Commissioning and Contracts Manager
| Posting date: | 18 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £48,163 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 28 September 2025 |
| Location: | Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2BX |
| Company: | Suffolk County Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 20545 |
Summary
- 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
Do you want to be part of shaping the future of adult social care in Suffolk? We’re looking for a passionate and driven Contracts and Commissioning Manager to join our Strategic Commissioning and Contract Management (SCCM) service. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your management skills while working closely with our local care market. You’ll lead on identifying priorities and opportunities, manage relationships with care providers through effective contract management, and help design innovative changes to services that make a real difference.
Your responsibilities
- Overseeing contract management and provider relationship activities
- Managing quality monitoring and assurance activities for services
- Designing changes to services provided to people by care providers on behalf of the Council
That includes overseeing a portfolio of contracts and working with social work teams and people with lived experience to identify opportunities to make improvements to services.
You will need
- experience or capability in managing people, contracts, and service delivery
- the ability to empower individuals with lived experience to shape and improve services
- a track record of overseeing supplier or external partner performance to achieve shared goals
- confidence in working independently and managing your own workload effectively
- a genuine interest in developing your skills in relationship management, project coordination, and co-production with people who have lived experience.
You can view a full list of requirements 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
The Strategic Commissioning and Contract Management team is dedicated to delivering the best support offer for adults with disabilities. We’re proud of our collaborative spirit and commitment to continuous improvement. You’ll be supported by a large peer network, user-friendly tools, and regular engagement with managers and leaders. You will be expected to come into the office at least two days a week and we embrace hybrid working.
Empowering Everyone
We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are 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
Please contact Jonathan Miller-Williams for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 264363 or emailing jonathan.miller-williams@suffolk.gov.uk
How to apply
Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx).
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.
1. Describe a time when you developed or redesigned a service to deliver improved outcomes aligned with the 'People at the Heart of Care' principle - such as promoting sustainability, independence, quality, and amplifying people's voices.
2. Share an example of when you successfully influenced a provider or supplier to address a performance or quality issue by tackling the root causes, such as behavioural or operational constraints.
3. Using a real-life example, explain how your leadership has helped others manage competing priorities, feel supported, and work confidently and independently.
Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details). We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.
We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.
Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 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, 28 September 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
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).
- 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
Do you want to be part of shaping the future of adult social care in Suffolk? We’re looking for a passionate and driven Contracts and Commissioning Manager to join our Strategic Commissioning and Contract Management (SCCM) service. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your management skills while working closely with our local care market. You’ll lead on identifying priorities and opportunities, manage relationships with care providers through effective contract management, and help design innovative changes to services that make a real difference.
Your responsibilities
- Overseeing contract management and provider relationship activities
- Managing quality monitoring and assurance activities for services
- Designing changes to services provided to people by care providers on behalf of the Council
That includes overseeing a portfolio of contracts and working with social work teams and people with lived experience to identify opportunities to make improvements to services.
You will need
- experience or capability in managing people, contracts, and service delivery
- the ability to empower individuals with lived experience to shape and improve services
- a track record of overseeing supplier or external partner performance to achieve shared goals
- confidence in working independently and managing your own workload effectively
- a genuine interest in developing your skills in relationship management, project coordination, and co-production with people who have lived experience.
You can view a full list of requirements 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
The Strategic Commissioning and Contract Management team is dedicated to delivering the best support offer for adults with disabilities. We’re proud of our collaborative spirit and commitment to continuous improvement. You’ll be supported by a large peer network, user-friendly tools, and regular engagement with managers and leaders. You will be expected to come into the office at least two days a week and we embrace hybrid working.
Empowering Everyone
We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are 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
Please contact Jonathan Miller-Williams for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 264363 or emailing jonathan.miller-williams@suffolk.gov.uk
How to apply
Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx).
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.
1. Describe a time when you developed or redesigned a service to deliver improved outcomes aligned with the 'People at the Heart of Care' principle - such as promoting sustainability, independence, quality, and amplifying people's voices.
2. Share an example of when you successfully influenced a provider or supplier to address a performance or quality issue by tackling the root causes, such as behavioural or operational constraints.
3. Using a real-life example, explain how your leadership has helped others manage competing priorities, feel supported, and work confidently and independently.
Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details). We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.
We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.
Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 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, 28 September 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
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).
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.