About this role
Job summary
We are looking for an experienced manager who can connect evidence, people and partnerships to shape the future of care and support across Lincolnshire.
Our new Strategic Commissioning Service brings together commissioning, procurement, contract management, care sourcing and market development to strengthen how we plan, develop and secure care and support across Lincolnshire. We are building a more proactive, evidence-led approach that connects peoples needs and aspirations with commissioning decisions, investment and the development of a sustainable care and support market.
As our Market Shaping Manager, you will join at an important stage, with the opportunity to bring your ideas, influence priorities and help establish new ways of working. You will lead and develop a team, build strong relationships across the care system and turn evidence and strategic ambitions into practical developments that improve the support and choices available to people.
Main duties of the job
Commissioning and market development experience: significant experience across the commissioning cycle, including practical responsibility for shaping and developing adult care provision. A strong understanding of care markets: in-depth knowledge of regulated and non-regulated provision, market economics, provider business models and workforce pressures, supported by strong commercial and financial understanding. Evidence of delivery: a track record of using intelligence to lead market development, innovation or service change, with clear outcomes and measurable benefits. Analytical capability and judgement: the ability to interpret complex quantitative and qualitative evidence, anticipate future needs, manage market and financial risks, and make clear strategic recommendations. Effective people leadership: comprehensive experience managing staff and leading teams to advance outcomes-based commissioning, support professional development and deliver competing priorities. Relationship and influencing skills: experience working across health and care systems, communicating and negotiating at a senior level, and securing change through collaboration. Relevant knowledge: sound understanding of Care Act market-shaping and sustainability duties, adult social care legislation and regulation, and the wider policy and political context for commissioning.
About us
Lincolnshire County Council, is one of the largest employers in the county. We are an organisation that embraces diversity, innovation and progress. We value our people and want to ensure that we can support you in joining and growing with us.
We will view you as an integral member of our community and recognise that your well-being is paramount. To show our appreciation, weve crafted a competitive package designed to not only acknowledge your hard work but also foster a healthy work-life balance.
From health benefits and retirement plans, we strive to provide a package that supports well-being and financial stability and that meets the diverse needs of our workforce.
We want everyone who works with us to feel included and celebrate their uniqueness. We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity, eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation, and promoting good relations for both employee and for the people of Lincolnshire.
People often say every day is a learning day and at LCC a culture of learning is something we really believe in. We recognise the importance of supporting your learning and development and can offer a variety of different learning opportunities depending on what is right for you and the organisation. This could be through your everyday tasks, through hands-on experience, structured programs, formal qualifications, coaching, or informal learning opportunities.
Job description Job responsibilities
We are looking for an experienced manager who can connect evidence, people and partnerships to shape the future of care and support across Lincolnshire.
Our new Strategic Commissioning Service brings together commissioning, procurement, contract management, care sourcing and market development to strengthen how we plan, develop and secure care and support across Lincolnshire. We are building a more proactive, evidence-led approach that connects peoples needs and aspirations with commissioning decisions, investment and the development of a sustainable care and support market.
As our Market Shaping Manager, you will join at an important stage, with the opportunity to bring your ideas, influence priorities and help establish new ways of working. You will lead and develop a team, build strong relationships across the care system and turn evidence and strategic ambitions into practical developments that improve the support and choices available to people.
About the role
The successful candidate will:
Lead market oversight, development activity and practical planning; responding to gaps, future needs and opportunities, and evaluating their impact. Work with colleagues, providers and partners to encourage innovation, investment and high-quality, sustainable care and support. Ensure people drawing on care and support, unpaid carers and communities influence priorities and service development. Lead Strategic Commissioning intelligence and reporting, providing clear insight into demand, supply, capacity, quality, performance, costs and risks. Anticipate workforce and financial pressures affecting providers and help develop effective responses. Lead and support your team, helping colleagues develop their strengths, establish priorities and build confidence in new ways of working. As part of the services management team, you will contribute to a supportive environment where people share ideas, learn together and take pride in their work. Support the Councils Care Act responsibilities across the wider care market, including services used by people arranging and funding their own care.We are looking for an experienced manager who can combine commissioning expertise, sound judgement and effective leadership to shape Lincolnshires care and support market.
