At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engagement initiatives to improve health and care services through real user experiences.
- Company: Join a mission-driven organisation dedicated to enhancing public health and care.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27+ days of annual leave, training opportunities, and wellbeing initiatives.
- Other info: Flexible working options available, including home-based and hybrid roles.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact by shaping how services listen to and engage with users.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing contracts, public engagement, and system improvement is essential.
The predicted salary is between 42044 - 47900 £ per year.
Grade B: 42,044 (National) or 47,900 (London for London office based or homebased workers within the boundary of the M25). There is also an additional homeworking allowance of 600 per annum for those working from home. For part time roles please note this will be pro rata.
Contracted Hours: Full-time 37 hours per week.
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: Home-based OR office-based opportunity, flexible location. You can also opt for hybrid working (3 office days and 2 days a week from home). CQC offices are in London, Newcastle, Leeds, Nottingham and Bristol.
Closing Date: Monday 29 June 2026 at 11.59pm
Make a difference. Every role at CQC supports our mission to improve health and care. If you're looking for a meaningful role in Engagement, this could be the one for you.
As an Experts by Experience Lead, you'll be part of the Engagement, Insight and Evaluation team. You'll help shape and deliver a national programme that brings people who use services and their carers into the heart of how we work. You'll also support the supervision of supplier contracts that make this possible and ensure we work in a way that is fair, inclusive and effective.
Picture this. In the last 12 months, as the Experts by Experience Lead, you could have:
- Designed and introduced new ways for people who use services to take part in CQC's work, helping improve how we listen and respond to real experiences.
- Led the rollout of new engagement methods with suppliers, ensuring the programme continued smoothly during change.
- Developed practical tools and guidance to increase public involvement in inspections and regulatory activity across England.
The role. You'll play a key role in the organisation by:
- Supporting effective supplier relationship management to ensure day-to-day delivery meets operational needs.
- Monitoring contract performance against KPIs, including financial monitoring and reporting and contract risk log.
- Overseeing the delivery of and participating in contract management meetings.
- Reviewing inspector and ExE feedback to inform service delivery and quality assurance.
- Developing methodologies, policies and guidance relating to the ExE programme.
- Participating in ExE training and co-production/consultation events.
- Developing and improving systems to track ExE co-production activity and outcomes.
- Supporting the planning and delivery of public engagement work across teams.
- Providing advice and guidance on handling queries, concerns and complaints linked to the programme.
- Providing advice and guidance to colleagues at all levels across the commission on engaging effectively with the ExE programme.
Show us. Please demonstrate in your application:
- Experience of managing high value contracts or external suppliers, including monitoring performance and delivery.
- Experience designing or improving systems to track activity, performance and finances.
- Experience working in public engagement, communications or a related field, involving a range of partners or stakeholders.
Compliance. To progress your application, you'll need to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK. Without valid right to work you won't be eligible for the role. We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. Some roles may also be subject to a satisfactory DBS check.
Next steps. If you apply, you'll need to create a profile and complete an online application form. Your application will be completely anonymous. We contact every applicant to let them know the outcome of their application, so you will hear from us whether or not you are shortlisted.
You can read the full details of the role in the Job Description. If you'd like an informal chat about the role contact Maria Ostoja-Starzewski, Experts by Experience Manager; Maria. For general enquiries, please email.
The Benefits. We offer a wide range of benefits, including:
- Annual leave starting at 27 days per year, rising to 32.5 days with service, plus bank holidays (usually 8 days per year).
- Training and development opportunities.
- Wellbeing initiatives, such as gym discounts and meditation.
- NHS pension scheme, with around 14% employer contribution.
- Discount schemes (including eligibility for a Blue Light card, at a cost of 4.99 and valid for 2 years), reward vouchers, car leasing and more!
Equity for all. We know job descriptions can feel intimidating. Research shows they can cause some people to doubt whether they're a good fit. This happens more often to people from underrepresented groups (e.g. ethnic minority backgrounds). If this role interests you, we encourage you to apply. Your unique perspective, skills, and experience could be exactly what we need.
We want every candidate to feel supported and able to do their best. If you need adjustments to our process, we'll work with you to remove any barriers. Visit our accessibility page for more on this. If you'd like to chat, please contact. Please note, if you have previously informed us of adjustments you need for interview or within your role these are not carried over and must be discussed for each individual application you make.
We promote a workplace where fairness, respect and inclusion are a priority. Diverse teams make our work better, help us deliver our mission and make our culture stronger. We welcome applications from everyone, and colleagues can find support and community among our many employee networks.
This includes people of any: Age, Sex, Gender identity or expression, Sexual orientation, Religion or belief, Ethnicity, Disability.
Values and vision. We are guided by our core values, which shape our work and our culture:
- Excellence - being a high-performing organisation.
- Caring - treating everyone with dignity and respect.
- Integrity - doing the right thing.
- Teamwork - learning from each other to be the best we can.
We are a disability confident employer and a carer confident employer.
A Note on AI. AI tools can be great for research and refining ideas, but we want to learn about you. If you use AI or Chatbots to help you with your application, keep these points in mind: AI can support research, structuring and refining your writing, but your application must reflect your real skills and experience. Spell-checking and condensing word counts are great ways to use AI effectively. Do not copy and paste AI generated answers. These will not help you stand out; remember we want to hear about your skills and experience. Providing false and insincere examples goes against our core values of honesty and integrity and may lead to your application being withdrawn or termination of your employment.
Experts by Experience Lead employer: What Jobs
At CQC, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a flexible work environment that includes home-based, office-based, and hybrid options across multiple locations. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through extensive training and development opportunities, alongside a supportive culture that values diversity and inclusion. With generous benefits such as 27 days of annual leave, an NHS pension scheme, and wellbeing initiatives, we ensure our team members feel valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact in health and care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Experts by Experience Lead
✨Dive into Local Government Events
Get yourself to local government events and public sector job fairs. These are great for meeting recruiters and understanding what different organisations, like What Jobs, are looking for. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the sector!
✨Join Relevant Networks
Look for communities focused on public sector careers. Whether it’s local networking groups or online forums, connecting with professionals in the field can provide insider knowledge and opportunities that you won’t find on typical job boards.
✨Utilise Your University’s Resources
If you’re freshly graduated or still studying, make the most of your university's careers service. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies like What Jobs and can help you get your foot in the door for these full-time public sector roles.
✨Stay Updated with Government Initiatives
Keep your finger on the pulse regarding new government projects and policies. Understanding current initiatives can give you a leg up in interviews, showing that you are informed and genuinely interested in making a difference in the public sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Experts by Experience Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for What Jobs and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at What Jobs
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with What Jobs, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for What Jobs.