Head of Market Management

Pay Level: SML12

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Hours: 37 hours / Full time

Location: Slough / Hybrid

The closing date for applications is midnight on: 15th September 2025

Interviews will be held week commencing: 22nd September 2025

What you'll be doing:

The Head of Market Management is a senior leadership role within Adult Social Care responsible for strategic oversight of market management functions, including quality assurance, contract management, procurement, brokerage, and direct payments. The postholder leads 26 staff and manages a £45 million contracted spend budget, driving transformational change to deliver better outcomes and value for money while ensuring provider compliance and market sustainability. This role requires strategic thinking, operational excellence, and strong stakeholder engagement to shape the local care market and deliver cashable savings targets.

What you'll have:

• Strategic Leadership - Extensive experience managing strategic services with large teams and multi-million pound budgets
• Sector Expertise - Background in adult social care, health services, or council service delivery
• Commissioning & Procurement - Proven track record in planning, commissioning, and procurement processes with statutory compliance
• Financial Management - Strong budget management, resource allocation, and delivering efficiency savings
• Quality Assurance - Experience with contract management, quality frameworks, and regulatory compliance
• Team Leadership - Successfully leading multidisciplinary teams to achieve strategic goals and performance targets
• Stakeholder Management - Building productive relationships with providers, partners, and developing co-produced outcomes
• Matrix Management - Experience working across teams and organisations in complex environments
• Policy Development - Leading development and delivery of policies and strategies
• Legislative Knowledge - In-depth understanding of Care Act 2014, Procurement Act 2023, and CQC standards
• Communication Skills - Excellent written and verbal communication for reports to senior stakeholders and elected members

What we offer:

At Slough Borough Council, we understand that everyone has different needs and circumstances. That's why we're committed to offering flexible and hybrid working arrangements that help you achieve the best work-life balance and accomodate different working patterns.

Annual increments, where applicable, are usually payable on 1st April each year, subject to six months service in the post, until the maximum spinal column point of the level has been reached. The payment of annual increments is not automatic and is subject to satisfactory performance as assessed by your Director.

Alongside a competitive salary, we provide:

• 26 days annual leave (not including Bank holidays), rising to 30 days between 2 - 5 years' service and 33 days after 5 years' service.
• The Local Government Pension Scheme

We offer a wider range of great benefits including:

• Flexible and hybrid working options to promote work-life balance
• Slough Borough Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer.  Our commitment to equality and diversity through our vibrant employee networks:
  • R.E.A.C.H (Race Equality and Celebrating Heritage) Network - celebrating cultural diversity and promoting racial equality
  • Women's Network - supporting career development and workplace equality for women
  • Employees with Disabilities Forum - advocating for accessibility and inclusion
  • LGBTQIA Network - fostering an inclusive environment for all colleagues
• Wellbeing initiatives
• Tax-free childcare and childcare services
• Season loan ticket - to help with the cost of your rail/bus journey to & from work

Accessibility and Support: We want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. If you have a condition that may affect your application or interview experience, please provide the following information in your supporting statement when applying:

• Do you have a condition that we should be aware of?
• How does this condition affect you in your daily work or interview situations?
• What accommodations do you need for the interview process or, if successful, in the role?
• What's the best time of day for an interview if you were shortlisted?

This information will be treated confidentially and used solely to ensure we provide appropriate support throughout the recruitment process and beyond.

Right to Work: All applicants must have a valid right to work in the UK. If you require sponsorship, please contact Recruitment@slough.gov.uk before submitting an application.

Interested? We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If appointed, all posts will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks.

Slough Borough Council is an inclusive employer and we encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We select staff on merit and we foster a workforce where people are valued, and represents the local communities that we serve. 

We want our application process to be open and accessible. If you wish to make your application in an alternative format, please email Recruitment@slough.gov.uk quoting the job reference – our Accessibility Statement has more information.

How to Apply: Please click on the apply button below to submit your application. We look forward to hearing from you!

The Council reserves the right to close adverts early should we receive a number of suitable applications.