Director of Transformation and Strategy

We are delighted that you are considering joining our team at North Northamptonshire Council.

By recognising that our employees are our greatest asset, we invest in, value and develop them to progress our ambition to be an employer of choice. Our corporate values and behaviours also encourage customer focus, efficiency and support our employees to achieve.

Main purpose

As a member of the Corporate Leadership Team (CLT), you will: 

• play a pivotal role in delivering the council’s corporate priorities and the business goals of your designated directorate services
• provide effective leadership that drives continuous improvement and positions the council at the forefront of local government transformation
• be a catalyst for organisational change—directing and delivering transformation programmes and policy strategies that are cohesive, informed by evidence, and aligned with the council’s long-term ambitions. You will ensure that these programmes are underpinned by robust performance management and benefit realisation frameworks
• lead the council’s ambition to shape the future of local government and influence evolving sector policy
• drive and oversee the 'One Council Programme' to enable ongoing innovation and evolution
• strategically lead the Big 50 Vision, fostering collaborative relationships with stakeholders, communities, and partners across the public system
• develop and implement corporate strategies that support modern ways of working and a high-performing organisational culture
• embed a leadership ethos that empowers colleagues to innovate, drives efficiency and continuously improves services for residents
• provide expert advice to CLT and elected members on organisational development and transformation
• represent and make decisions on behalf of the Chief Executive and Corporate Leadership Team and council at various corporate and cross council committees and boards

Role specific responsibilities 

The Director of Transformation and Strategy will have direct responsibility for the leadership and management of the following functions and services:

1. Develop, direct and lead the council’s transformational change portfolio and organisation strategy function, ensuring a high performing Transformation and Strategy directorate, to ensure that the council can respond to new challenges, and investment remains aligned to the council’s ambition
2. Lead the council-wide strategic and partnership transformation agenda, including embedding and delivering a ‘One Council’ approach that incorporates all programmes and projects across the council
3. Lead major corporate change activity across all directorates, re-engineering and reshaping the work of the council to deliver efficiencies and support better outcomes for the residents and communities of North Northamptonshire through:
   1. Data led option appraisal plans that inform senior leaders on strategic transformation decisions and ensure that outcomes are achieved
   2. Robust monitoring and review processes that optimise council performance
   3. Ongoing review of the change pipeline ensuring effective prioritisation and alignment with strategies
4. Lead and manage the Transformation unit activity throughout the council, our Performance, Intelligence and Partnerships team and develop a Corporate Policy team
5. Lead the Corporate Policy team to ensure that the council has the right organisational strategies and corporate plans and policies in place to deliver its strategic aims and ambition. This will include using analysis and evaluation of strategic opportunities and options - including external policy and market developments - to support strategic decision and policy making with evidence and expert advice
6. Initiate and drive new programmes of work, including further developing and strengthening the organisational performance management framework through the development of tools, metrics and technology to support improved and effective organisational decision making including at the highest levels
7. Provide confidence and assurance to CLT and members by ensuring that transparent, accountable and effective methodologies are embedded and values-based transformation is delivered
8. Drive transformational change, fostering and leading a culture of continuous improvement that reflects the values of the council and encourages empowerment and innovation
9. Lead and manage the LGA Graduate Scheme
10. Engage with senior political and managerial leaders to ensure effective governance within the council, including the legality, probity, integrity, proper public accountability and scrutiny of decision-making processes
11. Be a fully participating member of the council’s Corporate Leadership Team, driving strategy and performance, efficiencies and championing the delivery of the council’s vision and strategy with councillors, partners, community representatives and colleagues

 Political interface and member relations 

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with elected members, working with members to foster a positive and productive interface between members and officers across the council
• Work with, advise and support elected members in formulating appropriate strategies and plans to deliver modern, efficient and effective services
• Promote a culture of political awareness amongst officers to help translate political will into appropriate future strategies and delivery of objectives

Leading partnerships, collaboration and managing reputation 

• Represent the council and its interests through personal influence and engagement in partnerships at all levels within the public, private and voluntary sectors, and to act as an ambassador for the council, at all times
• Lead the work on the BIG50 Vision and wider initiatives to ensure that the council is properly represented in its discussions with local, regional, and central government, and works effectively in partnership to the benefit of residents in North Northamptonshire
• Influence a range of policy makers, public bodies, partners and suppliers to ensure the council is well positioned to meet existing objectives and new challenges

Financial responsibilities 

• Challenge and sign off financial strategies, plans and budgets that support the effective delivery of strategic priorities
• Monitor the overarching directorate budgets in accordance with the council’s budget monitoring framework and governance

To undertake any other duties commensurate with the role. 

