Interim Head of Service – All Age Commissioning – AR

Job Details

Interim Head of Service – All Age Commissioning

The Opportunity
This is a critical short-term leadership role providing cover following the resignation of the substantive postholder. The Council requires immediate leadership capacity to ensure continuity of service delivery and maintain strategic oversight across commissioning activity.

Key Responsibilities
You will:
• Provide leadership and direction across all-age commissioning services
• Maintain continuity of service delivery and team performance during a period of transition
• Lead key programme work, including supported living and commissioning frameworks
• Support and develop a team that is currently building confidence following restructure
• Ensure clear prioritisation and delivery across commissioning activity

Context and Challenges
The commissioning function is still stabilising following restructure. Teams are in place but require clear leadership, direction and support to operate effectively and confidently.
This role is both operational and strategic, requiring a leader who can stabilise the function, maintain delivery and provide assurance to senior stakeholders.

Person Profile
You will bring:
• Extensive experience in adult social care commissioning leadership roles
• A strong understanding of all-age commissioning models and frameworks
• Experience of leading teams through periods of transition and change
• The ability to quickly establish credibility and provide clear direction
• A practical, delivery-focused leadership style

Working Environment and Culture
The service is in the early stages of cultural development following its recent restructure. While the foundations are in place, there is a need to build confidence, embed ways of working and establish a strong delivery culture.
Neil Cox operates a leadership style that provides autonomy and trust, giving individuals the space to deliver. However, there is an expectation that interim leaders will bring clarity, pace and structure, supporting teams while also holding them to account for delivery.
Hybrid working is in place, typically with 1–2 days per week on site, though flexibility is expected in line with service needs.

Next Steps
The Council is seeking to move at pace, with interviews available immediately and flexibility to accommodate suitable candidates.