Commissioning and Contracts Manager (Redeployment 21518)

• Suffolk County Council
• Address:Endeavour House Ipswich IP1 2BX - Hybrid
• Salary:48163 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours:37hours per week flexible working options available
• Contract:Permanent

Were 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 were committed to ensuring their voices shape the services support and direction of our work.

As the Carers Development Manager youll play a key role in championing those voices. Youll work alongside passionate colleagues partners and carers themselves to strengthen and modernise individuals experiences across the county. If youre 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 Suffolks commitment to supporting unpaid carers. No two days are the same and thats 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.

Youll work closely with colleagues across Adult Social Care voluntary sector partners and lived-experience groups. Youll 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.

Youll 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 peoples lives wed love to welcome you.

You will need

We hope youll 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 were just as interested in your potential and your ability to build strong respectful relationships. If youre organised a clear communicator and someone who enjoys bringing people together around a shared purpose youll 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.If you believe you can succeed in this role apply. Even if youdontmeet all requirements still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

As the Carers Development Manager youll work independently day-to-day but never in isolation. Youll 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.

Youll sit within our small but supportive Homecare & Brokerage Commissioning and Contracts team. We care about getting things right for carers and were proud of the culture weve built collaborative open respectful and focused on making a meaningful difference.

We share ideas problem-solve together and celebrate each others progress. Youll 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 youll fit in well with us.

Empowering Everyone

Were big believers in potential possibility and the power of different ideas. Were 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 ourWorkforce Equality Report.

For more information

If youd like an informal conversation about the role please contact Ed Abbott (he/him) on or email . Im 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 theSupporting Statement template.

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 emailingor calling.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 03 December 2025

Interview date: TBC

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