Commissioning Manager
Fixed Term Contract – 23 months
Grade 6 – £54,495- £64,811
Consultation grade – subject to formal evaluation under the Pay Equity Review
Working 36.5 hours per week
Birmingham City Council is seeking a values-driven, inclusive Commissioning Manager – with a track record of making a positive impact for citizens – to lead a major, system‑wide programme focused on supporting vulnerable residents into sustainable employment.
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
What we’re looking for
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
Why join us?
This role offers a rare opportunity to lead a significant city‑wide programme, shape employment support at scale and make a tangible difference to the lives of Birmingham residents facing barriers to work.
Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
For any informal enquiries please contact Michael Walsh on michael.walsh@birmingham.gov.uk
Please upload your up-to-date CV via the attachments part of your application, this is required for shortlisting. Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV attached
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, andwe arecommitted 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 withUK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.
Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You can view our Corporate Safeguarding Policy| Birmingham City Council here.
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