Operations and Partnerships Manager

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 61,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in England is seeking an Operations and Partnerships Manager to lead the Independence and Wellbeing Service. The role requires strong leadership skills in adult social care and the ability to manage stakeholder relationships and operational strategies. Applicants should have a background as a Social Worker or Occupational Therapist, and significant leadership experience in the field. This position offers a competitive salary and flexible working options.

Benefits

29 days of annual leave plus public holidays

Membership of Local Government Pension Scheme

Health and wellbeing benefits

Performance-related pay progression

Training and career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant experience in adult social care leadership.
• Deep understanding of local government and ASC challenges.
• Proven ability to manage risk and deliver high-quality services.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational delivery for Independence and Wellbeing Service.
• Drive performance and customer outcomes.
• Foster partnerships and build networks.

Skills

Leadership in adult social care

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Team motivation

Creative thinking

Education

Registration as a Social Worker or Occupational Therapist

Job description

Job Description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, IP1 2BX - Hybrid
• Salary: £60,135 per annum (pro rata)
• Hours:37 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract:Fixed Term or Secondment for 12 months

At Suffolk County Council, we believe in the power of people. We celebrate diversity, champion inclusion, and empower our teams to thrive. This is your opportunity to step into a dynamic leadership role as Operations and Partnerships Manager within our Independence and Wellbeing Service (IWS) - a service that truly values innovation, collaboration, and impact.

This is a fixed-term development opportunity where your ideas, leadership, and passion for adult social care can make a real difference.

Your role and responsibilities

As Operations and Partnerships Manager, you'll work closely with the Head of Contact and Assessment to:

• Lead the county-wide IWS, overseeing teams in Ipswich, Lowestoft, and Bury St Edmunds
• Manage operational delivery including planning, HR, business development, and financial oversight
• Provide strategic and operational leadership for Independent Living Suffolk, collaborating with key stakeholders
• Drive performance and continuous improvement with a strong focus on risk management and customer outcomes
• Offer professional advice and case support to practitioners across the service
• Foster strong partnerships and build on existing networks, projects, and workstreams
• Support and deliver Adult Social Care (ASC) priorities in collaboration with other services
• Champion Suffolk County Council's vision and transformation initiatives
• Ensure compliance with statutory responsibilities including the Care Act 2014 and Mental Capacity Act 2005

What we are looking for

We're seeking a confident and compassionate leader who brings:

• Registration as a Social Worker or Occupational Therapist.
• Significant experience in adult social care leadership (e.g. Team Manager level).
• A deep understanding of the challenges facing local government and ASC.
• Proven ability to motivate teams, manage risk, and deliver high-quality services.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership-building skills.
• A creative and forward-thinking mindset, especially around the 'front door' of Adult Social Care.

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 Independence and Wellbeing Service (IWS) is the front door to Adult Social Care in Suffolk. Working alongside Customer First and other Contact and Assessment teams, IWS provides early support through:

• Reablement services
• Short-term assessments
• Mental capacity assessments
• Home visits
• Commissioning and reviewing support
• Advice, information, equipment, and digital care aids

As the Independence and Wellbeing Service operates across Suffolk, this role will require regular travel to our offices in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, and Lowestoft.

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 Katherine Lees (Head of Contact and Assessment) for a casual conversation. You can reach her via teams or by emailing [e-mail]

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 stating what skills and experience you will bring to this role.

• You should use theSupporting Statement Template
• Please use Arial font size 11 and keep your statement to a maximum of 1000 words.

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, 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 [e-mail] 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, 19 November 2025.

Interview date: 27 November 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

About Us

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).