• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX and Hybrid working
• Salary: £40,777 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, Flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

At Suffolk County Council, we’re reimagining what local government can achieve. As a Senior Commissioning and Contracts Officer in the Early Interventions and Prevention Strategic Commissioning and Contract Management team, you will help shape Suffolk’s future through innovation, collaboration, and community impact. If you are ready to make a real difference, we are ready to support your journey.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

In this role, you will provide senior support to all elements of the commissioning cycle from planning, service redesign, market development, procurement and contract management activity.

It will focus on the development of the accommodation-based support offers alongside ways of working and wider partnership working that enables the ‘right care, at the right time, in the right place’. This post requires strong partnership working across social care, housing, other public sector areas, the Care Market and people with lived experience.

Specifically, you will:

• Collaborate across health, social care, and housing to manage requirements and opportunities to support individuals to live independently where they have support needs.
• Support decision making in relation to new housing-with-care developments and provide social care oversight into ongoing developments
• Engage and support providers through SCC processes around new accommodation-based care proposals, co-ordinating with strategic partners
• Work alongside colleagues to provide project management, co-ordination and oversight of internal SCC led accommodation-based developments
• Support intelligence- led commissioning through data collection and sector insights to inform demand and models for commissioned social care services
• Communicate and represent the Council’s interests in relation to housing and planning through attendance at various groups
• Research and review best practice standards in relation to housing with care and consider applicability in a Suffolk context
• Co-ordinate meetings, groups and forums to support decision making around accommodation-based proposals and facilitate partnership opportunities
• Facilitate Engagement Events with Co-production partners including the Care Market, people with lived experience, Health, Housing and CYP.
• Lead on Contract Management and Quality Assurance activities to ensure that commissioned services are delivered to specification and within cost

You will be part of a team that values curiosity, collaboration, and compassion. Every day brings the chance to make a meaningful impact.

What you will need

• Lived experience or professional exposure to care and housing services
• Experience working with external partners to achieve shared outcomes
• Strong organisational and communication skills – written and verbal
• An understanding of data insights and intelligence to inform decision making
• A curious mindset and a passion for making a difference
• Willingness to learn and grow in commissioning and contract management

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

Our Early Interventions and Prevention 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’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

Please contact Jade Rowlinson for a casual conversation. You can contact them by either calling 01473 264514 or emailing jade.rowlinson@suffolk.gov.uk

If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.

How to apply

Step 1 – Read the Job and Person Profile (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.

1. Can you share a time that you’ve worked with other groups to achieve shared positive outcomes despite different priorities?
2. What is a good example of how you’ve worked with somebody to understand and respond to their needs?
3. Could you tell us about a time that you encountered a problem and had to solve it by developing a new skill?
4. Can you provide us with an example of a time you had to organise something urgently starting from an unclear starting position?

Step 4 – Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

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.

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412.

You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages. If you’re invited to the next stage, you’ll have another chance to request adjustments.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 12 March 2026

Promoted as SPJ (Standard Plus Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

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).