Service Director All Age Commissioning
Job Title: Service Director All Age Commissioning
Salary: £95,460 - £100,571
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 20/09/2026
Technical interviews: 09/10/2026
Final selection day: 23/10/2026
The Role
This is a significant opportunity to shape how services are commissioned across Herefordshire, leading a truly all-age approach that supports children, families, adults and communities to thrive. As Service Director, you will establish the council as a leading commissioner, driving integrated and preventative approaches that improve outcomes, promote independence and deliver best value for residents.
You will lead strategic commissioning, market development, contract management, brokerage and resource functions, while building strong partnerships with the Integrated Care Board, providers, voluntary and community organisations, and people who use services. Working across health, care and community sectors, you will help develop innovative commissioning solutions that strengthen local services, reduce demand for higher-cost interventions and deliver sustainable improvement for Herefordshire’s communities.
This role would be well suited to commissioning leader with a strong record of delivering change, who is seeking their first appointment at director level. The successful candidate will bring commercial acumen, political awareness and the ability to galvanise colleagues and partners around a shared purpose. Above all, they will be inclusive, values-led and able to translate strategy into measurable improvements for Herefordshire’s residents, carers and communities.
What will you be doing?
The successful candidate will lead a broad and diverse portfolio covering:
- Adult Social Care Commissioning
- Children's Commissioning
- Quality Assurance and Market Development
- Social Care Resources
- Direct Payments and Individual Service Funds
- Financial Assessments and Charging
- Appointee and Deputy Services
- Strategic Transformation and Programme Delivery
The breadth of the portfolio offers a unique opportunity to influence both strategic policy and day-to-day service delivery across the care system.
The successful candidate will play a leading role in delivering:
The Big 4 Transformation Programme
A major redesign of adult social care services focused on independence, prevention and sustainable care markets.
Personalisation and Choice
Increasing the use of Direct Payments and Individual Service Funds to give people greater control over how their support is arranged and delivered.
Market Sustainability
Developing stronger partnerships with providers and creating sustainable commissioning models for the future.
Children's and Adults Integration
Developing a coherent all-age commissioning approach that improves outcomes and maximises value across services.
About You
We are seeking a leader who will help us:
- Successfully deliver the Big 4 transformation programme.
- Strengthen relationships with providers and partners.
- Embed innovation and digital approaches within commissioning.
- Expand personalised models of support.
- Improve outcomes for residents, families and carers.
- Ensure commissioning and resource strategies remain financially sustainable.
- Continue building an outstanding, ambitious and resilient commissioning function.
We Offer
A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:
- Salary range of £95,460 - £100,571
- Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period
- Flexible working
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
- Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements)
- Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.
Why Choose Us?
Herefordshire offers a rare combination of challenge, opportunity and quality of life.
As a predominantly rural county, Herefordshire faces many of the same challenges experienced across the country, but with the advantage of strong partnership working, an ambitious transformation agenda and the ability to make a visible difference at system level.
This is an organisation where senior leaders are close to decision making, where relationships matter, and where the impact of your work can be seen in communities across the county.
We're proud and excited to unveil our new recruitment video, a celebration of Herefordshire's people, places, and purpose. Set in the heart of England and filled with pride, compassion and possibility, the video brings to life what it means to work somewhere you truly belong.
At Herefordshire Council, every role matters and every person makes a real difference for our communities. We’re a team where people feel valued, supported and empowered to grow together.
You will probably have heard a lot about how beautiful it is in terms of countryside and open spaces (and it is!) but there is so much more going on here, including world-class cultural assets like the Mappa Mundi, vibrant theatres and a thriving food and drink sector. One of Herefordshire’s biggest assets is the strong and diverse communities. Our Talk Community approach brings that together supporting people to help themselves, encouraging them to help their communities and identifying how communities can help individuals.
Our ambitious transformation programme aims to further build on this to offer an all-age approach. We’re excited about the potential of what we can achieve for the benefit of all residents of Herefordshire, stronger together and building brighter futures.
How to apply
Herefordshire Council have partnered with Starfish Search for this recruitment process. To find out more information and to apply for the role, please visit: https://starfishsearch.com/jobs/herefordshire-sd-commissioning/ or contact Tom Ripley (07701 217 520 or [email protected]) or John Pease (07511 106753 or [email protected]).
Please do not apply through any Herefordshire Council website or use the ‘apply now’ button on this page. Only candidates that have been put forward by Starfish Search will be considered for this opportunity.