Job Introduction We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council . We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all. The salary for this position is £55,486 per annum based on a 36 hour working week. This role offers hybrid working with an expectation that at least two days per week may be spent in locations across Surrey. This includes one day a week with the team in Woking, with another spent in Surrey dependent on business requirements. Please note, this role will involve some travel to other sites around Surrey, therefore you will need to have the willingness and ability to travel around the county to meet the demands of the role. This is a secondment contract opportunity to provide maternity cover and will run up until 31 st March 2027 . Please discuss with your Line Manager before submitting your application. Our Offer to You 26 days’ holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years’ service Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave A generous local government salary related pension Up to 5 days of carer’s leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year Paternity, adoption and dependents leave An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents Surrey County Council is on an ambitious and exciting journey and we are looking for a Commissioning Manager to join us and support our transformation activity. The Transformation team is at the centre of children's services in Surrey, driving change and innovation with a relentless focus on improving outcomes. At the heart of our ambition to develop a deeper understanding of our communities and the challenges they face - but also recognise their strengths, assets and aspirations. We are looking for a passionate professional with strong commissioning skills who can bring experience of working collaboratively across teams and services for the benefit of babies, children and families and the communities in which they live. The Best Start in Life programme is the governments 0-5 strategy which aims to break the link between background and success so that every child can achieve and thrive. The ambition is to raise the healthiest generation children and ensure every family can give their child the very best start in life. The government will measure success through the Good Level of Development assessments at the end of reception. The programme focuses on family support, access to early education and childcare, and the quality of early education and childcare (including the reception year) The success of the programme is based on system-wide working and the partnerships in local areas. The government has published Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies guidance for local authorities to deliver the programme. About the Role The Best Start in Life Commissioning Manager is responsible for leading the strategic commissioning of services that improve outcomes for children from conception to age five and their families. The role ensures that services are needs‑led, evidence‑informed, integrated and value for money, with a strong focus on prevention, reducing inequalities and improving early childhood outcomes. You will work collaboratively with health, public health, early education, early help and VCFS partners, translating national policy and local priorities into effective service design and delivery. You will also be required to manage budgets and commissioned providers, as well as oversee performance and outcomes. You will be working with friendly and supportive colleagues who are committed to delivering excellent outcomes We are looking for an experienced Children's and Families Commissioning Officer to take this programme forward. In this role you will need to find innovative ways to collaborate across the teams, understand the importance of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI); and believe that every family, baby and child should have the best start in life. Your Application In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills, experience and align with our behaviours : Experience of managing contracts, budgets and service performance with an understanding and regard for the wider Commissioning and Transformation agenda An understanding of the remits across Early Education, Health, Public Health, and Early Help Ability to lead and manage projects working within a project team environment, working collaboratively to bring teams together Experience of commissioning or service development in children’s services, public health or health- using innovation and creativity to deliver good outcomes Knowledge and experience of operating within a complex environment Commitment to inclusion, knowledge of early identification and intervention for children and families To apply, we request that you submit a CV and personal statement. Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description & Our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey. The job advert closes at 23:59 on the 2nd July 2026. Contact Us Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. Please contact Julie Barker. An enhanced DBS ‘Disclosure and Barring Service’ check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) check will be required for this role. Local Government Reorganisation Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities. Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council Our Commitment We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs

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