The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) said Patricia Bradwell, deputy leader at Lincolnshire County Council, will take over the position from Malcolm Newsam who has is leaving the role 18 months after being appointed in October 2014.
Newsam, a former director of children's services, was drafted in to Rotherham by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan in the wake of a damning report that found 1,400 children were sexually exploited over the full inquiry period, from 1997 to 2013.
The DCLG said Bradwell has been appointed until 31 March 2019. A statement from Rotherham Council said Bradwell has overseen continued improvements in children's services for Lincolnshire County Council over the past 11 years.
"She took over responsibility for the children's services portfolio in April 2005," the statement says.
"Since then, her work with colleagues and staff has led to Lincolnshire achieving and maintaining its high rating from Ofsted in its inspection of children's services, with adoption services being considered 'outstanding'."
The statement adds that Lincolnshire County Council will also be a practice improvement partner to provide "peer support and challenge" to Rotherham's children's services department, led by Lincolnshire's director of children's services, Debbie Barnes.
Sir Derek Myers, lead commissioner at Rotherham Council, said: "We are pleased to have Commissioner Patricia Bradwell in place and we will work together to continue to build on the work we are doing here at Rotherham Council."
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