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Head of Business Support and Improvement

Lead transformation. Drive innovation. Shape the future.

Salary: £80,779 to £90,216

Location: County Hall. Morpeth

Contract: Permanent, Full Time

Are you a transformational leader who thrives on turning complexity into simplicity, driving innovation, and delivering meaningful organisational change?

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Business Support and Improvement for a newly created leadership role at the heart of our organisation. This is a rare opportunity to design and shape the future of business support services across the Council, creating a modern, efficient and digitally enabled service that underpins everything we do.

As part of our Business Operations Centre leadership team, you will lead a large-scale transformation agenda, ensuring our business support services are fit for the future, customer-focused and equipped to support ambitious organisational priorities.

Why this role matters

This is far more than a traditional business support leadership position.

You'll be responsible for creating and delivering the vision for a centralised business support function that serves the entire organisation. Working with senior leaders, you'll drive service excellence, operational efficiency, digital innovation and continuous improvement at scale.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Lead the delivery of business support services across all directorates.
• Shape the future operating model for business support.
• Drive automation, AI adoption and digital transformation.

• Eliminate duplication and improve organisational efficiency.
• Build a high-performing culture focused on customer experience and excellence.
• Influence strategic decision-making across the organisation.
• Develop future leaders and create lasting organisational impact.

About you

We're looking for an inspirational and forward-thinking leader with a proven track record of delivering transformation within large, complex organisations.

You will bring:

• Significant experience leading business support or operational services at a senior level.
• A strong track record of modernising services and delivering measurable improvement.
• Experience leading digital transformation, including automation, AI and technology-enabled change.
• The ability to build credibility and influence at executive and senior stakeholder level.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, using data and insight to drive decisions.
• Commercial and financial acumen, with experience managing significant resources and demonstrating value for money.
• A passion for innovation, continuous improvement and creating outstanding customer experiences.

The leader we're looking for

• Strategic – able to see the bigger picture and shape long-term direction.
• Visionary – capable of creating a compelling future and bringing others with you.
• Influential – building strong relationships and securing commitment to change.
• Analytical – using evidence and insight to drive improvement.

• An Improver – constantly seeking better ways of working.
• A Change Agent – inspiring confidence and momentum through transformation.

Join us

Northumberland is a land of great opportunities, and this is a rare chance to lead at scale, shaping how an entire organisation operates and delivers for its communities

If you're an ambitious and innovative leader who wants to leave a legacy of transformation, improvement and service excellence, we'd love to hear from you.

Our successful candidate will be expected to work in line with the Council’s WorkSmart principles, which guide how, when and where work is delivered based on organisational need.
This role will require regular attendance at County Hall, aligned to team activity, collaboration, and service delivery requirements.

Closing date for applications will be midnight on July 19th 2026

Interviews will be on Tuesday 18th August 2026

Why choose us?

We have some outstanding benefits and perks to offer you, including:

• 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees)
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme

To see all our excellent benefits and perks, please click here.

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Further information

For guidance on completing your application and for information about our Equality and Diversity principles, please see the attached guidance notes.