Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head of Business Development & Commissioning to lead our high-performing team and to make a lasting difference to children with brain injury and neurodisability.



The Children's Trust is the UK's leading charity for children with acquired brain injury, providing expert rehabilitation, education, therapy and care at our national specialist centre in Tadworth, and to children and their families across the UK, via our Community Rehabilitation Service. We are the largest centre commissioned by NHS England for Category A neurorehabilitation.



The role of Head of Business Development & Commissioning is pivotal in the successful management of our core business activity, that's relating to our frontline services and children's placements. You'll lead a highly motivated team responsible for managing all placements activity, from generating referrals and managing key relationships with both referrers and funders, through to oversight of all placement-related matters, ensuring placements are managed to the highest standards. You'll also bring strategic focus, driving service development in line with the organisation's new strategy, broadening our reach and maximising income generating opportunities.



You will have the opportunity to develop and implement your expertise in an environment that is focused on the highest clinical and quality standards. You will work in a 24-acre site which is unusual in its beautiful historic nature, as it is unique in its state-of-the-art facilities including robotic technology and virtual reality.

Role Requirements

You will be a key member of the organisation's Operational Leadership Team (OLT), working alongside other heads of department, reporting to the Medical Director. You'll lead in the management of all core business activity, including reporting to and influencing senior leaders, both our Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees, as well as external stakeholders.



To succeed in this high profile and diverse role, you must demonstrate:


Ability to engage with and influence stakeholders, at all levels, internally and externally. Pipeline and bed management experience in a complex organisation. Leadership of high-performing teams, including coaching and mentoring to achieve results. Strategic thinking and the ability to drive service development and maximise income, whilst mitigating risk. Understanding of commissioning landscapes - NHS (national and local levels), continuing health care, education, and private. Budget management experience, including forecasting income. Ability to work in a matrix environment, with resilience, determination and passion.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Dr Vijay Palanivel, Medical Director & Consultant in Paediatric Neurodisability: 01737 364388.



For more information, a copy of the candidate briefing pack and application form please click here

Terms and Conditions

PLEASE NOTE: The Children's Trust Application Form MUST be completed and submitted, for your application to be considered. As part of the shortlisting process, gaps in employment will be examined and further explored during the interview process.

To apply for this role please click on the apply now button at the bottom of the advert.

Strictly no agencies, please.

About Us

The Children's Trust is the UK's leading charity for children with acquired brain injury, providing expert rehabilitation, education, therapy, and care at our national specialist centre in Tadworth, and to children and their families across the UK, via our Brain Injury Community Service.



Boasting a beautiful 24-acre site in Surrey, we are located just outside of London, close to the M25 (accessible via Junction 8, A217 to Tadworth) and easily accessible via National Rail, by way of: Clapham Junction, Sutton, and Epsom.

Staff Benefits

The work we do is highly rewarding, and in addition to an attractive salary, we offer a valuable range of benefits, including our staff flexible benefits platform, on-site nursery, free eye tests, enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay, time out days for those experiencing menopause symptoms and time off for gender reassignment.



We also offer additional annual leave days for those with long service, with entitlements ranging from 35 to 41 days (including bank holidays) depending on your length of service.



Other benefits include free on-site parking; a staff shuttle service from Epsom and Sutton train stations to Tadworth Court, subsidised cafeteria, on-site staff accommodation (subject to availability), the ability to retain your NHS pension (where applicable), Teacher's pension (where applicable) or the opportunity to join an alternative scheme, and the opportunity to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Rehabilitation of Offenders

Many roles at The Children's Trust are exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020) and as such, are subject to an Enhanced DBS check. Successful applicants will be required to complete an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check, which will disclose all unspent convictions and adult cautions and any spent convictions or adult cautions that would not be protected. The exceptions to this are our retail roles within The Children's Trust shops, which are subject to Basic DBS checks which will disclose unspent convictions or adult cautions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

To help us achieve our ambition to give children and young people with brain injury and neurodisability the opportunity to live the best life possible, we want to accurately reflect the UK's diverse population. We want equity, diversity, and inclusion to be at the heart of everything we do, and our people, services, and culture to reflect the diverse needs of all. Through our diversity and inclusion strategy, we have made a commitment to increase the diversity of our charity and create an inclusive culture. We have networks across the organisation working to ensure that these aims are met - including an LGBTQIA2S+ group, Ethnic Diversity Group, and Spark - our broad EDI group. Read more about our EDI work here.

We welcome applications from all who share our ambition regardless of background.

We will strive to ensure that any reasonable adjustments are made in respect of interview and working arrangements.

Online Searches

In accordance with statutory safeguarding and child protection guidance, online searches will be conducted for shortlisted candidates before interview. The online searches will be conducted by a person who is independent of the interview and selection process and will focus on relevant information returned via searches of the candidate's name (and variations thereof). Social media searches will be limited to professional platforms such as LinkedIn. Any concerns relating to suitability for work with children and young people will be forwarded to the interview panel, for discussion during the interview.