Lead Commissioner, Mental Health & Learning Disabilities

About this job

At Barking and Dagenham, we are ambitious for our residents and committed to creating opportunities for everyone to live healthy, independent and fulfilling lives. We are looking for an experienced and visionary Lead Commissioner for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities to join our Adults Commissioning team and play a key role in transforming services for some of our most vulnerable residents.

This is a high-profile strategic leadership role with responsibility for all aspects of commissioning services for adults with mental health needs, learning disabilities and autism. You will lead a portfolio that includes supported accommodation, residential care, homecare and community-based support services, ensuring that commissioned services are innovative, person-centred and deliver meaningful outcomes for residents. As Lead Commissioner, you will shape and drive commissioning strategies that support the Council's vision for prevention, independence and resilience. Working closely with operational services, health partners, providers, voluntary sector organisations, service users and carers, you will lead the development of commissioning plans that are informed by evidence, focused on outcomes and responsive to changing needs.

You will oversee the full commissioning cycle, from needs assessment and market development through to procurement, contract management, service redesign and quality assurance. You'll lead complex transformation programmes, contribute to strategic decision-making, and ensure the delivery of savings and efficiencies while maintaining high-quality support for residents.

Partnership working sits at the heart of this role. You will work closely with health colleagues across the system, including the Integrated Care Board, to develop integrated solutions that improve outcomes and reduce reliance on institutional and inpatient care. You will play a key role in ensuring residents can access safe, high-quality support within their communities and remain as independent as possible.

You will manage and develop commissioning staff while providing strategic leadership across a matrix-managed commissioning function. Through strong governance, effective programme management and commercial awareness, you will ensure services are delivering value for money while meeting the diverse needs of residents.

This role offers the opportunity to make a genuine difference by shaping the future of mental health and learning disability services within one of London's most ambitious boroughs.

If you are passionate about improving lives, influencing system-wide change and leading strategic commissioning programmes, this is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking organisation that is committed to delivering better outcomes for residents.

About you

We are seeking an experienced commissioning leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for adults with mental health needs, learning disabilities and autism. You will be a strategic thinker with strong commercial and partnership skills, capable of translating vision into delivery and achieving measurable impact for residents.

You will bring significant experience of leading large-scale commissioning programmes within local government, health, social care or related sectors. You will have a strong understanding of the full commissioning cycle and a proven track record of developing and delivering commissioning strategies, service redesign projects and transformation programmes that improve outcomes while achieving value for money.

We are looking for someone who can confidently operate in complex environments and build productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior leaders, health partners, providers, community organisations and people with lived experience. You will be an influential communicator who can build consensus, negotiate effectively and inspire confidence across partnership networks.

You will have substantial knowledge of commissioning for mental health, learning disabilities and autism services, alongside expertise in procurement, contract management, provider assurance and quality monitoring. You will be confident using data, market intelligence and evidence to inform strategic decision-making and shape service development.

Strong leadership skills are essential. You will have experience managing teams and leading through change, creating an environment where colleagues feel supported, empowered and motivated to succeed. You will be comfortable working in matrix structures, managing competing priorities and delivering high-profile projects within challenging timescales and financial constraints.

You will understand the importance of prevention, early intervention and strengths-based approaches that support people to live independently and achieve better outcomes. You will be passionate about co-production and committed to ensuring that services are shaped by the experiences and aspirations of the people who use them.

Most importantly, you will embody our DRIVE values every day:

Dream Big You think strategically, innovate confidently and look beyond traditional approaches to create sustainable solutions that improve lives.

Respect You build meaningful relationships, listen to different perspectives and ensure residents, carers and partners are valued and heard.

Integrity You act with openness, professionalism and accountability, making evidence-based decisions that deliver the best outcomes.

Value Diversity You champion inclusion, equality and fairness, recognising that diverse perspectives strengthen decision-making and service delivery.

Explore Possibilities You are curious, collaborative and solution-focused, constantly seeking opportunities to improve services and achieve better results.

This is an opportunity for a motivated and ambitious commissioning professional who wants to influence strategic priorities, drive service transformation and make a lasting difference for residents across Barking and Dagenham. If you are ready to lead change and deliver impact, we would love to hear from you.

About us

Barking & Dagenham is changing. It Starts Here.

Think you know Barking and Dagenham? Think again. While this small corner of east London might have a reputation for needing development, scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find active communities and a place that consistently punches above its weight. The borough is changing – and changing for the better. And It Starts Here.

Yes, the borough has its challenges. But it’s on the cusp of something exciting. With one of the youngest populations in the country, ambitions are high and rightly so. 98% of our schools are rated Good or Outstanding and every year more of our talented teenagers get into Russell Group Universities and hotly sought after apprenticeship schemes.

We have award winning parks, centuries old manor houses full of relics and artifacts you can go and see, and the ruins of one of Anglo-Saxon England's most powerful and wealthiest religious sites. We’re even bringing beavers and white storks to the borough to help rewild the local landscape and boost biodiversity.

Over the past few years, we’ve been working hard to improve how we deliver services and support our community. From tackling inequality to making sure our services are the best they can be, we’re focused on what matters most to local people.

We’re creating the conditions for people to thrive - so everyone can enjoy a good quality of life, feel proud to call this place home, and be part of something bigger.

#ItStartsHere - with our streets, our schools, our neighbourhoods. And with your application to join our determined team who are passionate about doing what’s best for the future of Barking and Dagenham.

As an Investors in People Gold Award employer, we’re serious about supporting our staff. From flexible working, professional training and career development to wellbeing initiatives, we want our people to feel valued and supported in everything they do.

Additional Information

We’re committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any adjustments or support at any stage, please contact the Hiring Manager to discuss your needs.