Commissioning and Contracts Manager
Suffolk County Council
Job Description
We're focused on making a real difference for communities across Suffolk - especially for unpaid and family carers.
We do that by listening to people, learning from their experiences, and creating a culture where respect and collaboration genuinely matter. Unpaid carers are a vital part of our social care system, and we're committed to ensuring their voices shape the services, support, and direction of our work.
As the Carers Development Manager, you'll play a key role in championing those voices. You'll work alongside passionate colleagues, partners, and carers themselves to strengthen and modernise individuals' experiences across the county. If you're someone who wants to make a tangible impact - and develop your career while doing it - this is your opportunity.
Reimagine the possibilities.
Your role and responsibilities
In this role, you become a key part of Suffolk's commitment to supporting unpaid carers. No two days are the same - and that's part of the appeal. One morning you might be chairing a triage meeting to make sure support is allocated fairly and transparently; that afternoon you could be meeting with providers, shaping improvements, or working with partners on upcoming Carers Week celebrations.
You'll work closely with colleagues across Adult Social Care, voluntary sector partners, and lived-experience groups. You'll use your skills to turn strategy into action, support a thriving market, and make a visible difference for carers across the county.
On a typical week, you might:
You'll be someone who enjoys connecting dots, building strong relationships, and turning good ideas into practical change. If you want to join a supportive, forward-looking team where your work has a direct impact on people's lives, we'd love to welcome you.
You will need
We hope you'll bring a mix of curiosity, compassion, and confidence to this role. Experience of working with unpaid or family carers - whether in a professional, voluntary, or community context - will be a real advantage, as it helps you understand the challenges carers face and the support that makes a difference.
Our ideal candidate has experience coordinating projects, working with partners, or developing services, but we're just as interested in your potential and your ability to build strong, respectful relationships. If you're organised, a clear communicator, and someone who enjoys bringing people together around a shared purpose, you'll thrive here.
We welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds. You might have worked in commissioning, community development, social care, the voluntary sector, or another area where collaboration is key. What matters most is your motivation, your values, and your commitment to improving the lives of unpaid carers.
A full list of requirements will be available in the Job and Person Profile (word).If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
The team
As the Carers Development Manager, you'll work independently day-to-day, but never in isolation. You'll be closely aligned with colleagues across the system - from voluntary sector partners to operational teams and wider ASC stakeholders - ensuring your work is connected, supported, and impactful.
You'll sit within our small but supportive Homecare & Brokerage Commissioning and Contracts team. We care about getting things right for carers, and we're proud of the culture we've built collaborative, open, respectful, and focused on making a meaningful difference.
We share ideas, problem-solve together, and celebrate each other's progress. You'll have the space to lead your own work while still being part of a team that genuinely looks out for one another.
If you want independence with real support behind, you - and the chance to make a tangible impact for unpaid and family carers - you'll fit in well with us.
Empowering Everyone
We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.
For more information
If you'd like an informal conversation about the role, please contact Ed Abbott (he/him) on 01473 264471 or email Ed.Abbott@suffolk.gov.uk. I'm always happy to talk through the role and answer any questions you might have.
How to apply
Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word).
Step 2 - Click 'Apply Now' to start your online application.
Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (word).
1. Partnership and System Leadership
Describe a time when you strengthened relationships across a complex system (e.g., VCSE, health, commissioning, providers, carers). What was your approach, and how did it lead to better outcomes for service users?
2. Carer Voice and Co-production
How would you ensure that carers' voices - including seldom-heard groups - meaningfully shape service design, contract management, and system priorities?
Give one practical method you would implement in your first three months.
3. Commissioning and Contract Oversight
Tell us about a time you used data, intelligence, or performance information to influence commissioning decisions or improve a contract. What changed as a result?
4. Independent Working with Strategic Alignment
This role works independently day to day, while staying aligned to ASC priorities and the wider system. How do you organise yourself to maintain momentum, visibility, and connection without close supervision?
5. Forward Thinking and Improvement Mindset
The Carers Development Manager will help shape the future Carers Contract, support the strategy, and influence countywide service development. What do you see as the most important opportunities for improving the carer experience over the next two years?
We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailingrecruitment@suffolk.gov.ukor calling03456 014412.If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.
Closing date:11.30pm, 17 December 2025
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid
About Us
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you'll enjoy:
Plus lots more!
If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).
- Suffolk County Council
- Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, IP1 2BX - Hybrid
- Salary: £48,163 per annum (pro rata for part time)
- Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
- Contract: Permanent
We're focused on making a real difference for communities across Suffolk - especially for unpaid and family carers.
We do that by listening to people, learning from their experiences, and creating a culture where respect and collaboration genuinely matter. Unpaid carers are a vital part of our social care system, and we're committed to ensuring their voices shape the services, support, and direction of our work.