Political restriction and other requirements

• This position is politically restricted 

Person Specification 

Qualifications

• Degree-level education or proven equivalent level of technical and organisational knowledge with relevant experience at a senior leadership level
• Evidence of continuing professional development and leadership skill development

Background and experience

• Seasoned professional with proven experience of successfully leading both transformation and strategy development at a senior level
• Experience of leading diverse teams and within a complex organisation able to bring activities together to achieve an aligned objective
• Experience of working across professional and organisational boundaries with key stakeholders including other public bodies
• Strong track record of delivering transformation and driving performance improvement in functions and organisations
• Demonstrable financial management experience including rigorous monitoring and control and evaluating competing budgetary priorities to deliver efficiencies
• Proven experience of providing strategic advice to members and senior leaders
• Experience in developing and sustaining effective team, partnership and multi-agency working through strong effective advocacy, influencing and negotiating skills
• Experience of successfully managing and motivating employees and enabling them to deliver to their full potential.
• Leading and contributing to strategic decision making, resource allocation and to policy formulation and delivery, to adopt a problem-solving culture
• Providing creative solutions to complex problems together with high level analytical, presentational and communication skills, to improve the use of resources and achieve value for money across an organisation
• Proven business acumen and an entrepreneurial mindset to lead the strategic delivery of services and maintain a focus on obtaining best value for money at all times balanced, against the difficult and sensitive challenges faced
• Evidence and understanding of how data and digital technologies can be utilised to drive change
• Proven track record of strategically aligning financial resources with people resources and other assets to achieve desired strategic outcomes 

Skills and knowledge  

• Skilled and knowledgeable about leading successful change programmes which have achieved tangible benefits and able to demonstrate excellent programme and project management skills
• Knowledge of change tools and techniques and their appropriate use. In particular, demand management, how customer behavioural change can be influenced and operating model design
• Ability to understand and respond to different perspectives and taking a cross-organisational approach, gained by working in a political or similarly challenging environment
• Ability to encourage and engender collaborative working and build positive relationships with external agencies, partners and internal and external stakeholders
• Knowledge and understanding of local government and its practices and statutory requirements
• Demonstrable leadership skills, specifically the ability to ‘take people’ with you and promote organisational vision and values
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to engage a range of audiences and positively represent the council
• Ability to see the big picture, interpret it and develop relevant strategies, plans and deliverables
• Political awareness and the ability to work successfully within a political environment through effective working relationships with elected members
• Ability to challenge others constructively and to make informed decisions that if challenged can be substantiated
• Ability to learn from experience and to share that learning through future actions to improve service delivery and performance
• Strong management skills, with ability to lead and influence others, make informed decisions and build and maintain successful relationships and networks

Personal qualities

To be tested at the interview stages.

• Passionate about putting residents at the heart of service delivery
• Positive role model for behaviours, culture and able to demonstrate a values led approach
• Collaborative and strategic leader - able to motivate and work across boundaries and achieve performance and results through others
• Sound judgement in devising and evaluating options and dealing with complex issues
• Demonstrable evidence of policy judgement, political awareness and astuteness
• Robust and resilient, with drive and self-motivation
• Flexible and able to meet competing demands and challenging circumstances
• Ability to work under pressure and work at pace to achieve priorities
• Personality and credibility that engages and commands the confidence of all stakeholders
• Innovative and forward looking
• Commercially and financially astute as well as customer-focused
• Ethical, accountable behaviour including a personal commitment to equality, diversity and inclusivity