Team Manager - Strategy, Policy, & Performance - EAL13254

Vacancy Information

Hourly rate of pay £30.02-£33.79

Days and Hours of Work
Monday-Friday 09:00-17:00
Flexi time is applicable
To start 5th January 2027

Help shape East Lothian's priorities and improve outcomes for our communities

We are looking for an experienced leader to manage our Policy & Performance Team and help shape how East Lothian Council plans, develops policy and improves performance.

This is a corporate role at the heart of the Council. You will lead work across strategic planning, policy, community planning, equalities and performance, connecting these areas so that evidence, insight and engagement inform priorities and better decisions.

You will lead the operational development and coordination of the Council's strategic planning framework, including the Council Plan, Service Plans and Local Outcomes Improvement Plan (LOIP), working across services and with partners to translate priorities into clear plans and outcomes. You will also provide analysis and horizon scanning to help the Council anticipate emerging policy, legislative and socio-economic change.

What you'll be doing
You will:
- lead the development and coordination of corporate policy and strategic planning
- lead the Council's contribution to the East Lothian Community Planning Partnership and oversee delivery and performance reporting of the LOIP
- lead our corporate approach to equalities, including statutory equality outcomes, Integrated Impact Assessments and plans such as Gaelic and British Sign Language
- lead corporate performance frameworks, reporting and benchmarking, using evidence and insight to support improvement
- provide advice and briefings to senior leaders and Elected Members on policy, performance and legislative developments
- build effective relationships across services and with public and third sector partners
- lead and develop the Policy & Performance Team, setting priorities and managing a varied programme of work
- contribute to cross-cutting corporate improvement and change programmes.

About you
You will have significant experience in policy development, performance management and/or community planning, with experience of working strategically in a complex organisation.

You will be comfortable working across organisational boundaries, interpreting complex evidence and legislation, managing competing priorities and turning analysis into practical recommendations. You will be an effective leader and communicator who can build relationships, influence at senior level and bring people together around shared outcomes.

You will bring experience across policy, performance, equalities and partnership working. Experience of local government or organisational change and improvement would be valuable, but we welcome relevant experience from other complex organisations.

Why this role?
This is an opportunity to influence how the Council sets priorities, works with partners and communities, measures progress and improves outcomes for East Lothian.

Home/Hybrid Working Consideration
Applications for home or hybrid working will be considered for this post in accordance with East Lothian Council’s Home Working and Worksmart Policies which can be found here. Home or Hybrid working options can be discussed with candidates invited for interview

Please Note
All home/hybrid workers must live in the UK. Where an application for home-working is supported, it will be subject to a satisfactory trial period. Employees will be expected to attend Council offices for the duration of induction, and be on site in East Lothian workplaces, as required. Employees with a hybrid working arrangement in place will be office based and able to work from home, with permission, on an ad hoc basis

Job Details

To lead and manage the Council’s Policy and Performance Team, providing strategic direction and operational leadership across policy, community planning, equalities, and corporate performance, ensuring effective policy development, statutory compliance, and continuous improvement in outcomes for East Lothian.

Please download the Job Outline/Person Specification (available under 'Job Attachments') for the full range of tasks and duties associated with this job. You will need to refer to these in order to complete the application form. You must ensure you meet every 'essential' criteria stated on the Person Specification to be considered for interview.

The ‘East Lothian Way’– values and behaviours we expect our employees to demonstrate in their everyday work. Should you be invited to interview, you may be asked questions based on these behaviours. Please refer to the document via the link to familiarise yourself with them.

Job Requirements

Relevant Qualifications
Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g., Public Policy, Social Sciences, Management).

Evidence of continuous professional development.

Level 1 Disclosure Clearance
This role requires Level 1 Disclosure Clearance to allow access to the Public Sector Network. ELC will submit a Police Act Disclosure application on behalf of the preferred candidate and receipt of the subsequent certificate will be required prior to commencement.

Please note:
If you have spent more than 3 months working or living out with the UK in the last 5 years then you will also be required to present a copy of an overseas criminal record check. Details of how to apply and contact details can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Additional Information

For additional East Lothian Council employment information please click on the following link:
www.eastlothian.gov.uk/nonteachinginfo

If you have any difficulties creating an account on MyJobScotland or applying for this post please contact the MyJobScotland support team via this link https://myjobscotland.gov.uk/contact-us.

If you require further information about this vacancy, please call 01620 827868, or email us on recruitment@eastlothian.gov.uk

Please note: We do not accept CV's (either electronically or by mail). All our vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the on-line application form. Although there is an ‘import data from my CV’ function on MyJobScotland, this only imports very limited data and should not be relied upon to complete the application form. If, for example, due to a disability, you are unable to complete the on-line application form you can contact us for a paper application via the telephone number or email address above.