Service Manager - Childrens & Public Health Contracts & Quality

Job Introduction

Service Manager – Children’s & Public Health Contracts and Quality

People Commissioning 

Are you ready to make a positive difference?

We are looking for an ambitious and forward-thinking Service Manager for the Children’s & Public Health Contracts and Quality function. This is your chance to ensure that contracts deliver outcomes that truly matter for our children, young people and communities.

This role sits within the Commissioning & Integration Service and covers commissioned services across Children’s Services and Public Health. You will be at the heart of contract management, building relationships and working closely with senior leaders, providers and partner organisations so that standards of provision are safe, high quality and deliver best value. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, love solving complex challenges and have the vision to turn theory into action, then we want to hear from you. 

Key Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership and coordination for a portfolio of commissioned Children’s Services and Public Health services within the Contracts & Quality Management function.
• Support the development and delivery of Commissioning Strategies and Intentions for Children’s Services and Public Health, working closely with Strategic Commissioning colleagues to ensure alignment between commissioning and contracting.
• Lead the development and day‑to‑day management of contract and quality management systems and processes across Children’s and Public Health commissioned services.
• Lead the management of quality, safety, safeguarding concerns and complaints, acting as the Commissioning & Integration lead in complex safeguarding and quality investigations.
• Lead engagement and co‑production of quality improvement initiatives with providers, children, young people, families, communities and the wider market.
• Support, with the Head of Service, the development of contracting approaches that maximise outcomes for children, young people and population health priorities, informed by evidence, need and best practice.
• Promote creative, innovative and flexible approaches to contract and quality management, providing recommendations that support service redesign, commissioning and decommissioning decisions.
• Prepare high‑quality reports, briefings and business cases on complex contract and quality matters for senior leaders, governance boards, scrutiny and partnership forums.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Children’s Services, Bradford Children and Family Trust, Public Health, Health & Wellbeing and wider Council services to support service development and continuous improvement.
• Provide line management to Contract Managers, including workload prioritisation, performance management, staff development and wellbeing.
• Proactively manage internal and external stakeholders, providing expert professional advice and guidance.
• Act as a subject matter expert, maintaining up‑to‑date knowledge of national legislation, regulation, policy and best practice relevant to Children’s Services and Public Health, ensuring this is embedded in contractual and quality assurance arrangements.
• Support strong collaboration and cross‑team working between commissioning, contracting and quality functions.
• Monitor and manage budgets within the Children’s and Public Health contracts portfolio, ensuring value for money and financial sustainability.
• Develop, monitor and act upon performance, quality and outcome metrics for commissioned services.
• Deputise for the Head of Service – Strategic Contracts & Quality at internal, system‑wide and regional meetings as required.

About You

You will bring strong operational leadership skills and a clear understanding of contracts and quality management within Children’s Services and/or Public Health.

You will have:

• Experience in contracts, commissioning, procurement and/or quality management within Children’s Services, Public Health or a related statutory setting.
• Strong knowledge of legislative, regulatory and safeguarding frameworks, including those relevant to children, young people and public health services.
• Proven experience of managing provider performance, quality improvement, safeguarding and risk.
• Experience of leading and supporting staff, including performance management and professional development.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills, with the ability to work effectively across organisational and system boundaries.
• Experience of managing or contributing to budget and financial oversight.
• A Level 7 qualification (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline.
• A clear commitment to co‑production, equality, diversity and continuous improvement.

What We Offer

• A senior operational leadership role with significant responsibility across Children’s and Public Health commissioning and quality.
• The opportunity to improve outcomes for children, young people, families and local communities.
• A supportive, collaborative management environment with strong partnership working.
• Competitive terms and conditions, including: 
  • Generous annual leave entitlement
  • Local Government Pension Scheme
  • Flexible and hybrid working arrangements

How to Apply

If you are interested in joining our team and would like some further information, please contact Helen Mason on email helen.mason@bradford.gov.uk.

Employee Offer

Why work for Bradford Council? Find out why by taking a look at Our Employee Offer.pdf 

Equal Opportunities 

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to thrive. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process to support your application, please let us know, and we will work with you to meet your needs.

 The RESPECT Allyship Programme is available to all staff, which offers the opportunity to learn more about the diverse communities & groups and provides added benefits and resources to its members.