We’re making a difference, be part of it!

South Gloucestershire Council is a dynamic and ambitious authority, committed to innovation and transformation. We pride ourselves on being a supportive and inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive. Our new Council Plan is dedicated to creating a fairer and greener future, grounded in extensive and direct community engagement. With an ambitious administration, we are looking for a visionary leader to drive this forward and help us seize all the opportunities available to us.

Director of Strategy, Engagement, and Change | Salary up to £102,664

This is a new leadership role within our organisation where you will hold a cross-council mandate for Customer Experience, Community Engagement, Tackling Inequalities, Cultural Change, and Data Transformation. You will be the council’s key strategy advisor, responsible for the council plan and delivering our ambitions to reduce inequalities and engage communities effectively. Your role will be to put resident views and needs at the heart of everything the council does.

The Director of Strategy, Engagement, and Change will lead the council’s efforts in community conversations, ensuring that resident views are integral to council decisions. You will focus on customer experience, bringing the frontline customer into the heart of the organisation and improving the customer journey in every interaction.

Leading the transformation and efficiency team, you will look at short to medium-term innovation as well as a strategic view on our future. You will oversee our data and digital transformation efforts, developing sophisticated and modern business intelligence units whilst also leading an innovative communications service that effectively informs and engages staff and residents and supports council decision-making.

About You

We are looking for a strategic thinker with significant senior managerial experience in a similar and complex organisation. You will have a deep understanding of our broad council objectives and a proven track record of driving organisational change in an inclusive way. We are looking for someone with excellent leadership and people management skills and the ability to inspire and motivate teams both within and outside your direct service remit.

You will have a strong understanding of Local Government’s social and political role and a commitment to public service. We are looking for someone who has a collaborative approach to leadership and be able to demonstrate your ability to build long-term strategic partnerships and relationships to create joined-up solutions for residents and communities.

Why Join Us?

South Gloucestershire is a great place to live and work. Located north and east of Bristol, our towns are expanding in both population and industry. With easy access to Bristol, Bath, and Cardiff, as well as the Cotswolds, there is a broad appeal to potential applicants. We benefit from high employment, longer than average life expectancy, and many Good and Outstanding schools.

We are an organisation that values collaboration and inclusivity, with a real commitment to sustainable and meaningful growth. Our Chief Officers are genuinely caring about the services and outcomes they deliver to residents, and there is always an ambition to do more, even when services are already seen as being good.

For a confidential discussion about your suitability, please contact Frazer Thouard (07384 810 743) or Sandra Jones (07826 404 091) from our recruitment partners, GatenbySanderson.

Closing date: Sunday 6th October