Head of Development & Partnerships in Colchester

Head of Development & Partnerships in Colchester

Colchester Full-Time 29250 - 35750 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead strategic growth and partnerships to enhance services for adults with complex needs.
  • Company: Calm Futures, dedicated to meaningful and person-centred care.
  • Benefits: Influential leadership role with a clear social purpose and values.
  • Other info: Join a growing organisation focused on innovative solutions and community needs.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of adult social care and make a real impact.
  • Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in business development within health or social care.

The predicted salary is between 29250 - 35750 £ per year.

Are you an ambitious, commercially minded senior leader with a strong track record in business development, strategic partnerships and growth within adult social care?

Calm Futures provide specialist supported living, residential and community support for adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs and complex care requirements.

We are committed to helping people live meaningful lives with dignity, choice and independence, supported by high-quality, person-centred care.

Our work is guided by four core values

Meaningful, Limitless, Creative and Aspirational .

These values shape how we support people, how we work with families and professionals, and how we develop services that deliver better outcomes.

What you'll be doing

Working closely with the Executive Leadership Team, you will lead Calm Futures' strategic growth agenda, identifying and delivering sustainable opportunities to expand our services, develop innovative models of support and build long-term strategic partnerships.

  • Develop and deliver Calm Futures' Growth and Partnerships Strategy.
  • Identify sustainable growth opportunities across supported living, residential and specialist community services.
  • Build trusted relationships with Local Authorities, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), NHS organisations, commissioners, housing providers and other strategic partners.
  • Identify gaps in local provision and develop innovative services that respond to changing community needs.
  • Maintain a strong pipeline of development opportunities and ensure effective CRM tracking and reporting.
  • Lead high-quality tenders, proposals, presentations and business cases.
  • Lead commercial discussions and negotiations with commissioners and strategic partners.
  • Explore new geographical markets, housing developments, joint ventures and strategic partnerships.
  • Work with operational teams to successfully mobilise new services and contracts.
  • Monitor commissioning priorities, market trends and emerging opportunities to inform strategic decision-making.

About you

You will be an experienced senior leader who combines strong commercial judgement with a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for people.

You will understand the adult social care landscape and be confident building influential relationships with commissioners, health partners and other senior stakeholders.

  • Significant senior-level experience in business development, strategic partnerships, commissioning or organisational growth within health or adult social care.
  • Proven track record of delivering sustainable growth and securing new business.
  • Strong relationships and experience working with Local Authorities, NHS organisations, ICBs and commissioners.
  • Demonstrable experience of leading successful tenders and competitive procurement processes.
  • Experience translating market opportunities into successful operational services.
  • Strong understanding of adult social care commissioning, procurement and regulatory frameworks.
  • Excellent commercial awareness, negotiation, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
  • Strong written communication skills, including bid, tender and proposal writing.
  • Experience within regulated adult social care services.
  • Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across Calm Futures' operational regions.

Experience within learning disabilities, autism, mental health, complex care, supported living, residential care, housing partnerships or service mobilisation would be particularly advantageous.

  • Join a growing organisation with a clear social purpose and values rooted in being

Meaningful, Limitless, Creative and Aspirational .

  • Take on an influential senior leadership role with the opportunity to shape Calm Futures' future growth strategy.
  • Build strategic partnerships that enable more people with complex needs to access exceptional support.
  • Develop innovative services and housing solutions in response to genuine gaps in local provision.
  • Make a visible impact on sustainable growth while ensuring quality and positive outcomes remain at the heart of every opportunity.
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Head of Development & Partnerships in Colchester employer: Calm Futures

Calm Futures is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, where strategic thinkers can thrive. Located in a vibrant community, we offer competitive benefits, professional development opportunities, and a commitment to employee well-being, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the finance sector.

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Contact Details:

Calm Futures Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Development & Partnerships in Colchester

Dive into Local Community Groups

Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Calm Futures.

Attend Social Work Events and Workshops

Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Calm Futures!

Showcase Your Passion and Expertise

Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Calm Futures, will notice your enthusiasm!

Leverage Your Network

Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Calm Futures or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Development & Partnerships in Colchester

Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Flexibility
Organizational Skills
Adaptability
Attention to Detail
Time Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.

Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!

Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!

Tailor Your Application to Calm Futures:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Calm Futures! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Calm Futures

Understanding the Role of Empathy

In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.

Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks

Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.

Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills

In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.

Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.