Operations and Partnerships Manager

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Operations and Partnerships Manager

🔹 Company: Suffolk County Council

🔹 Location: Lowestoft, Suffolk, United Kingdom

🔹 Job Type: Full time

🔹 Category: Government Administration

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-06-30

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Riverside, Lowestoft office)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading the delivery of high-quality, person-centred services across Adult Social Care
• Driving integration across health and social care systems
• Collaborating with Area Directors, County Councillors, and health leaders
• Leading key projects for continuous improvement and service transformation

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of operational management, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement skills. It's ideal for experienced professionals seeking to make a significant impact in the public sector.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead the delivery of high-quality, person-centred services across Adult Social Care

✅ Drive integration across health and social care systems to improve outcomes for service users

✅ Collaborate with Area Directors, County Councillors, and health leaders to deliver joined-up, impactful services

✅ Lead key projects that influence change and support continuous improvement

✅ Champion innovation and service transformation within your locality and across the wider directorate

ASSUMPTION: This role involves managing multiple projects, teams, and stakeholders, requiring strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize effectively.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Experience: Proven experience in operational management, preferably within Adult Social Care or a related field

Required Skills:

• Proven leadership and management skills
• Experience in building partnerships and influencing across complex systems
• Passion for delivering person-centred care and driving service improvement
• Commitment to collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the public sector or Adult Social Care
• Knowledge of Suffolk County Council and its services

ASSUMPTION: While specific qualifications are not mentioned, the role requires a combination of relevant experience, skills, and a strong commitment to public service.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £58,270 per annum (pro rata for part-time)

Benefits:

• Flexible working options available
• Permanent contract
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression

Working Hours: 37 hours per week

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is competitive for the public sector and reflects the seniority and responsibility of the role. Benefits include flexible working and opportunities for professional development.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Government Administration

Company Size: 5,001-10,000 employees

Founded: 1974

Company Description:

• Suffolk County Council is a modern, flexible, and effective council driven to make a positive difference to the environment, communities, and the careers of its people.
• The council aims to inspire and empower, improve and evolve, develop and innovate, and take pride and ownership of the world around them.
• It values authentic applications that showcase genuine skills and experiences.

Company Specialties:

• Adult Social Care
• Health and Social Care Integration
• Service Improvement and Transformation

Company Website: http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/careers

ASSUMPTION: Suffolk County Council is a large employer with a diverse range of career opportunities. It values diversity, inclusion, and authentic applications.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior Manager

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Head of Operations and Partnerships

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (Riverside, Lowestoft office with flexible working options)

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to more senior roles within Adult Social Care or related directorates
• Expansion of leadership and management skills through various projects and initiatives
• Opportunities to influence change and drive service improvement across the council

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for experienced professionals seeking to develop their leadership and management skills in a challenging and rewarding environment.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (Riverside, Lowestoft office with flexible working options)

Office Location(s): Riverside, Lowestoft, NR33 0EQ

Geographic Context:

• Lowestoft is a coastal town in Suffolk, England, with a population of approximately 70,000 people.
• The town is known for its fishing industry and has a mix of urban and rural environments.
• It is well-connected by road and public transport, with easy access to the A12 and A47 trunk roads.

Work Schedule: 37 hours per week, with flexible working options available

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a good balance between office-based collaboration and remote work, allowing for a flexible and productive work environment.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Supporting statement review
• Interview and assessment
• Final decision and offer

Key Assessment Areas:

• Leadership and management skills
• Partnership building and stakeholder engagement
• Service improvement and transformation
• Problem-solving and decision-making

Application Tips:

• Tailor your supporting statement to the job and person profile, addressing each question in no more than 400 words per question.
• Use the supporting statement template provided to ensure your application is well-structured and easy to read.
• Highlight your relevant experience and skills, using specific examples to demonstrate your abilities.

ATS Keywords: Operations, Partnerships, Adult Social Care, Health and Social Care Integration, Service Improvement, Leadership, Management, Collaboration, Innovation, Continuous Learning

ASSUMPTION: The application process is designed to assess candidates' skills, experience, and cultural fit for the role. Applicants should take the time to tailor their application to the specific requirements of the role and the council.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana, Trello)
• Data analysis and reporting tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau)

ASSUMPTION: The role requires strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools. Familiarity with data analysis and reporting tools is also beneficial.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Ambitious
• Collaborative
• Inclusive
• Respectful
• Supportive

Work Style:

• Flexible and adaptable
• Committed to continuous learning and improvement
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Results-driven and focused on delivering high-quality services

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a dynamic and challenging work environment?
• Are you committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred services?
• Do you have strong leadership and management skills, with experience in building partnerships and influencing across complex systems?
• Are you passionate about driving service improvement and transformation?

ASSUMPTION: Suffolk County Council values diversity, inclusion, and authenticity. Applicants should consider how their personal values and work style align with the council's values and work environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The role requires managing multiple projects and stakeholders, which can be challenging and time-consuming.
• The public sector can be bureaucratic and slow-moving, which may present obstacles to driving change and innovation.
• The role may require working with sensitive and confidential information, which carries ethical and legal responsibilities.
• The hybrid work arrangement may present challenges in maintaining effective communication and collaboration with team members and stakeholders.

ASSUMPTION: While the role presents several challenges, it also offers significant opportunities for professional development and growth in a supportive and ambitious environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to other senior management positions in Adult Social Care and related directorates within the public sector.
• However, it is unique in its focus on driving integration across health and social care systems and leading key projects for continuous improvement.
• Career progression may involve moving into more senior roles within Adult Social Care or related directorates, or exploring opportunities in other areas of the council.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the public sector, with potential for career progression and growth.

📝 Sample Projects

• Leading a project to integrate health and social care services, improving outcomes for service users
• Collaborating with Area Directors, County Councillors, and health leaders to deliver joined-up, impactful services
• Managing a large, multi-disciplinary team to ensure quality, compliance, and staff development

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse and challenging nature of the role, requiring strong leadership, management, and stakeholder engagement skills.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the current state of health and social care integration in Suffolk, and how this role will contribute to its improvement?
• How does the council support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the key priorities for the Adult Social Care directorate in the next 12-24 months, and how will this role contribute to their achievement?
• How does the council measure the success of its operations and partnerships, and how will this role be evaluated against these metrics?
• What opportunities are there for collaboration and knowledge-sharing with other directorates and departments within the council?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to assess the council's strategic priorities, work environment, and opportunities for professional development and growth.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Read the Job and Person Profile (docx)
• Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
• Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.
• Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.
• If you require any adjustment to this process due to a disability, please contact us at 03456 014412 or recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk.
• We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.
• 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, 08 July 2025

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.