Head of Service - Strategy, Performance and Partnerships

Title: Head of Strategy, Performance and Partnerships

Grade/Salary: Hay 1, Spinal Points 807 - 902 (£76,911 - £87,590 per annum)

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37

Location: Sandwell Council House, Freeth Street, Oldbury, B69 3DE

We are seeking an outstanding Head of Service - Strategy, Performance and Partnerships to lead the Council's strategic planning, performance, insight and partnership functions. This is a pivotal role at the heart of the organisation, ensuring our priorities are translated into measurable outcomes and that evidence, research and intelligence drive decision-making across the Council.

You will lead and develop the teams responsible for corporate strategy, performance management, policy development, research and insight, consultation and engagement, and partnership working, while driving a culture of continuous improvement. You will ensure the Council has the intelligence, governance and accountability required to deliver its priorities and demonstrate impact to deliver better outcomes for Sandwell residents and communities.

This role also provides strategic leadership for the Council's relationship with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), helping to influence policy, maximise opportunities for investment and ensure that Sandwell's priorities are represented at a regional level. You will also work closely with the Sandwell Together Partnership and a wide range of public, private, voluntary, community, faith and academic partners to support collaborative approaches that improve outcomes for local people.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Council's strategic planning, performance, insight and partnership functions, ensuring our priorities are translated into measurable outcomes and that evidence drives decision-making across the organisation. Reporting to the Assistant Chief Executive, you will play a central role in shaping the Council's future direction.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the development and delivery of the Council Plan and corporate performance framework.
• Driving a culture of performance, accountability and continuous improvement across the organisation.
• Providing strategic advice, challenge and support to senior leaders, elected Members and partners.
• Leading corporate policy development, research, insight, consultation and engagement activity to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Developing and maintaining effective partnerships across local, regional and national organisations, including the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
• Ensuring the Council has the intelligence, governance and reporting arrangements needed to monitor performance and deliver strategic priorities.
• Leading and developing high-performing teams that support the Council's improvement and transformation ambitions.

About You

You will be an experienced and credible senior leader with a successful track record of leading strategy, performance, policy, improvement or partnership functions within a complex organisation. You will be politically aware, highly collaborative and comfortable operating across organisational boundaries to influence and deliver change.

You will have:

• Experience of developing and delivering strategic priorities that achieve measurable outcomes.
• Strong understanding of performance management, organisational improvement and evidence-based decision-making.
• Experience of influencing senior leaders, elected Members and partner organisations.
• A proven ability to build and sustain effective partnerships across sectors.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A passion for public service and improving outcomes for residents and communities.

Why Sandwell Council?

At Sandwell Council, our work has a real impact. We are proud to be a values-led organisation that supports its employees with excellent benefits, a competitive remuneration package, and a strong focus on development. By joining us, you’ll play a key role in delivering services that make a real and lasting difference to thousands of people across the borough.

To find out more, please visit our careers page: We Are Sandwell – We Are Sandwell

To Apply

Please submit a CV and supporting statement to Sukhy Lall (Sukhy_Lall@sandwell.gov.uk)

You can download the Candidate Pack for the role here

Click here to find out more about our One Team Framework: Values and Behaviours

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should a high number of applications be received. Applicants are therefore strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

If you are an internal candidate and currently at risk, please let the recruiting manager know.

We place equality, diversity and inclusion at the core of who we are and how we lead, where every voice matters. At Sandwell, we recognise and value the richness that comes from diverse lived experiences, perspectives, backgrounds and identities. This diversity makes us a stronger and more effective council.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a workplace where everyone feels they belong, are treated fairly, and have the opportunity to thrive. Creating an environment where colleagues feel respected, supported and able to contribute fully is central to our culture and the way we work. We are committed to ensuring that all applicants and employees have equitable access to opportunities. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process and within the workplace so that everyone has the support they need to perform at their best and succeed in their role.

If you have any questions relating to equality, diversity, and inclusion, you can contact the EDI Team at EDI_Team@sandwell.gov.uk.

If you wish to apply as Care Leaver or a Disability Confident candidate, please make sure to state this when submitting your CV.

If you have a disability and require assistance in submitting your CV, please contact Sukhy Lall (Sukhy_Lall@sandwell.gov.uk)