Job Details

Job Title: Head of Brokerage

Service Area: Adult Social Care – Placements & Brokerage Service
Location: Waltham Forest (Hybrid Working Available)
Salary: Competitive (Senior Manager Level)
Contract: 3 – 6 months with possibility of extension

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About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Head of Brokerage to lead and transform our Adult Social Care Brokerage Service in Waltham Forest. This is a pivotal senior leadership role responsible for ensuring that adults with care and support needs are matched to high-quality, cost-effective services that promote independence, wellbeing, and positive outcomes.

The Brokerage Service plays a critical role in connecting individuals with appropriate social care support. This includes sourcing care packages, managing placements, negotiating with providers, ensuring value for money, and maintaining quality assurance across commissioned services.

This role is also central to a major service transformation programme, aimed at modernising brokerage processes, improving efficiency, strengthening market management, and enhancing governance and systems.

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Key Purpose of the Role

• Lead the strategic and operational delivery of the Brokerage Service
• Ensure effective matching of individuals to appropriate care and support services
• Drive best value and tight financial control across commissioned care packages
• Lead service transformation and continuous improvement initiatives
• Manage relationships with providers, commissioners, and senior stakeholders
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, quality, and regulatory standards
• Build and lead a high-performing, motivated brokerage team

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Key Responsibilities

Service Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the delivery of a high-quality, person-centred brokerage service
• Ensure care placements are safe, appropriate, and outcome-focused
• Develop and implement service plans aligned to council priorities
• Monitor performance and implement improvements where required

Financial Management & Value for Money

• Maintain robust control of commissioned spend across care placements
• Deliver ongoing savings through effective negotiation and review of packages
• Ensure all placements demonstrate clear value for money
• Challenge providers and care packages to ensure efficiency and appropriateness

Transformation & Improvement

• Lead the transformation of brokerage systems, processes, and governance
• Support the delivery of major change programmes within Adult Social Care
• Introduce innovative approaches to service delivery and market management
• Use data and intelligence to inform decision-making and improvements

Market & Provider Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with care providers and suppliers
• Lead high-value and complex negotiations with external providers
• Ensure the care market is responsive, sustainable, and well-managed
• Oversee contract performance and escalate issues where necessary

Team Leadership

• Lead, manage, and develop the Brokerage and Placements team
• Ensure staff are skilled, supported, and performing effectively
• Deliver recruitment, performance management, and workforce development
• Promote a positive, collaborative, and high-accountability culture

Safeguarding, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure safeguarding principles are embedded across all brokerage activity
• Identify, assess, and manage operational and financial risks
• Maintain compliance with legislation, statutory guidance, and council policy
• Ensure a safe and accountable service environment

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with senior leaders, elected Members, commissioners, and partners
• Provide expert advice on complex social care and commissioning decisions
• Manage politically sensitive issues with professionalism and diplomacy
• Build strong internal and external relationships to support service outcomes

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About You

We are looking for a senior leader with significant experience in social care commissioning, brokerage, or service transformation. You will bring strong analytical, financial, and negotiation skills, alongside the ability to lead teams and influence at a senior level.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven experience leading complex service change or transformation programmes
• Strong background in social care commissioning, brokerage, or procurement
• Experience managing significant budgets and delivering financial efficiencies
• Demonstrable ability to negotiate with providers and manage supplier relationships
• Experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams
• Strong understanding of social care legislation and policy
• Ability to analyse data and use insight to drive decisions and improvements
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills

2 days remote, 3 days in the office