You will bring:
Commissioning and market development experience: significant experience across the commissioning cycle, including practical responsibility for shaping and developing adult care provision. A strong understanding of care markets: in-depth knowledge of regulated and non-regulated provision, market economics, provider business models and workforce pressures, supported by strong commercial and financial understanding. Evidence of delivery: a track record of using intelligence to lead market development, innovation or service change, with clear outcomes and measurable benefits. Analytical capability and judgement: the ability to interpret complex quantitative and qualitative evidence, anticipate future needs, manage market and financial risks, and make clear strategic recommendations. Effective people leadership: comprehensive experience managing staff and leading teams to advance outcomes-based commissioning, support professional development and deliver competing priorities. Relationship and influencing skills: experience working across health and care systems, communicating and negotiating at a senior level, and securing change through collaboration. Relevant knowledge: sound understanding of Care Act market-shaping and sustainability duties, adult social care legislation and regulation, and the wider policy and political context for commissioning. A commitment to inclusive commissioning: ensuring peoples experiences influence market development, with a clear commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and social value.Your experience may have been gained under a different role title. Please use your application to show how your skills, experience and achievements meet the job description and person specification.
Why join us?
Shape the future and make a real difference: You will translate strategic vision into reality, and through supporting the delivery of the full commissioning cycle, your work will directly contribute to improving lives across Lincolnshire. Work in a dynamic supportive environment: In joining the Strategic Commissioning Service you can be guaranteed a warm welcome and will be surrounded by a friendly, supportive caring and compassionate team, dedicated to ensuring success. Know you are at the heart of our organisation: We believe our people are at the heart of everything we do. Thats why we offer a rewarding package designed to support your worklife balance, health and wellbeing, financial security, and career growth -with opportunities for ongoing professional development across commissioning and adult care. Find out more about our offer to you in the attached brochure. Be recognised for your contribution: Along with a competitive salary, we also offer a contributory pension, a comprehensive benefits package, including excellent discount schemes and cycle to work; flexible working policies; career progression opportunities; a generous annual leave entitlement, plus the option to buy more; and a relocation package may be considered for the successful candidate -more details relating to our Relocation Policy can be found here.
If you would like an open and informal discussion regards this role then please contact Dionne Soonthornsaratoon via email [email protected]
Closing date: 4th November 2026
Interview dates: WC 16th November
NOTE: It is imperative that your personal statement clearly states why you have applied, details your applicable experience and how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role as set out in the Job Description, and what you feel you can bring to this role, the team and the wider County Council.
Refer to our Job Information Pack here to support you in your application.
On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. Please also note: once an application is submitted it is final and cannot be amended. If you withdraw your application, it cannot be reinstated and you will not be able to submit another application for that vacancy. If you have an issue with your submitted application, please contact [email protected].
Due to recent changes in immigration law in the UK we are unable to offer skilled worker visa sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the requirements.
We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.
Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
A Smarter Working Employer
We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary. Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.
Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.
Fluency Duty
In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
Our values collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible guide everything we do. Were looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
- A degree, equivalent qualification, in a relevant discipline such as commissioning and/or research and/or planning, business management and/or financial planning or substantial equivalent experience across adult social care commissioning or strategy - A management qualification or significant experience in a management role and managing staff
Experience Essential
- Significant experience in commissioning, market development or strategy. Demonstrating a robust understanding of adult social care markets, market economics and workforce challenges - Sound knowledge of the Care Act 2014, including market-shaping and sustainability duties. - Significant experience operating within the commissioning cycle - Experience of managing care market shaping and developing - Expert knowledge of regulated and non regulated care markets - Experience of working across health and care systems (e.g. ICS working). Proven ability to influence cultural change across large, complex organisations. - Ability to evidence effective outcomes through intelligence led market shaping, leading to the design and implementation of flexible, creative and imaginative approaches, underpinning continuous improvement.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Lincolnshire County Council
Address 3rd Floor, Lancaster House
36 Orchard Street
Lincoln
Lincolnshire
LN1 1XX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://jobs.lincolnshire.gov.uk/home.html (Opens in a new tab)