Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Grade J. Scale 40 - £51,356 to Scale 41 - £52,413
Hours Per Week: 36 hours
Base Location: Tameside One
Assessment Date: 17th September 2026
The Role
Help shape the future of services for children, young people and families.
At Tameside, we are on an ambitious journey of transformation and improvement. We are committed to delivering excellent outcomes for children, young people and families through innovative commissioning, strong partnerships and a relentless focus on quality, value and impact.
As part of our Start Well Commissioning Team, we are looking for an experienced, motivated and forward-thinking Team Manager who shares our ambition to create the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
This is a rare opportunity to play a leading role in shaping services that truly make a difference. Working alongside senior leaders, partners and providers, you will help drive innovation, strengthen the local market and ensure that commissioned services deliver the very best outcomes for Tameside's children and young people.
As Team Manager, Start Well Commissioning, you will be responsible for leading and developing a high-performing commissioning team, ensuring effective oversight of children's services contracts and commissioned provision across the borough.
You will contribute to strategic commissioning priorities, support market development and work collaboratively across Children's Services, Education, Health and partner organisations to ensure services are responsive, sustainable and deliver measurable impact.
Key responsibilities will include:
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Leading, managing and developing commissioning activity across a portfolio of children's services.
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Overseeing contract management, quality assurance and performance monitoring to ensure high-quality provision.
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Supporting market shaping and developing strong relationships with providers and partners.
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Managing budgets and resources effectively, ensuring value for money and compliance with financial regulations.
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Driving continuous improvement through the use of performance data, stakeholder feedback and evidence-based practice.
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Leading and motivating a multidisciplinary team, creating a culture of accountability, innovation and learning.
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Contributing to strategic planning and transformational programmes across Children's Services.
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Ensuring all commissioning activity is delivered in line with legislation, regulations, local priorities and best value principles.
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This role offers the opportunity to influence how services are designed and delivered, helping Tameside continue its improvement journey whilst ensuring children and families receive the support they need to thrive.
About You
We are looking for a confident and values-driven leader with a passion for improving outcomes for children and young people.
You will bring experience of working within a commissioning, contracting or service improvement environment and have the ability to navigate complexity, build effective relationships and deliver results.
You will have:
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A good level of education to A-Level standard or equivalent Level 3 qualification.
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A management qualification or willingness to work towards one.
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Experience within a commissioning or contracting environment.
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Strong leadership, organisational and project management skills.
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Experience of monitoring performance, managing budgets and analysing financial information.
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Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
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The ability to influence, challenge and collaborate with a wide range of internal and external partners.
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Strong analytical skills and the ability to turn insight into action.
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A proactive and innovative approach to problem-solving and service development.
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A commitment to continuous learning, professional development and reflective practice.
We would particularly welcome applications from candidates with experience of public sector commissioning, outcome-based contracting, procurement, service transformation or children's services.
Most importantly, you will share our ambition for Tameside, our commitment to partnership working and our determination to continually improve outcomes for local children, young people and families.
About Us
Hear from Jill Colbert OBE, Director of Children’s Services
“When I first joined the council at the beginning of 2025 I was instantly charmed by the warmth, openness, and energy of my colleagues.
“The reason why I came to Tameside was because I knew we could do fantastic things for our families here.
“Whilst we’re currently a children’s service on a significant improvement journey, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together, and this is already making a difference for our children.
“I know from the feedback from our Commissioner, Ofsted and our Strategic Improvement Partner, that families are seeing and feeling the impact of the thoughtful and compassionate support delivered by our workforce.
“We know that if we keep children at the centre of our thinking and our actions, we will create meaningful change for them that lasts.
“We are also growing and investing in our future. We have a range of specialist services for children, giving social workers quick access to expert help that makes complex decisions easier and supports better outcomes. Our Social Work Academy is led by people who bring passion to learning. We are strengthening our progression pathways so that staying in Tameside is rewarded and recognised. We have invested in innovation and improvement so that we can grow services and support for families that we can sustain, from family hubs through to complex safeguarding.
“Together, we are creating a proud, inclusive, and safe environment where great practice can truly flourish. And I feel incredibly privileged to lead this journey alongside such dedicated colleagues.
“Be a part of something great, be a part of our improvement journey and join us at Team Tameside.”
At the heart of this role is our Heart of Support Practice Approach, underpinned by the 5 C’s Compassion, Curiosity, Collaboration, Conversation and Courage. These values are the golden thread in how we work with children, families and each other. You will champion the Heart of Support and play a pivotal role in embedding systemic practice across the service.
We are committed to safeguarding and championing the welfare of children, young people, and families. Protecting and empowering our communities is at the heart of everything we do, and we expect every member of our team to share that commitment and help us make a meaningful difference.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. This position is subject to Enhanced with Barred List Disclosure Procedures.
Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.
We are committed to developing a culture which respects individuals, appreciates difference and allows everyone regardless of background to reach their full potential. We are proud to be an accredited disability confident employer. Reasonable Adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the Job Role Criteria.
Our rewards and benefits package can be viewed here
For further information about this role please contact the recruiting manager Sally Atkinson on 0161 342 3649 or [email protected]
