Director of Strategic Commissioning and Procurement

Create something exceptional. Improve outcomes. Drive lasting change.

Thurrock is changing, and with that change comes a rare opportunity to make a visible, lasting difference. The council is moving into a new phase of recovery and improvement, with new permanent leadership, sharper corporate grip and a clear ambition to build a stronger, more sustainable council for residents. There has never been a more exciting time to join us.

This newly created Director role sits at the centre of that ambition. It’s not a traditional procurement post or a narrow service commissioning role. It’s a whole-council leadership opportunity spanning commissioning, commercial strategy, contract management and procurement across Adults, Children's, Place and Corporate Services, with responsibility for shaping resilient markets, strengthening partnerships and improving outcomes for residents.

Reporting to Alex Powell, Assistant Chief Executive, you will lead the creation of a smart, centralised commissioning and commercial function: a high-performing Centre of Excellence at the heart of the council. Leading the Strategic Commissioning and Procurement Hub, you will embed strong, consistent commissioning, procurement and commercial practice across the organisation, improving value from major spend, strengthening governance and assurance, building stronger markets and helping services deliver better outcomes for local people.

Thurrock has faced significant financial and organisational challenge over recent times, but it is also a council with momentum, clarity and purpose; a place that knows what it needs to improve and is actively doing the work. For the right person, this is an exceptional opportunity to make your mark.

You’ll have influence now and for the future. The role will play a central part in financial recovery and transformation, helping to drive value for money, deliver sustainable savings and strengthen commercial capability across the council. You will oversee significant external spend, ensure robust financial governance, risk management and compliance, and help the organisation prepare for the opportunities and challenges that may arise through Local Government Reorganisation and a future South West Essex footprint.

This role operates at the heart of key strategic partnerships, including work with health colleagues and the wider Integrated Care System. You will help shape joint commissioning opportunities, develop resilient provider markets and ensure services are increasingly designed around prevention, early intervention and reducing inequalities.

We’re looking for a senior leader who can build, influence and deliver. Your background may be in strategic commissioning, commercial leadership, service transformation or a related field, but most importantly you will be able to bring together people, markets, partnerships and resources to achieve better outcomes. You’ll bring strategic judgement, commercial acumen, political awareness, strong relationship-building skills and the credibility to act as a trusted adviser to statutory officers, Members, partners, providers and senior colleagues across the council.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to build rather than simply inherit. You’ll shape a high-performing Centre of Excellence, establish the council’s Strategic Commissioning and Procurement Hub and create a lasting legacy across services, communities and partners. Operating at a whole-council level, your impact will be visible, significant and genuinely career-defining.

If you are energised by complexity, pace and the opportunity to build something enduring, improve outcomes for residents and leave a genuine legacy, we would love to hear from you.
 

To Apply
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Anita Denton (07725 554802 / anita.denton@tile-hill.co.uk) or Chris Barrow (07437 839048 / chris.barrow@tile-hill.co.uk), at our recruitment partner, Tile Hill.
  
To find out more about the role, the place and how to apply, please visit: https://www.leading-thurrock.co.uk/
  
Closing date: midnight on Sunday 6th September 2026
 

To apply:
To apply, please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV (three sides of A4 maximum), along with a supporting statement (three sides of A4 maximum) detailing your experience, and achievements and addressing the key criteria for the role set out on this site and using examples to demonstrate how you meet the requirements. Documents should be uploaded via our website, please include and upload the below information in two documents only. If you experience any issues whilst applying, please contact abbie.hamilton-grant@tile-hill.co.uk
 

Applications should include:

• Full contact details;
• Names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees (we will ask your permission before contacting referees);
• Details of your notice period
• Notification of any dates when you are not available for an interview

At Tile Hill, we are committed to inclusion and accessibility. We champion and support all individuals to ensure everyone feels valued, listened to and motivated to get the very best out of each recruitment process and that processes are designed to meet the needs of individuals. If you have any specific requests and would like a confidential discussion with the Tile Hill team, then please email inclusion@tile-hill.co.uk
If the organisation we’re representing is a member of the Disability Confident Scheme and you’d like to apply under the scheme, please mention this clearly in bold at the top of your supporting statement. If there are any adjustments that would support you during the application or interview process, please let us know.