.
* Ability to develop productive working relationships which create respect, trust and confidence including being assertive and challenging when necessary.
* Ability to manage programmes and projects and lead project teams.
* Ability to mentor, support and develop staff within the WAA team to undertake successful contract management, VFM and commissioning activities.
* Ability to analyse and interrogate a range of varied and complex data using a variety of methods, including relevant IT software, to inform future delivery and planning.
* Ability to present complex information to colleagues and partners and navigate successful outcomes.
* Ability to improve service quality including challenging poor performance and support a culture that drives up standards and aspirations to achieve positive outcomes for users.
* Ability to understand, present and act upon complex financial information, achieve budget efficiencies and ensure value for money.
Line Manager: This post will be line managed by one of the Commissioning Programme Leaders in the LD Sector. We use matrix management.
Job Description
Job purpose
To assist the Commissioning Programme Leaders / Heads of Commissioning by undertaking aspects of cross-directorate commissioning and contract management at Principal Officer level.
To be responsible for the management of a portfolio of work which contributes to the delivery of one or more of the following:
* Service review, development and innovation
* Commissioning activity that contributes to the Directorate’s and Council’s priorities. Commissioning takes many forms and includes negotiating individual care packages, large scale reviews and procurements and working with others to improve the service offer.
* Development of strategy and policy relating to services for key client groups.
* Programme and contract management to maximise outcomes and to ensure value for money and quality.
You will lead the evaluation and performance management of contracts with commissioned services and play a key role in developing and maintaining productive relationships with service providers to achieve high quality services and value for money. Through your detailed knowledge and skills relevant to commissioning and contract management, you will demonstrate the leadership and qualities commensurate to the level of Principal Officer.
You will provide leadership within the commissioning function to ensure the proper financial management and performance assurance of such contracts. You will lead on the development of innovative ways of achieving value for money on an on-going basis. You will provide line management to Senior Commissioning Officer level roles, undertake staff appraisals and support the personal development of team members as required.
Responsibilities
* To play a lead role in the strategic review of services, commissioning of new services, re-commission / decommission existing services and to lead and facilitate joint working within the Directorate, across the Council and with external partners as appropriate.
* To take an active role in reviewing and planning work programmes and support other staff to engage and participate in planning and review activity.
* To undertake project and programme leadership of key areas of work, including working with Council colleagues and external partners to achieve desired outcomes to agreed (and often tight) deadlines.
* To manage and contribute to the delivery of collaborative partnerships and working relationships with providers, internal and external partners, elected members and key stakeholders in the city.
* To represent the team and coordinate the team’s work with the corporate procurement team on all issues related to corporate procurement procedures, working with partners and providers to deliver effective procurement outcomes.
* To contribute to the development of key policy and strategy relating to the commissioning of services.
* To oversee and contribute to the preparation and presentation of complex information in a variety of formats to a range of audiences at different levels, including preparing reports to support effective decision-making at a strategic and political level within the Council.
* To support the monitoring of the performance of contracts, service level agreements and grants relating to Adults and Health activity, ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in place for the effective financial and performance assurance of such contracts.
* To lead regular monitoring and contract management meetings associated with the portfolio of contracts and ensure that service delivery is achieving expected targets and outcomes remains compliant with the terms of the contracts.
* To work on behalf the team or represent the Programme Leader, on specified functional areas or work streams for the Directorate.
* To support PO6 Commissioning Programme Leaders in providing guidance and support to senior officers, elected members and staff across the Council in relation to one or more specialist areas, including deputising for the responsible PO6 officer at meetings and events, where required.
* To maintain a detailed understanding of the Council, Directorate and Partnership plans and priorities, including the implications for service areas.
* To undertake effective evaluation of projects and contracts, including data collection; collation and scrutiny of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and performance management information; benchmarking; report writing, and the implementation of practical outcomes and lessons learned.
* To lead and carry out effective consultation and engagement with service users and other stakeholders ensuring that the outcomes are used to influence commissioning, service design and delivery.
* To take responsibility for contract and programme management of a portfolio of services, ensuring effective relationship management with partners, value for money and achievement of quality standards and efficiency savings targets.
* To monitor and manage budget expenditure in relation to a portfolio of services.
* To participate in the allocation and management of contract and small grant funding in line with the Council’s values, ambitions and goals.
* To ensure compliance with any Governance requirements relating to the work of the service, including those relating to commissioning, procurement and financial management.
* To take a line management role of staff, including managing performance and attendance and assessing and meeting development needs through appraisals.
* To undertake supervision meetings, and to demonstrate strong and effective management in line with the Council’s values and standards.
* To support the identification of training needs within the team and to lead and participate in the development of activities necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills within the team.
* To ensure due regard is taken of equality and diversity when designing, delivering or reviewing policies, strategies, services and human resources and ensure that any mitigating actions are delivered.
* To carry out any other duties commensurate with the grade and required for the role.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
* Ability to undertake contract management activities with external suppliers.
* Ability to develop productive working relationships which create respect, trust and confidence.
* Ability to provide visible and effective leadership which empowers, enables and develops staff to achieve results.
* Ability to manage and monitor performance effectively.
* Ability to manage finances and work within a budget.
* Ability to engage effectively with a wide and diverse range of stakeholders including external partners and service users.
* Ability to develop and manage strategic partnerships involving various stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
* Ability to work flexibly across a range of simultaneous initiatives and as part of a larger team.
* Ability to analyse and interrogate a range of varied and complex data using a variety of methods, including relevant IT software, to inform future delivery and planning.
* Ability to manage complex programmes and projects and lead project teams.
* Ability to lead, coach and motivate individuals and teams.
* Ability to improve service quality and support a culture that drives up standards and performance.
* Ability to present information and reports on complex issues to a variety of audiences.
* Ability to think creatively and to solve problems in a constructive way.
* Ability to work to strict deadlines with conflicting priorities and to manage personal work and time effectively.
* Ability to interpret local / national strategy and apply it to work in Leeds.
* Ability to access and interpret local/national strategy and communicate this quickly and effectively to all interested parties.
* Detailed knowledge of appraisal and evaluation techniques. Advanced knowledge of programme and/or contract management principles and processes required to ensure outcomes are maximised and value for money achieved.
* Understanding of commissioning principles and practice
* A knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of relevant key agencies and stakeholders in the city.
* A knowledge of key strategic plans including the Health and Well Being Plan and Inclusive Growth Strategy.
* A detailed knowledge of financial, human and resource management.
* A knowledge of Governance requirements and the Council’s policies and procedures that would relate to key decision making.
* Experience of commissioning, this could be individual care packages or larger scale procurements, managing a care or support service or contract management of services.
* Experience of working at a senior level to manage varied communications with for example Council colleagues, Elected Members, external providers, delivery partners or other key stakeholders.
* Experience of working at a senior level with a range of internal and external partners to lead and deliver projects and programmes.
* Experience of working in a political environment and on politically sensitive issues.
* Experience of managing and controlling budgets and achieving budgetary targets.
* Experience of working at a senior level to manage the performance of contracts with external suppliers.
Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics
* Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
* Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
* Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
* Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
* Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
* Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
* Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
* Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
* Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
* The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
* A knowledge of the Council’s decision making processes.
* A knowledge of the Council’s Values and Leadership and Management standards.
* Experience of supervising, leading, coaching and motivating individuals.
* Experience of providing leadership in a team setting.
* Experience of conducting Equality Impact Assessments and ensuring that inclusion and equality objectives are met.
* Experience of working in a regulatory environment and working with or in provider services.
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