Job Introduction
This post is a 2-year fixed term contract however if you are currently employed by another local authority we can offer this as a secondment if your local authority gives approval.
About Us
The South East Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (SE ADASS) is a collaborative partnership of the 18 directors of adult social care across the South East (SE) region. We are one of nine regional Branches of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS). Our directors provide strong regional and local leadership, driving innovation in commissioning and other key areas, promoting positive risk taking and championing the value and purpose of adult social care at national and regional level.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced professional with adult social care commissioning expertise to join our SE ADASS regional team. The SE ADASS team are hosted by Oxfordshire County Council and support the 18 directors and their teams to deliver our regional improvement programme. We work in partnership with our councils and other key stakeholders to drive innovation, foster continuous improvement, and champion person-centred, outcomes-focused approaches throughout adult social care in the SE.
The role will include leading on delivery of the work programme for several regional networks including Commissioning and Market Development, Workforce, Digital, Housing, Learning Disability and Neurodiversity, Mental Health, and Continuing Healthcare. You will coordinate network meetings and proactively drive cross-cutting improvement projects that span multiple areas of adult social care, including prevention, early intervention, workforce planning, market sustainability and digital transformation.
You will support the development and delivery of our SE regional commissioning priorities. This will include producing a regional market position statement, supporting our regional market management activity, using data and intelligence to drive improvement and promoting best practice. The role also involves facilitating effective collaboration across councils, NHS partners, voluntary sector organisations, care associations, research bodies, and national organisations to ensure joined-up approaches to care and support.
This is a unique opportunity to join a committed, supportive and flexible regional team working with councils to improve adult social care outcomes for communities across the South East. If you are an experienced commissioner, a highly organised self-starter with good programme management skills and a passion for sector-led improvement, we encourage you to apply.
About you
You are a confident and knowledgeable commissioning professional with at least three years’ experience in a commissioning role, ideally within adult social care or the wider public sector. You bring a strong understanding of commissioning, policy and system-wide working across the wider health and care system. You are comfortable operating across complex partnerships to deliver meaningful outcomes for people and communities.
You combine analytical thinking with practical delivery. You can interpret complex information, use data to inform decision-making, and translate this into clear, evidence-based recommendations and actionable plans. You are confident working both collaboratively and independently. You can manage your own workload, prioritise effectively and deliver outcomes with minimal supervision, while also contributing positively as part of a wider regional and system team.
Collaboration is central to how you work. You build strong relationships with colleagues, senior leaders and partners across organisations, including health, local government and the voluntary sector. You are confident influencing, negotiating and leading conversations even where they are complex or challenging to achieve shared outcomes.
In addition, you will have experience working in a programme or project management environment and be comfortable working across multiple priorities in a fast-moving, matrix environment. You can coordinate activity, bring people together, and maintain momentum to deliver regional or system-wide priorities.
You have a strong understanding of social care and health policy, legislation and market dynamics, including the challenges facing providers and commissioners. You are focused on continuous improvement and innovation and are motivated to identify and share good practice that drives sector led improvement, better outcomes and value for money.
You are also committed to inclusive leadership and collaborative ways of working. You actively promote equality, diversity and inclusion, support learning and development, and contribute positively to a culture that is open, supportive and forward-looking.
Above all, you are motivated by making a difference—bringing insight, energy and expertise to support regional collaboration and deliver improved outcomes across the South East.
Rewards and benefits
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You’ll play a key role in shaping improvement across a dynamic region, with flexible working options and a supportive, friendly, collaborative team.
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Culture of flexible working
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Technology to support agile working where role permits
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30 day’s holiday p.a. plus bank holidays
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Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
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Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
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Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
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Enhanced family friendly policies
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Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
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Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.
Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Our commitment to:
Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Our commitment to:
Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
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If you encounter any issues with the application system, please contact us at: [email protected]
