Commissioning Officer

Job Introduction

Job Title: Commissioning Officer (Children’s Services)

Salary: £39,152 - £42,839

Location: Lincolnshire, hybrid working available

Closing Date: 5th May 2026

Interviews: 20th May 2026

Lincolnshire County Council’s Children’s Services is looking for motivated, skilled and values‑driven Commissioning Officers to join our high‑performing Children’s Commissioning team. We are expanding our team and these roles offer the chance to make a genuine difference to children, young people and families across Lincolnshire. 

As a Commissioning Officer, you will design, develop and monitor services that support children, young people and families across Lincolnshire.

About the Roles

We have up to five Commissioning Officer roles available to fill - three permanent and two fixed-term until December 2027. 

You will work as part of a team of 40 supportive commissioning professionals, delivering the full commissioning cycle for a wide range of services including early years, family help, public health, mental health, SEND, alternative provision and social care. We can provide training and career development opportunities for people with the right skills and values.

Working collaboratively with colleagues, providers, partners and service users, you will:

 Contribute to needs analysis, service reviews and provider market shaping.

• Use data, insights and engagement to inform decision‑making.
• Support co‑production and meaningful involvement of children, young people and families in designing and improving services.
• Support the development of service specifications and outcome‑focused commissioning plans.
• Support commissioning in line with Council Contract Procurement Procedure Rules and the Procurement Act 2023.
• Help manage contracts, ensuring strong performance, quality and value for money.
• Work directly with providers, statutory agencies, schools and the voluntary sector to improve services.

These roles provide an excellent opportunity to gain experience across a diverse and ambitious commissioning environment.

About You

We are looking for people who are:

• Educated to degree level (not essential) or with equivalent relevant experience.
• Confident working with data, budgets, analysis and reporting.
• Strong communicators with excellent relationship‑building skills.
• Able to negotiate, challenge and influence effectively.
• Organised, proactive and able to manage competing priorities.
• Experienced in commissioning, contract management, project work or service improvement (public sector experience welcomed but not essential).
• Passionate about improving outcomes for children and families.

Whether you’re already working in commissioning or looking for a new challenge where you can develop your skills, we would love to hear from you.

Why Join Us?

You will be joining a Children’s Services rated Outstanding by Ofsted, within a commissioning team known for its supportive culture, ambition and commitment to continuous improvement.

We offer:

• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• Experience across a wide range of service areas.
• Flexible and hybrid working.
• Collaborative, friendly colleagues.
• Work that makes a real and lasting difference to children’s lives.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you share our commitment to ensuring every child has the best possible start in life, and you want to contribute to making it happen, we encourage you to apply.

If you would like to discuss this role, please email Mark Rainey, Strategic Commissioning Manager on mark.rainey@lincolnshire.gov.uk.  

Due to recent changes in immigration law in the UK we are unable to offer skilled worker visa sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the requirements.

PLEASE NOTE: It is imperative that your personal statement clearly states why you have applied, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role as set out in the Job Description (attached on LCC jobs Site) and what you feel you can bring to this role, the team and the wider County Council.

Please refer to our Job Information Pack here to support you in your application.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. Please also note: once an application is submitted it is final and cannot be amended. If you withdraw your application, it cannot be reinstated and you will not be able to submit another application for that vacancy. If you have an issue with your submitted application, please contact recruitment@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

A Smarter Working Employer

We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary.  Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.

Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.

Fluency Duty 

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do. We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.