Assistant Commissioning Manager

Salary details: £ - £

Our Children’s Services Department is one of the largest in the country. We are determined to continue providing the best possible service through creative and trailblazing innovations and we need people who can help us do just that.

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a dynamic, innovative and motivated Assistant Commissioning Manager (SEND) who is committed to improving outcomes for children and young people. We are looking for someone who is positive, has experience of market engagement and who can work at pace.

As Assistant Commissioning Manager (SEND), you will work within the commissioning team and be a key player in Commissioning SEND functions. You need to be part of commissioning leadership, develop and implement commissioning plans, coordinate market and provider engagement, and assure that new and revised arrangements support the SEND Reform Plan’s objectives.

You will be able to navigate through complexities and have a clear outcomes focused vision. This role will help drive improvements for children and young people with SEND in Derbyshire. 

It will be a real chance to work collaboratively with Leaders and Stakeholders across Children’s Services, the wider Authority and with Health colleagues and bring influence to the direction of SEND strategies.

The post will be based within Strategic Commissioning, Quality and Performance directorate in Children’s Services. This post is fixed term, until 31 March 2029, due to finite funding as part of the SEND reform work. (Any internal applicants who wish to be considered for this as a secondment opportunity will need to seek agreement from their line manager before applying.)

As Assistant Commissioning Manager (SEND), you will lead on monitoring and management of a number of current and new frameworks/contracts that are being implemented across the service.

You will be working with a wider commissioning team to collectively achieve effective and sustainable change, improved outcomes for children and families, creating efficiencies, which supports the Enterprising Council Strategy, Children Services Strategic Priorities and the Council Plan.

In return you will be offered a comprehensive reward package which includes:

• Competitive salary
• A generous Local Government Pension Scheme
• 27-32 days annual leave per year (pro rata to the contract)
• Flexible working scheme with provision for up to an additional 2 days off per month
• Continued professional development
• Access to health and wellbeing support services – and much more besides!

For more detailed information about the above please contact Louise Frensham, Head of Service for Commissioning, on 01629 535934.

Provisional Interview Date : week commencing 7th December 2026

Due to this post having administrative privileges within the Council’s IT systems, and in order to comply with the Public Services Network requirements, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Basic criminal record check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Click here to see our policy on criminal background checks.

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

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We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.