Commissioning Manager

The primary purpose of the role is to lead on the delivery of Birmingham's Connect to Work Programme, supporting young people and adults with disabilities and/or complex barriers to access and maintain employment. Whilst the initial fixed-term contract is for a 23 month period it is anticipated that the programme will operate until the end of March 2030. This is a high-profile leadership role requiring strong commissioning expertise, programme management capability and a sound understanding of partnership working, employment pathways and inclusion. What you'll be responsible for

• Leading the commissioning and delivery of the Connect to Work employment pathways programme
• Managing complex multi-year budgets, contracts and performance frameworks
• Shaping and managing provider markets across employment, skills, health and support services
• Working collaboratively with West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), NHS, employment and skills providers and voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector (VCFSE) partners
• Using data and intelligence to drive outcomes and continuous improvement
• Ensuring compliance and quality assurance for the delivery of supported employment programmes (Individual Placement & Support - IPS, Supported Employment Quality Framework - SEQF)
• Ensuring safeguarding, equality and inclusion are embedded throughout service delivery
• Managing staff and resources to deliver measurable outcomes for residents
  
  You will bring:
• Degree-level qualification or significant equivalent experience
• Proven experience delivering complex, large-scale commissioning or transformation programmes
• Strong understanding of employment and skills pathways for vulnerable young people and adults
• Experience of partnership working and influencing across multiple organisations
• Strong analytical, performance management and financial management skills
• Demonstrable commitment to co-production, inclusion and safeguarding
  
  We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the communities we serve. Our data tells us that for this level of role, ethnic minorities are underrepresented and therefore we will use positive action to support us to achieve diverse shortlists. This may mean that recruitment times are a little longer, but we think this is worth it to achieve our aim.
Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people. We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application. A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken. Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed., Working for Birmingham City Council is more than just a job; it's about making life better for the 1 million plus people who live and work in the city., The Council is a fantastic place to work. You will find an organisation that is both challenging and supportive; with a leadership impatiently adventurous in its pursuit of excellence. There is a clear vision which is ensuring that the Council is working for communities today and building for tomorrow, we focus our resources on five key priorities:
• A Prosperous Birmingham: through a focus on inclusive economic growth, tackling unemployment, attracting inward investment, and maximising the benefits of the Commonwealth Games.
• An Inclusive Birmingham: through a focus on tackling poverty and inequality, empowering citizens, promoting diversity and civic pride, and supporting and enabling all children and young people to thrive.
• A Safe Birmingham: through a focus on making the city safer, safeguarding vulnerable citizens, increasing affordable housing, and tackling homelessness.
• A Healthy Birmingham: through a focus on tackling health inequalities, encouraging physical activity and healthy living, supporting mental health, and improving outcomes for adults with disabilities and older people.
• A Green Birmingham: through a focus on street cleanliness, improving air quality, continuing the route to net zero, and becoming a city of nature.
We see the Council's role as providing strategic leadership - that's being able to visualise a new future for the city and equipping others to share our vision. We want to ensure the provision of services for all, so we can support those least able to support themselves by working with partners and putting citizens and neighbourhoods at the heart of our decision-making. We are always looking for people who put the customer at the centre of their approach, with a commitment to excellence to help us achieve our vision. We will support you to develop and thrive in your role, building a pathway for long-term success, with lots of development opportunities, such as apprenticeships.

In return, we offer you excellent terms and conditions, generous annual leave, a great pension scheme, well-being support, annual travel passes and discounts at a number of city centre establishments.