Head of Community Support

Ipswich Borough Council; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Ipswich is seeking a passionate Head of Community Support to lead initiatives aimed at improving community outcomes. The role involves leading teams in community engagement, collaborating with local partners, and implementing innovative solutions to enhance service delivery. The ideal candidate should have strong leadership skills and experience in community support, making a tangible difference while fostering inclusivity. This position offers a competitive salary and numerous benefits, including flexible and hybrid working options.

Benefits

Career average pension scheme

Generous holiday and sick pay entitlements

Subsidised parking

Public transport discounts

Free swimming and gym membership

Cycle purchase scheme

Personal and professional development opportunities

Flexible working options

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience in community support or similar roles.
• Passionate about community engagement and inclusivity.
• Ability to lead diverse teams and collaborate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead teams delivering community services and activities.
• Develop and implement the Community Engagement Strategy.
• Collaborate with local Police and VCFSE organisations.

Skills

Leadership

Community Engagement

Innovative Problem Solving

Stakeholder Management

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Ipswich is a town with a rich heritage and an exciting future. As a regional centre, we play a vital role in Suffolk’s economic success. This is the perfect time to join us. We have developed a new corporate strategy and operating model that maximises the many opportunities available to us and defines our core purpose to champion our community and revitalise our town.

We are on an exciting journey as we look to champion our vibrant communities, prioritise the revitalisation of our county town, Ipswich and focus on providing the best support and engagement opportunities for our residents. As part of this, we are looking for a proactive and positive Head of Community Support to lead the Council in its ambition to improve the outcomes for our residents and communities.

Reporting to the Council’s Assistant Director, Communities and working closely with our Director of Place, you will lead the experienced and passionate teams which deliver a wide range of services and activities from community engagement and our work promoting community safety, to managing a busy alarm receiving centre which safeguards some of the Boroughs’ most vulnerable residents.

You will passionately champion the role of both residents and voluntary and community groups in making our town a place where people feel able to both influence services and access those they need. As a critical link into the local Police and VCFSE organisations, you will enjoy working closely with external partners to unpick difficult issues and come up with innovative ways to engage people in our services.

You will inspire our staff and engage our members and customers to make a tangible difference to the residents they work alongside, in partnership with our various statutory colleagues, all our other Suffolk councils and our thriving VCFSE sector. Our new Community Engagement Strategy will embed co-design into our services to ensure they meet the needs of our residents. You will be passionate about how you will ensure our activities meet the needs of our diverse communities and actively listen for what we can do better. Joining at a time when we are moving our engagement into new territories, you will be passionate about the use of digital solutions to reaching our residents better.

You will join at an exciting time for the future of our HEARS service, with new technology and a digital switch on the horizon, it is the perfect time to ensure we are making the most of every opportunity to support our most vulnerable residents. You will relish the challenge of working with key stakeholders such as Adult Social Care and the NHS to ensure the service delivers an effective and safe service which reduced demand on other elements of the system, ensuring people can stay independent in their homes for longer.

As a lead for our grants programme, you will be experienced in the need to evaluate and analyse to ensure quality outcomes for individuals and to evidence value for money in public sector spending. Ideally you will have examples of your own utilisation of technology to streamline processes and present compelling data on outcomes.

This is a great opportunity to contribute to Ipswich Borough Council’s future achievements, as well as being part of the senior management team driving delivery of our exciting Corporate Plan.

This is a role for a passionate innovator who will bring a wealth of enthusiasm, supplemented with experience of working in complex, multi-faceted leadership roles. We will give you the support and opportunity to develop and grow.

As well as a good salary, we offer a career average pension scheme, generous holiday and sick pay entitlements, subsidised parking for work and leisure, public transport discounts, free swimming and gym membership, cycle purchase scheme, plenty of personal and professional development opportunities, flexible working, hybrid working opportunities, Employee Assistance Programme and the opportunity to work with great colleagues.

This is an exceptional fixed term or secondment opportunity for the right candidate, with the initial contract until 31st March 2028, with the potential for extension.

Applying

Early applications are encouraged as we reserve the right to interview candidates who meet the essential criteria prior to the closing date and / or to close the opportunity to applicants once we receive sufficient applications.

Key Dates

• Applications close 11.59pm Sunday 25th January 2026
• Candidates will be informed by 30th January 2026
• Psychometric testing will be required for candidates invited to interview, and these will need to be completed by 7th February 2026
• Interviews are all day on Wednesday 11th February 2026

Please download the Job Description and Person Specification to find out more about this role: Job Description and Person Specification

Applications must be made by sending a current CV, Supporting Statement of not more than 3 A4 pages and Monitoring Form to [e-mail] by the deadline.

Ipswich Borough Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for Disabled Persons and veterans. You will be provided a confidential monitoring form which will ask this information, but should you wish to not disclose any personal circumstances, we respect your right to privacy.

For a confidential discussion, contact Kate Price, Assistant Director, Communities on [e-mail]

Documents to consider

IBC Corporate Strategy

Community Engagement Strategy

Digital Strategy

HEARS Personal Alarm Service – Peace of mind for you and your family