Interim Head of Commissioning and Programmes

Job Description

Venn Group is working with a Local Authority in London to recruit an Interim Head of Commissioning and Programmes, to support their Regeneration and Economic Development efforts.The purpose of this role is to lead the directorates commissioning function and to ensure the overall co-ordination and delivery of its projects and programmes.The specific responsibilities of the post relate to: the end-to-end commissioning cycle across the key service blocks contributing to Regeneration and Economic Development, to drive outcomes and accountability across the system; the management and deliveryof key projects and programmes; and co-ordination and engagement between the function and the rest of the council, including acting as the interface with key Member and Officer processes and decision making.Location:Remote workingPeriod:6 months initial Hours:Full timeIR35 Status: Inside Responsibilities:

• To develop, agree and keep updated the councils overall framework for regeneration and development in the borough, including its theory, strategic approach, narrative, key messages and desired outcomes
• To lead and manage the overall commissioning process for the directorate, including responsibility for the production, implementation and annual renewal of the commissioning mandates for relevant council initiatives and LATCOs (in respect of employment,skills and housing support)
• To oversee the agreement of the annual business plans for these initiatives and to ensure effective delivery against these plans
• To oversee and co-ordinate the necessary steps to secure key decisions through both Member and Senior Officer process (including through the maintenance of a detailed forward plan)
• To act as a key point of contact between the team and the rest of the council, particularly in respect of core functions, such as strategy and finance (including leading the engagement of the commissioning function with the Councils budget setting process)
• To initiate, design and (where appropriate) lead the delivery of specific projects necessary to support the achievement of directorate outcomes or to address specific issues or challenges which put them at risk
• To produce and maintain any such documentation as is needed to communicate the goals, plans, actions and impacts of the function (working with corporate strategy and communications colleagues)
• To ensure effective co-ordination across the key service block, as well as building strong networks to other parts of the council (and with external partners, where appropriate

Essential Experience:

• An understanding of key themes including regeneration, place-shaping, economic development, housing, employment, skills etc
• An understanding to the key elements of effective commissioning and a track record of commissioning services or programmes
• Ability to shape, manage and drive projects / programmes, to deliver clearly identified benefits
• Exemplary written and oral communication skills deployed appropriately in a range of contexts and with diverse audiences
• Superb interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, with experience of building effective personal relationships across organisations and systems

If you would like more information on the role, please contact Jason Woodhouse, Ethan Weatherby, David Harney or Rob Westbury on and email your CV to