Are you an experienced finance, commissioning or commercial professional who wants to make a real difference to people's lives?

We have an excellent opportunity available for a Commissioning Finance Specialist to join our Commissioning Team in Adult Social Care at Wokingham Borough Council, on a part time, 12-month fixed term contract.

As Commissioning Finance Specialist, you'll help shape the future of Adult Social Care by bringing together finance and commissioning expertise to support sustainable services, strong value for money and positive outcomes for residents. You'll lead on pricing and cost modelling, analyse care markets and provider finances, and provide expert advice to senior leaders to support robust, evidence-based commissioning decisions.

We’re a small, supportive council with big ambitions. We trust our teams, work closely together and give people space to make ideas happen. Our adult social care services were rated among the highest in the country by the CQC in 2025, with two “Outstanding” areas. We were also ranked the 2nd most productive council in England by the Impower Productivity Index, recognising our strong performance and efficient use of public money.

Wokingham Borough Council is proud to be part of the Social Care Future movement, supporting a vision where everyone can live in a place they call home, connected to the people and activities that matter most.

⭐Staff Benefits⭐

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

⭐Generous Annual Leave entitlement of 31 days (rising by 5 days after 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidays

⭐Local Government Pension Scheme (actual contribution details to follow)

⭐GP Helpline 7 days a week

⭐Employee Assistance Programme with a 24/7 Your Care confidential helpline

⭐Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines

⭐Free Onsite Gym (located at Shute End, Wokingham)

⭐Salary Sacrifice Schemes – including Car and Cycle to Work

⭐Local & Lifestyle Discounts – savings on shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and more

⭐Move through Menopause Course

⭐Sports & Social Group Activities – running, football, cricket, and more

⭐Learning & Development Opportunities

⭐Employee Networks

Key responsibilities:

• Leading cost of care and fee-setting exercises.
• Developing and improving pricing and financial modelling methodologies.
• Assessing provider financial sustainability and identifying market risks.
• Supporting transformation projects, business cases and service redesign.
• Identifying savings, efficiencies and cost avoidance opportunities.
• Providing expert advice to commissioners, procurement colleagues and senior leaders.

Candidate requirement:

• Significant experience in finance, commissioning, procurement, market management or a related field.
• Experience of pricing, cost modelling, fee setting, benchmarking and provider challenge.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of provider cost drivers and market behaviour.
• The confidence to influence and challenge senior stakeholders using robust evidence.
• The ability to work independently in a complex and evolving environment.
• Experience within Adult Social Care or local government would be advantageous but is not essential.

Our area:

At Wokingham Borough Council, we're committed to delivering high-quality Adult Social Care. Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

Wokingham Borough Council has committed to becoming a Marmot borough to embed prevention, early intervention and address inequalities in all aspects of our work. This is especially important given the significant and continued growth of our Borough and the diversity of its residents.

If you're passionate about turning financial insight into meaningful change and want a role where your expertise can directly influence services for residents, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and help us build sustainable, high-quality Adult Social Care services for the future!

Alternatively, to arrange an informal discussion about the role, please contact Amy Morgan, Head of Service Strategic Commissioning, by emailing Amy.Morgan@wokingham.gov.uk

Closing date: 31st July 2026, 11pm

Interview date: 5/6 August 2026 (subject to change)

AI in Applications:

We recognise that candidates may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support the preparation of their job applications. When used appropriately, AI can be a helpful aid in structuring responses, checking clarity, and improving presentation.

However, applications must reflect your own skills, experience and understanding. If an application appears to rely excessively on AI-generated content, it may not meet the required standard and could be rejected.

We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.

Whilst this is a fixed term contract appointment, for anyone already employed by Wokingham Borough Council this would be classed as a secondment if successful.  Therefore, the usual permission requests for secondments apply and you must speak to your line manager in the first instance before applying.

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.