Brokerage Manager

Organisation: Nottinghamshire County Council
Department: Adult Social Care and Health
Rate: £400–£500 per day

Role Purpose

Nottinghamshire County Council is seeking an experienced Brokerage Manager to lead and oversee its Adult Social Care Brokerage function. The role is responsible for managing a large team, ensuring care packages and placements are sourced and negotiated in a timely, compliant and outcomes-focused manner while achieving value for money.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop the Brokerage team, providing clear direction, supervision, coaching and professional guidance.

• Oversee the sourcing, negotiation and commissioning of care packages and placements in line with individual care and support plans.

• Ensure packages are arranged within agreed timescales, personal budgets and Council procurement requirements.

• Build and maintain effective relationships with care providers, operational teams, commissioners and external stakeholders.

• Negotiate and benchmark provider fees and rates to secure quality services and value for money.

• Act as the main escalation point for complex brokerage cases, provider capacity issues and service concerns.

• Promote strength-based approaches by identifying local services, community resources and alternative support opportunities.

• Monitor provider availability, quality, safeguarding concerns and contractual compliance.

• Use market intelligence and brokerage data to inform commissioning strategies and market development.

• Produce reports and financial information to support commissioning reviews and budget forecasting.

• Support the Council in managing its external provider expenditure of approximately £480 million.

• Ensure accurate records, financial information and placement documentation are maintained through systems including Mosaic.

• Attend operational panels, provider forums and regional partnership meetings.

• Promote continuous improvement, effective communication and high standards of customer service.

Key Accountabilities

• Ensure care packages reflect assessed needs and agreed care and support plans.

• Maintain efficient brokerage processes, quality assurance systems and accurate provider information.

• Ensure placements meet financial, procurement, audit and contractual requirements.

• Provide timely information to service users, families, advocates, operational teams and providers.

• Monitor team performance, resources and service delivery.

• Escalate safeguarding, quality, financial and performance concerns appropriately.

• Develop staff competence and maintain strong provider and stakeholder relationships.

• Demonstrate value for money across all commissioned care and support arrangements.

Person Specification

Essential Knowledge and Experience

• Significant experience in adult social care brokerage, commissioning, placements or a related service.

• Understanding of the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and adult safeguarding legislation.

• Knowledge of CQC regulatory requirements and social care quality monitoring.

• Understanding of strategic commissioning, contract monitoring and provider management.

• Knowledge of NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) and partnership working.

• Experience using social care case management systems, ideally Mosaic.

• Strong financial, commercial and negotiation skills.

• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Teams.

• Educated to A-Level/NVQ Level 4 or equivalent in Business Administration, Finance or a related area, or substantial relevant experience.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Strong leadership, team management and staff development skills.

• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship-building abilities.

• Ability to analyse and present complex financial and performance information.

• Strong organisational, planning and prioritisation skills.

• Ability to work independently and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent problem-solving, decision-making and service improvement skills.

• Commitment to equality, customer service and person-centred outcomes.

• Evidence of ongoing professional development.