Operations and Partnerships Manager

Suffolk County Council

• Address: West Suffolk House, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3YU - 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

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of adults in Suffolk? Suffolk County Council is seeking a dynamic and experienced Operations and Partnerships Manager to join our West management team.

This key role involves managing area social work teams and contributing to the effective leadership of our services. You will support the Senior Management team in delivering high-quality services and fostering effective integration between health and social care. 

Reimagine The Possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities 

• Lead area social work teams to deliver high quality social care, reablement, mental health, and therapy services
• Collaborate with stakeholders and partners to ensure health and social care systems are joined up and accessible
• Promote Suffolk County Council’s vision, objectives, and priorities to staff, partners, and the public
• Drive a high-performance culture within area teams, focusing on customer needs and continuous improvement
• Manage operational service delivery, including planning, human resources, business development, and financial oversight
• Ensure compliance with statutory services and operational obligations, such as the Care Act 2014 and Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Lead specific projects and programmes, working with Area Directors, County Councillors, and health leaders.

You Will Need

• extensive experience in social work practice and assessment at a senior level
• strong understanding of key challenges facing local government and Adult Social Care
• proven ability to engage effectively with a wide range of partners and stakeholders
• skilled in managing resources to deliver efficient and effective outcomes
• capable of inspiring and motivating teams to achieve shared goals and high performance. 

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

You will manage the Operations and Partnership teams in West Suffolk area, as we progress to the emerging new operating model and locality-based alliances.  The area that you work in will be aligned to the clinical commissioning group footprint and you, along with the Senior Management team, will be responsible for the operational service delivery within it.  You will directly manage the Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, made up of social work services, occupational therapy and reablement services.

You will be responsible for the operational social work delivery in your area. 

You will work with local contract and service development teams and managers to understand, develop, and co-design practice that will inform future commissioning models and new ways of 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 Victoria Carter (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by calling 01473 263681.

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 CV (without name and personal details). 

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 CV, 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 recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk 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 October 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

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).