Lead Commissioner

The purpose of this role is to deliver a Lead Commissioner service within the Children, Families and Education department, with potential responsibility such as education, Children with Disabilities, Early Help, social care and SEND as required.To improve the strategic commissioning, procurement and contract management practice to deliver good service outcomes for children and young people and sustainable efficiencies. To identify and deliver robust and innovative commissioning plans for the category, understanding the wider strategic vision and plans for Croydon. To work alongside procurement colleagues and service teams (SEND, social care, education etc) to design and deliver innovative commissioning solutions. To provide strategic contract management support and ensure effective contract compliance for a given portfolio. Forward planning of all strategic (£100k+) commissioning and contracting with the relevant service teams.

· Knowledge of policy and legislation relevant to Children's services, including education, SEND, children's social care · Knowledge of the children's services market and contracting models within the sector · Knowledge of EU procurement regulations and best practice related to public procurement · Key elements of the commissioning and procurement cycle · Evidence of ability to build and manage effective and resilient relationships and partnerships inside and outside of the organisation · Excellent negotiation skills with evidence of their effective use and application to achieve objectives · Senior level experience of commissioning ideally within children's services · Experience of managing complex contracts to deliver service improvements and ensure value for money · Experience of strategy development and service redesign through all stages of the project lifecycle (development of needs analysis, vision, business case, options development and implementation, performance monitoring) · Experience of engaging with services to drive and manage change and deliver the strategic priorities of an organisation / partnership · Experience of line management

Croydon Council's priorities The Council balances its books, listens to residents, and delivers good sustainable services

• Get a grip on the finances and make the council financially sustainable
• Become a council which listens to, respects and works in partnership with Croydon's diverse communities and businesses
• Strengthen collaboration and joint working with partner organisations and the voluntary, community and faith sectors
• Ensure good governance is embedded and adopt best practice
• Develop our workforce to deliver in a manner that respects the diversity of our communities
Key business plan outcomes:
• Croydon is a place of opportunity for business, earning and learning
• Children and young people in Croydon have the chance to thrive, learn and fulfil their potential
• Croydon is a cleaner, safer and healthier place, a borough we're proud to call home
• People can lead healthier and independent lives for longer
• Croydon Council's new ways of working
Equal Opportunities Statement Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role. Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The Successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, if the role requires one.