Senior Commissioning Manager | £51,356 - £54,495

Position reference:50135052


Directorate:Children's Services| Service: Commissioning Teams


Salary :£51,356 - £54,495


Working Arrangements : A gile Working


Hours per week : 37


Contract type: Per manent


We are happy to talk flexible working arrangements with you, please get in touch .


See our range of Employee Rewards:


Closing date : 05/06/2026a t 23:59

This post requires an Enhanced DBS Check


If you are currently living overseas or have lived overseas in the last five years please be aware, if you are the preferred candidate for the post, you will be required to apply for an overseas criminal records check from the country/countries you have resided in. If you experience difficulty in obtaining an overseas criminal record check please email

When applying, please ensure you are prepared to start work with all the necessary legal documents, such as a valid visa, relevant to the type of work you will be undertaking. Please be aware that our organisation does not possess a Home Office license and, as a result, is unable to provide sponsorship for anyone seeking a visa as a skilled or temporary migrant worker.

Pensions Regulations have provisions to reduce pension payments in certain circumstances of those who return to work within local government service. If you are in receipt of a pension upon commencing employment with the authority, this may affect your pension entitlements and you should therefore seek advice from the relevant Pensions Authority.

At Barnsley Council you can start a career that makes a real difference to people's lives, helping our council and residents to be the best they can be.

We're an award-winning council and one of the biggest employers in the borough, supporting around 243,000 people. We put people at the heart of everything we do, and that includes our employees. As part of the team, we offer lots of benefits and rewards to support you to thrive and grow, like flexible working, employee discounts, support for your health and wellbeing, and opportunities for training and development to grow your career and develop your skills.


There's so much happening in our thriving borough, and now's the perfect time to join our excellent Children's Commissioning team as we work to make Barnsley the place of possibilities.

• We're an award-winning team and one of the biggest employers in the borough supporting around 243,000 people.
• Working at Barnsley Council means being part of a team that makes a real difference to people's lives, where you can develop the skills you need to make change happen.
• If you join the team you'll receive great pay alongside an excellent pension scheme. With flexible working we'll also support your work/life balance, helping you to adjust your hours and take time off when you need it.
• We'll help you to develop your career and grow your skills with opportunities for training and development.
• There's so much happening in our thriving borough and your talent and skills will help us make .
• Key to our success is working with our residents, partners, businesses and organisations and building these partnerships to bring about change in Barnsley.

About the Post:


We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Senior Commissioning Manager to lead strategic commissioning across children's services. This is a key leadership role responsible for developing and delivering high-quality, cost-effective services that improve outcomes for children, young people, and families.

You will play a pivotal role in shaping commissioning strategies, managing key provider relationships, and ensuring services are responsive, evidence-based, and deliver value for money.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of commissioning strategies across children's services (e.g. early help, SEND, looked after children, placement sufficiency).

• Drive transformation programmes and service redesign to improve outcomes and efficiency.

• Manage complex procurement processes in line with regulatory requirements.

• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with providers, internal stakeholders, and partner agencies.

• Oversee contract management, performance monitoring, and quality assurance frameworks.

• Use data, intelligence, and outcomes-based approaches to inform commissioning decisions.

• Ensure services reflect national policy, local priorities, and best practice.

• Lead and support a team of commissioning professionals.

About You


We are looking for a strategic thinker and leader with a strong track record in children's commissioning.


You will have:

• Significant experience in commissioning within children's services (local authority or similar setting).

• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, policy, and statutory responsibilities

• Proven ability to lead complex commissioning programmes and deliver measurable outcomes.

• Experience of procurement, contract management, and market development.

• Excellent stakeholder engagement and partnership working skills.

• Strong analytical and financial management capability.

• Leadership experience, with the ability to motivate and develop teams.

What We Offer

• Flexible and hybrid working options

• Professional development and career progression opportunities

• A supportive and collaborative leadership environment
• The opportunity to make a real difference to children and families

Please use the documents below to help support you with your application form.

Job Profile:


Vacancy Exposure Profile:

Please ensure you view the job profile for this role, as you will need to demonstrate in your application form how you meet the required criteria.


We welcome the opportunity to have a chat about the role and are happy to address any questions you may have about flexible working arrangements, including as a result of caring responsibilities.


We're committed to creating a workplace where differences are valued and everyone truly feels able to be themselves. If you have any support needs during the recruitment process, please let us know.

CV's are not accepted for this role.

At Barnsley Council, we believe in second chances and value diversity. Our recruitment process is inclusive, and we welcome applicants with past convictions. We're committed to fairness and do not discriminate. Join us in building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. #InclusiveHiring #SecondChances"

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