Strategy and Policy Development Officer

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Strategy and Policy Development Officer to join our Contracts and Commissioning Team. Our Contracts and Commissioning Team play a vital role in shaping the future of adult social care. We are the bridge between strategy and delivery, ensuring that the services people rely on every day are high-quality, sustainable, and responsive to changing needs. We design and procure care and support services that empower adults to live independently, safely and with dignity; we work closely with providers, community organisations, and stakeholders to co-create solutions that reflect local needs. Through robust contract management, we make sure services deliver excellent outcomes while offering value for money; we explore new models of care, pilot fresh approaches, and use data and insight to inform smarter commissioning decisions. Our work influences how adult social care evolves, ensuring services are future-proof and aligns with national and local priorities.

Joining our team means being at the heart of transformation. You will help shape services that directly improve lives, contribute to policy that sets the direction for care, and collaborate with like-minded colleagues who are committed to making a difference.

In this role, you will lead ambitious work streams and projects that transform adult social care services by delivering innovative strategies and commissioning initiatives that improve outcomes for individuals; You will provide expert guidance and technical advice to colleagues and partners across the sector and have the opportunity to influence policy and service redesign at local, regional and national levels, ensuring services are sustainable, high-quality, and deliver real value for money.

You’ll be at the heart of prevention, early intervention, and service transformation – helping us meet national and local commitments while driving forward new ways of working.

Key Responsibilities:

• Shape strategy and policy: Lead on the design and delivery of innovative commissioning strategies, service improvements, and policy development projects that transform adult social care and improve outcomes for service users
• Drive Value and quality: Ensure services deliver excellent standards, measurable outcomes, and best value for money through robust market analysis, contract performance monitoring, and quality assurance.
• Engage and influence stakeholders: Build strong relationships with people with lived experience of Adult Social Care including their carers, providers, community organisations, and partners across health, and local government – enabling meaningful co-production and removing barriers to engagement.
• Lead complex projects: Take ownership of high-profile commissioning and service redesign initiatives, managing resources effectively and embedding new ways of working across teams and partner organisations
• Champion best practice: Provide expert technical advice, share knowledge, and represent the council at local, regional, and national forums – influencing policy, promoting innovation, and ensuring our work reflects the latest evidence and research.

This is more than just a role – it’s a chance to shape the future of adult social care; As a Strategy and Policy Development Officer, you’ll be part of a forward-thinking team that values innovation, collaboration and impact. You’ll have the opportunity to influence policy at local, regional, and national levels, while working alongside passionate, like-minded colleagues and partners who share your commitment to improving lives.

We’re looking for someone who is motivated by challenge, driven by purpose, and ready to make a real difference. In return, you’ll gain professional development, the chance to lead meaningful projects, and the satisfaction of knowing your work directly improves outcomes for people in our communities.

If you’re ready to bring your expertise, creativity, and leadership to a role where every day counts – we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today and help us build a stronger, fairer, and more sustainable future for adult social care.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an standard Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Mobile/Field Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 0-1 day in the office
• Includes field workers who primarily work remotely.
• Comes into the office for meetings or focused work. Virtual connections with the team are essential, with portable technology supporting work on the go.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about Adult Social Care and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• Vocational qualification or equivalent experience to at least NQF level 6 in a care, health or business-related subject relevant to working with people who have long term health conditions and / or are disabled as a result of those conditions.
• Significant post-qualifying experience and continued professional development in relevant areas, providing both theoretical knowledge and practical understanding to recommend service development in line with new strategies and legal obligations
• Proven experience of working with the most complex and challenging areas of adult social care services
• Demonstrable experience in service development and embedding improvements into work methodologies.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of commissioning and decommissioning cycles, and legislation relevant to adult social care
• Ability to build and develop effective working relationships with councillors, senior officers, external agencies (including health services, community and voluntary sector), and service users / carers.
• Experience of effective partnership working with external stakeholders, including through formal structures and processes.
• Experience of developing and writing strategy, policy, planning documents and formal reports.
• Ability to understand and analyse policy changes (internal or from central government) and assess their impact on services in both strategic and operational contexts
• Strong analytical skills: ability to collect, collate, and interpret evidence, presenting findings to stakeholders and senior decision-makers.
• Ability to manage and organise own workload and that of colleagues to meet agreed deadlines
• Clear understanding of financial constraints, value for money, and budget monitoring.
• Professional integrity, with a strong understanding and recognition of professional boundaries

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of working effectively within an Adult Social Care department or similar organisation, including direct work with councillors, non-executives, and senior managers
• Experience of representing an organisation at local, regional, or national forums, contributing to joint planning and commissioning activity
• Experience of working closely with research institutes to influence and disseminate best practice guidance.
• Experience of leading or chairing working groups, providing reports, briefings, and recommendations to senior leaders and elected members
• Experience of leading on a specialist area within commissioning or service transformation, acting as a subject matter expert.

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and valuesand are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Teresa Stanley, Head of Strategy and Commissioning, at teresa.stanley@n-somerset.gov.uk

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: Tuesday 13 January 2026.

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.