Senior Commissioning Manager - Mental Health

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. 

This role has a starting salary of £70,975 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week. This is a full-time post but part time applications are also welcomed. 

We are hiring a Senior Commissioning Manager to join our dedicated Adult Mental Health Commissioning team. This is a hybrid role, with the team base in Woodhatch, Reigate. The team has an excellent track record in co-producing services that offer value for money and good outcomes for people drawing on care and support.  

We want to make sure that people can get the right help and support, at the right time and in a way that is accessible for them. We want to tackle inequality and make sure no-one is left behind: we know that some groups of people have poorer outcomes and we must address this. 
 
Rewards and Benefits 

• 26 days’ holiday (prorated for part time staff), 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
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer’s leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Team
The Adult Mental Health Commissioning Team is part of the Commissioning function in Adults, Wellbeing and Health Partnerships. We are a dynamic and supportive team consisting of one head of service, three senior commissioning managers and two commissioning managers who are committed to achieving good outcomes for the citizens of Surrey.  

We work closely with other areas of the directorate, such as brokerage, quality assurance and the mental health locality teams; we also have positive working relationships with the mental health provider market in Surrey.  

About the Role 
As a Senior Commissioning Manager you will be a strategic commissioning lead in the adult mental health commissioning team. Senior Commissioning Managers have a diverse portfolio including:  

• Managing, developing and improving the provider market
• Co-producing new services
• Shaping, developing and influencing strategic plans 
• Working across health and social care systems 
• Ensuring delivery of high quality, affordable and outcomes focused services 
• Leading the development of services meeting identified gaps in services

This role will have a focus on adult mental health, providing leadership for commissioning strategy for adults with mental health needs. It is specifically responsible for overseeing the supported independent living market.  

The role holder is also responsible for oversight of the voluntary sector provision within mental health. The role links closely with the operational mental health teams, and the role holder is expected to contribute to the mental health management board and quality improvement board, amongst other governance arrangements.  

Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following: 

• Professional commissioning experience
• Leadership and management skills
• Project and programme management skills
• Ability to bring together, manage and listen to a wide range of stakeholders to improve outcomes for Surrey citizens
• Experiences in managing and developing Adult Social Care provider markets 
• Values and approach to commissioning and service development 

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. 

For an informal discussion please contact Jane Bremner by email or on MS Teams.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 28/09/2025 with interviews planned for 8th October 2025. 

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit. 

Local Government Reorganisation

Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas. 

Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils. 

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 Behaviours

The Surrey Way behaviours are a guide that supports our council to work together effectively and deliver our best for our customers and communities, and for each other. Discover more about our behaviours.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.

Our Commitment 

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where: 

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application 
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form 

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.