As the Carers Development Manager, you'll play a key role in championing those voices. You'll work alongside passionate colleagues, partners, and carers themselves to strengthen and modernise individuals' experiences across the county. If you're someone who wants to make a tangible impact - and develop your career while doing it - this is your opportunity.
Reimagine the possibilities.
Your role and responsibilities
In this role, you become a key part of Suffolk's commitment to supporting unpaid carers. No two days are the same - and that's part of the appeal. One morning you might be chairing a triage meeting to make sure support is allocated fairly and transparently; that afternoon you could be meeting with providers, shaping improvements, or working with partners on upcoming Carers Week celebrations.
You'll work closely with colleagues across Adult Social Care, voluntary sector partners, and lived-experience groups. You'll use your skills to turn strategy into action, support a thriving market, and make a visible difference for carers across the county.
On a typical week, you might:
- bring partners together to plan improvements to the carers offer
- lead and support the pillars of the Carers Strategy
- work with ICBs and Suffolk Family Carers through regular contract meetings
- prepare for the next FCPB or quarterly agenda-setting session
- shape digital solutions and community support that give carers more choice and control
- coordinate celebrations for Carers Rights Day and Carers Week
- meet with colleagues to progress the Caring Companies initiative
- lead the long-term planning for the 2028 Carers Contract procurement.
You'll be someone who enjoys connecting dots, building strong relationships, and turning good ideas into practical change. If you want to join a supportive, forward-looking team where your work has a direct impact on people's lives, we'd love to welcome you.
You will need
We hope you'll bring a mix of curiosity, compassion, and confidence to this role. Experience of working with unpaid or family carers - whether in a professional, voluntary, or community context - will be a real advantage, as it helps you understand the challenges carers face and the support that makes a difference.
Our ideal candidate has experience coordinating projects, working with partners, or developing services, but we're just as interested in your potential and your ability to build strong, respectful relationships. If you're organised, a clear communicator, and someone who enjoys bringing people together around a shared purpose, you'll thrive here.
We welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds. You might have worked in commissioning, community development, social care, the voluntary sector, or another area where collaboration is key. What matters most is your motivation, your values, and your commitment to improving the lives of unpaid carers.
A full list of requirements will be available in the Job and Person Profile (word).If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
The team
As the Carers Development Manager, you'll work independently day-to-day, but never in isolation. You'll be closely aligned with colleagues across the system - from voluntary sector partners to operational teams and wider ASC stakeholders - ensuring your work is connected, supported, and impactful.
You'll sit within our small but supportive Homecare & Brokerage Commissioning and Contracts team. We care about getting things right for carers, and we're proud of the culture we've built collaborative, open, respectful, and focused on making a meaningful difference.
We share ideas, problem-solve together, and celebrate each other's progress. You'll have the space to lead your own work while still being part of a team that genuinely looks out for one another.
If you want independence with real support behind, you - and the chance to make a tangible impact for unpaid and family carers - you'll fit in well with us.
Empowering Everyone
We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.
For more information
If you'd like an informal conversation about the role, please contact Ed Abbott (he/him) on 01473 264471 or email Ed.Abbott@suffolk.gov.uk. I'm always happy to talk through the role and answer any questions you might have.
How to apply
Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word).
Step 2 - Click 'Apply Now' to start your online application.
Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (word).
1. Partnership and System Leadership
Describe a time when you strengthened relationships across a complex system (e.g., VCSE, health, commissioning, providers, carers). What was your approach, and how did it lead to better outcomes for service users?
2. Carer Voice and Co-production
How would you ensure that carers' voices - including seldom-heard groups - meaningfully shape service design, contract management, and system priorities?
Give one practical method you would implement in your first three months.
3. Commissioning and Contract Oversight
Tell us about a time you used data, intelligence, or performance information to influence commissioning decisions or improve a contract. What changed as a result?
4. Independent Working with Strategic Alignment
This role works independently day to day, while staying aligned to ASC priorities and the wider system. How do you organise yourself to maintain momentum, visibility, and connection without close supervision?
5. Forward Thinking and Improvement Mindset
The Carers Development Manager will help shape the future Carers Contract, support the strategy, and influence countywide service development. What do you see as the most important opportunities for improving the carer experience over the next two years?
We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailingrecruitment@suffolk.gov.ukor calling03456 014412.If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.
Closing date:11.30pm, 17 December 2025
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid
About Us
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you'll enjoy:
- up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
- membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
- performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
- training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
- a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
- diverse and active staff networks
- flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
Plus lots more!
If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).
JOB SUMMARY
Commissioning and Contracts Manager
Suffolk County Council
Ipswich
5 days ago
N/A
Full-time
Commissioning and Contracts Manager