Assistant Director, Integrated Commissioning and Contracts

Integrated Care System; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading council in Suffolk is seeking an Assistant Director of Integrated Commissioning and Contracts. This permanent, full-time position is pivotal in transforming adult social care and promoting independence through innovative services. The successful candidate will lead strategic commissioning efforts while ensuring quality and efficiency in service delivery. Flexible working options are available.

Benefits

Up to 29 days annual leave entitlement

Membership of Local Government Pension Scheme

Travel, lifestyle, health, and wellbeing benefits

Performance-related pay progression

Training and development opportunities

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification or equivalent senior leadership experience.
• Ongoing professional development.
• Passion for making a difference.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic commissioning for Adult Social Care.
• Align commissioning practices across the council.
• Manage complex projects within budget.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic commissioning

Partnership working

Communication

Education

Relevant postgraduate qualification

Ongoing professional development

Job description

Assistant Director, Integrated Commissioning and Contracts

Please submit your application via Suffolk Jobs Direct - Assistant Director, Integrated Commissioning and Contracts.

In Suffolk adult social care, we have recently agreed on a new strategic approach focused on using innovation and technology to support independence, sustainability, and high-quality care. We aim to involve people who use services, their support networks, and front-line staff in designing more personalized services that better meet needs.

We are adopting a system-wide perspective and need professionals capable of working across the health and social care system in Suffolk. We are developing new approaches to integrated commissioning with the NHS Integrated Care Board and collaborating with NHS provider organizations to deliver coordinated care solutions. Our voluntary, community, faith, social enterprise, and independent care sector providers are central to our future care model.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Adult Social Care, this role is pivotal in leading this transformation. It will focus on developing market options and commissioning services that promote independence and deliver tailored, outcome-focused support.

Main duties of the job

This leadership role is at the core of Suffolk's adult social care transformation. You will lead strategic commissioning for Adult Social Care, focusing on developing high-quality, sustainable, and person-centered services that enhance independence and well-being.

About us

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit diverse skills, abilities, and ambitions. We provide flexible working options to support individual needs. We are committed to making a positive difference and encourage driven individuals to join us and build impactful careers. Reimagine the possibilities.

• 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, alongside annual cost-of-living increases
• Training and development opportunities
• A variety of career development pathways
• Diverse and active staff networks
• Flexible working options, with the right to request flexible arrangements from day one

For more information about our benefits, values, and equality commitments, please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).

Job responsibilities

Please submit your application via Suffolk Jobs Direct - Assistant Director, Integrated Commissioning and Contracts.

This key role provides strategic leadership for commissioning within Adult Social Care and organizational-wide leadership to align commissioning practices across Suffolk County Council, especially focusing on people-related services.

The successful candidate will contribute to the Council's strategic planning and support the development of a shared vision for preventative services that promote independence, well-being, and reduce health inequalities.

You will lead in Adult Social Care and collaborate with Public Health & Communities (PH&C) and Children & Young People (CYP) services to better align strategic commissioning, market shaping, and social care service development for children, young people, adults, and their carers, as well as public health services, fostering strong partnerships, high-quality services, and value for money.

As a professional lead, you will oversee services including, but not limited to:

• Commissioned residential care for children and adults
• Domiciliary care, day services, early intervention, hospital discharge services, voluntary, and community services
• Market oversight and shaping
• Procurement and contract management of relevant services
• Brokerage of care and support services

This role ensures the delivery of high-quality, sustainable care services through effective, risk-based contract management, supporting positive outcomes for residents. You will work with directorates to ensure programs delivered on behalf of partners or as the Council's responsibility are effective, fostering a vibrant local market, a skilled workforce, community wealth building, and social value.

You will report directly to the Executive Director for Adult Social Care and work collaboratively on organizational improvement initiatives across the council. Your responsibilities include providing strategic advice, leading a multidisciplinary team, managing programs and projects, and ensuring service quality and efficiency.

This list is not exhaustive; personal objectives aligned with our People Plans and Strategies will be discussed and agreed upon at the start of your tenure.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• A relevant postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience at a senior leadership level
• Evidence of ongoing professional development

Experience

• A passion for making a positive difference in Suffolk
• Commitment to fairness, equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI)
• Proven ability to lead change and reform in social care services
• Experience in strategic commissioning, market shaping, and delivering innovative service models
• Experience managing complex projects within budget and time constraints
• Strong partnership working across organizational boundaries, especially between health and social care
• Deep knowledge of social care markets and statutory frameworks
• Excellent communication skills for diverse audiences

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This role is subject to a DBS check due to its nature involving vulnerable populations.

Salary: £85,289 to £102,448 per year with performance-based progression. This is a permanent, full-time position with flexible, home, or remote working options.