Director of Commissioning, Policy & Improvement
Director Band 1
Children's Services | London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Lead transformation. Drive innovation. Shape better outcomes for children and families.
Tower Hamlets is one of the UK's most dynamic and diverse boroughs, with ambitious plans for children, young people and families. As we continue to transform services and strengthen our partnerships across health, education and the community sector, we are seeking an exceptional leader to join us as our Director of Commissioning, Policy & Improvement.
This is a critical leadership role at the heart of Children's Services, offering the opportunity to influence strategy, shape system-wide reform and deliver lasting improvements for some of the country's most diverse communities.
Working as a key member of the Children's Services Leadership Team, you will lead commissioning, transformation, policy, performance and improvement activity across the directorate, ensuring services are innovative, financially sustainable and relentlessly focused on improving outcomes.
About the role
Reporting directly to the Corporate Director of Children's Services, you will provide strategic leadership across a broad and influential portfolio including:
- Children's Commissioning
- Strategy, Policy & Improvement
- Children's Services Transformation and Reform Programmes
- Tower Hamlets Arts and Music Education Service (THAMES)
- Contract Catering Services
- Children's Safeguarding Partnership
- Directorate Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Leadership
You will play a leading role in shaping services across the wider children's system, working closely with partners across local government, health, education and the voluntary sector.
The role acts as the principal Children's Services lead for commissioning within the North East London Integrated Care System (NEL ICS), helping to drive genuinely integrated approaches to supporting children, young people and families.
A role with real impact
This is a unique opportunity to:
- Lead major transformation and improvement programmes across Children's Services.
- Shape the delivery of national reforms including Families First, SEND reform, Best Start in Life, Youth Justice and other government priorities.
- Develop innovative commissioning strategies that improve outcomes and deliver value for money.
- Drive service redesign, efficiency and financial sustainability.
- Lead strategic planning, research, intelligence, analytics and performance functions.
- Strengthen safeguarding arrangements and partnership governance.
- Build effective collaboration across health, education and community sectors.
- Secure external funding and maximise investment in local services.
What you'll do
As Director of Commissioning, Policy & Improvement, you will:
- Provide strategic leadership across commissioning, policy, performance and transformation.
- Lead integrated commissioning for children's health and care services across Tower Hamlets.
- Coordinate and oversee major reform programmes and service redesign initiatives.
- Ensure commissioning is rooted in co-production, evidence and community need.
- Champion innovation and continuous improvement across all services.
- Lead preparation for inspections and support successful regulatory outcomes.
- Drive the use of research, insight, data science and analytics to improve decision-making.
- Oversee substantial budgets and identify opportunities for efficiency and reinvestment.
- Lead and manage contracts and partnerships to ensure high-quality service delivery.
- Promote equality, inclusion and social mobility through all areas of service delivery.
- Deputise for the Corporate Director of Children's Services when required.
About you
We are looking for an accomplished and influential leader who combines strategic vision with strong operational delivery.
You will bring:
Essential experience
- Significant senior leadership experience within a large and complex organisation.
- A successful track record of commissioning, transformation and service improvement.
- Experience of leading large-scale change programmes and organisational reform.
- Proven success in delivering financially sustainable improvements and efficiencies.
- Experience of building strong partnerships across public sector, health and community organisations.
- Experience of working effectively with elected members, senior leaders and external stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and statutory requirements.
Essential knowledge and skills
- Deep understanding of children's services, commissioning and public sector transformation.
- Excellent knowledge of procurement, contract management and commercial practices.
- Strong grasp of performance management, quality assurance and service improvement methodologies.
- Expertise in change management, programme delivery and organisational development.
- Outstanding communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
- High levels of political awareness and organisational sensitivity.
- Strong financial and commercial acumen.
- Commitment to innovation, inclusion and continuous improvement.
Why Tower Hamlets?
At Tower Hamlets, you'll have the opportunity to lead change at scale and help shape services that make a genuine difference to the lives of children, young people and families.
You'll work alongside ambitious colleagues, committed partners and engaged communities in a borough that is determined to be a national leader in children's services.
Our TOWER values guide everything we do:
Together
We work collaboratively across boundaries and with partners to deliver the best outcomes.
Open
We are transparent, approachable and committed to learning.
Willing
We embrace challenge, innovation and accountability.
Excellent
We strive for the highest standards and support others to succeed.
Respectful
We put our communities at the centre of everything we do.
Additional Information
- Enhanced DBS check required.
- Politically restricted post.
- Participation in emergency planning and business continuity arrangements.
- Flexibility to attend evening and weekend meetings when required.
- Deputy responsibilities for the Corporate Director, Children's Services.
Join us
This is an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious and values-driven leader to shape the future of commissioning, transformation and improvement within one of London's most exciting boroughs.
If you're passionate about delivering better outcomes for children and families and have the vision, leadership and drive to lead system-wide change, we'd love to hear from you.
Tower Hamlets is a truly unique borough at the heart of London – a place where history and innovation sit side by side. From the docks and markets that shaped the East End to the global business hub of Canary Wharf, we are proud to be one of the most dynamic, diverse, and ambitious communities in the UK. We are also one of the fastest growing and youngest boroughs in the country, offering unrivalled opportunities to make a real difference to people’s lives. Our residents are energetic, creative, and resilient, and our council is committed to delivering the best possible services and opportunities for them.
Our award-winning new Town Hall in Whitechapel provides a modern, flexible workplace for our staff, right at the heart of the borough and directly opposite Whitechapel Tube and Elizabeth line station. It is more than just a workplace – it’s a hub for collaboration, innovation and community, designed to bring out the best in our people.
As an employer, we put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. Our active Employee Network Groups celebrate and champion our workforce, helping to ensure that everyone feels a sense of belonging. Guided by our TOWER values – Together, Open, Willing, Excellent and Respect – we are building a positive, inclusive culture where colleagues can thrive.
At Tower Hamlets Council, you’ll find exciting challenges, supportive colleagues, and the chance to shape one of London’s most important and vibrant places. If you’re looking for a role where you can see the impact of your work every day, then Tower Hamlets is the place for you.
