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Suffolk County Council; Lowestoft; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 29 days pro rata

LGPS pension

Travel benefits

Wellbeing benefits

Pay progression

Training

Career development

Staff networks

Flexible working

Job summary

Suffolk County Council is seeking a Team Manager in the Youth and Communities Service. The role is permanent with hybrid working, 37 hours per week, and a focus on leading change and improving services for children, young people and families.

You will have a Level 6 qualification or equivalent, substantial youth services experience, and a proven track record in staff development, safeguarding and budget management. Driving licence and travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Level 6 qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant area.
• Substantial experience of working within youth services and coordinating youth-based provision.
• Proven experience of leading, managing and developing staff to improve performance and service delivery.
• Ability to build effective relationships and work collaboratively across a wide range of professional disciplines.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, risk and the needs of children, young people, families and communities.
• Experience of managing resources and budgets effectively.
• Strong planning, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to analyse complex information, influence others and make sound decisions.
• Confidence and resilience to lead teams through service change and implement new ways of working.
• Commitment to listening to children, young people and families and using their views to inform service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead services through a period of development and implement future service designs.
• Support and develop your team to improve performance and delivery.
• Collaborate across departments and partners to strengthen prevention and early intervention.

Skills

People management

Stakeholder engagement

Budget management

Safeguarding

Change management

Strategic planning

Communication

Education

Level 6 qualification or equivalent

Job description

• Location: Riverside, Lowestoft NR33 0EQ, hybrid working
• Salary: £48,163 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. As a Team Manager in our Youth and Communities Service, you will see the direct impact of your work on children, young people, families and the communities that make Suffolk special. Join us and turn your passion for progress into action.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

This is an opportunity to lead services through an important period of development. While the Team Manager role is not part of the proposed restructure, you will play a key role in leading the implementation of future service designs and supporting your team through change.

You will need

We are looking for an experienced and confident manager with a strong background in youth work or youth-based services.

You will need:

• a suitable professional qualification at Level 6, or equivalent experience at a seasoned professional level in a relevant area of work
• substantial experience of working within youth services and coordinating youth-based provision
• proven experience of leading, managing and developing staff to improve performance and service delivery
• the ability to build effective relationships and work collaboratively across a wide range of professional disciplines
• a strong understanding of safeguarding, risk and the needs of children, young people, families and communities
• experience of managing resources and budgets effectively
• strong planning, written and verbal communication skills
• the ability to analyse complex information, influence others and make sound decisions
• the confidence and resilience to lead teams through service change and implement new ways of working
• a commitment to listening to children, young people and families and using their views to inform service delivery.

Experience of leading change management initiatives, working with partner agencies and using solution-focused approaches would be beneficial.

Due to the nature of this role, you will be required to have a driving licence and access to personal transport. If you feel you can meet these travel requirements through other suitable means, please contact the Hiring Manager before applying to discuss.

The team

Our Youth and Communities service brings together Suffolk County Council’s universal early help, youth and community-based provision and forms a core part of the Families First system.

The service includes Family Hubs, Partnership Officers, Young Persons Workers and other preventative and community-facing services. We work closely with the Integrated Front Door, Family Help, Safeguarding and wider partners so children, young people and families can access the right support early and within their communities.

Partnership working is at the heart of our approach. You will work alongside colleagues across Children and Young People’s Services, Public Health, education, health, policing, and the voluntary and community sector to strengthen prevention, early intervention and joined‑up 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 Becky Brame for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 07860833451 or emailing: [e-mail]

Interview date: 29 September 2026.

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. A DBS check will be undertaken for the successful candidate.

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.

• 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