Commissioning and Contracts Manager

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX and Hybrid working
• Salary: £48,163 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, Flexible working options available.
• Contract: Permanent

We're passionate about improving the future and lives of the people we support, supporting and empowering them to live independently and enjoy ordinary, fulfilling lives within their communities. If you share that passion, join us as a Commissioning and Contracts Manager in our Strategic Commissioning and Contracts Team. Your innovation, ambition and commitment will help shape meaningful change, continually improving the way we work. With the support and opportunities, we offer, you'll make a real difference and leave a positive, lasting legacy.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

We're looking for a proactive Commissioning and Contracts Manager to drive smarter, more efficient services. You'll optimise contracts, analyse third party spend, and shape future service models to ensure our commissioning approach is sustainable and aligned with strategic priorities. Working closely with colleagues and partners, you'll use insight, data and creativity to support transformation and improve outcomes for communities.

In this role, you will:

• Improve and optimise contracts to strengthen value and service quality.
• Analyse and manage third party spend to ensure accountability and sustainability.
• Model services to reflect strategic priorities and commissioning intentions.
• Work collaboratively across programmes, providing challenge, insight and support.
• Use performance data to inform decisions and strengthen outcomes.
• Promote continuous improvement and encourage agile, smarter commissioning.

Day to day, you may:

• Identify trends and opportunities through contract analysis.
• Lead discussions with providers on performance, quality and innovation.
• Collaborate with engaged colleagues across teams.
• Influence meaningful change that impacts people's lives.

You will need

• Relevant commissioning and contract management experience, supported by study or practical expertise.
• A collaborative, creative and co productive mindset, bringing ideas, curiosity and problem solving skills.
• Strong analytical and strategic ability, using data, financial insight and big picture thinking to inform decisions.
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills, influencing and working effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• A resilient, improvement focused approach, taking ownership, delivering quality work, and driving continuous improvement.

We are genuinely excited about welcoming someone into this role who wants to make a real difference. If you love solving complex challenges, working with great people, and driving smarter commissioning, you'll thrive here. We're ready to support you, champion your growth, and celebrate the impact you make.

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.