Assistant Director of Strategy and Public Affairs

Oldham Council; Oldham; On-site; GBP 83,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Oldham is seeking an Assistant Director of Strategy and Public Affairs. The role involves providing strategic leadership, overseeing long-term plans, and leading public affairs to ensure Oldham's voice is heard. Applicants should have significant experience in strategy and communication, alongside a strong understanding of local governance. The position offers a salary of £83,210 - £92,939 per annum with a commitment to inclusive recruitment.

Benefits

25 days annual leave, increasing with service

LGPS pension scheme

Discounted gym membership

Wellbeing support services

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading strategy, policy, communications or public affairs functions at a senior level.
• Exceptional communication skills able to simplify complexity, tell compelling stories and influence decision-makers.
• A deep understanding of local government, devolution and the policy environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership connecting vision with delivery.
• Oversee the development of the Oldham Plan and Corporate Plan.
• Lead communications and public affairs activity to strengthen brand and reputation.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic Planning

Public Affairs

Political Awareness

Job description

Resources

Strategy and Policy

Assistant Director of Strategy and Public Affairs

Ref : 001159

Contract : Permanent

Salary : £83,210 - £92,939 per annum

Hours : 36.66 per week

Based : Spindles

Closing Date : Thursday 27th November 2025

Interview Dates : Tuesday 2nd December & Wednesday 3rd December 2025

Shape the story. Influence the future. Lead Oldham’s voice.

Oldham is a place with huge ambition for our people, our place and our Council. We’re proud of our progress, proud of our partnerships and proud of our values. We’re building a confident, modern and inclusive Council that’s ready for the future and we’re looking for an exceptional strategic leader to help us get there.

As our Assistant Director of Strategy & Public Affairs, you’ll ensure Oldham has a clear, consistent and confident voice locally, regionally and nationally. You’ll provide the strategic leadership that connects our vision with delivery turning priorities into outcomes and ambition into influence.

About the role

Reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive, you’ll lead a broad and talented portfolio spanning strategy, policy, communications, and public affairs. Your work will shape the Council’s long-term direction, strengthen our relationships across Greater Manchester and beyond, and ensure our story Oldham’s story is heard loud and clear.

You’ll oversee the development and delivery of the Oldham Plan and Corporate Plan, ensuring a strong golden thread from strategy through to outcomes. You’ll guide how we use insight, evidence and engagement to shape policy and influence reform. And you’ll lead our communications and public affairs activity from building our reputation and brand to ensuring honest, impactful conversations with residents and stakeholders.

About you

We’re looking for a dynamic, politically astute and values-driven leader with a track record of delivering impact in complex systems. You’ll bring :

• Significant experience leading strategy, policy, communications or public affairs functions at a senior level.
• The confidence to represent Oldham’s interests at senior forums, across Greater Manchester, Government and national networks.
• Exceptional communication skills able to simplify complexity, tell compelling stories and influence decision-makers.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills, able to inspire multi-disciplinary teams and build collaborative partnerships.
• A deep understanding of local government, devolution and the policy environment shaping local public services.
• You’ll be as comfortable briefing Ministers as you are engaging residents. You’ll understand how to align strategic intent with delivery, how to use data and insight to shape priorities, and how to build relationships that turn shared ambition into shared action.

Why Oldham?

Oldham is part of a vibrant city region, leading innovation and reform through collaboration. We’re proud to be a co-operative borough one that works with people and partners, not just for them.

We’re also an organisation that invests in leadership, values creativity and flexibility, and encourages people to make their mark. You’ll join a forward-looking senior team committed to delivering better outcomes for residents and to building a Council that’s confident, inclusive and bold about its future.

If you’d like an informal chat about the role, please contact Mike Barker [e-mail]

Please ensure that your application includes an up-to-date CV and cover letter that articulate your fit against the person specification.

Please note that the next stage of the process will take place on Tuesday 02 December. This will involve two online teams sessions, one with the direct reports for the role and one with a broader stakeholder panel. The final interviews will take place in Oldham on Wednesday, 03 December.

We will let shortlisted candidates know by close of play on Friday 28 December

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

About Us

We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities. We’ve identified three missions with our residents and partners, focusing on what will deliver the biggest impact :

A Great Place to Live, Healthier, Happier Lives, and Green and Growing.

We’re looking for candidates who will support us to achieve our ambitions and we encourage you to download our Corporate Plan : Ready for the Future and our Oldham Plan for further information .

Our Values and Behaviours

By driving innovation, investing in our people, and championing our communities, we will ensure that Oldham continues to be a place where everyone can live their best life. To support this, we have three core values which define who we are and how we operate. These are ‘ Proud, Ambitious, and Together’ , and they shape our culture, inform our decisions, and inspire us to deliver on our commitments to the people of Oldham.

We have translated these values into five behaviours which guide our actions and are the standards we hold ourselves to, day in and day out :

• Work with a resident focus
• Support local leaders
• Committed to the borough
• Delivery high performance
• Take ownership and drive change

You can find out more about our values and behaviours on our greater.jobs Oldham page

Our Benefits Package

At Oldham Council we offer a great benefits package for our employees, which includes the following :

• 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10-years’ service
• The option to purchase additional annual leave.
• An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.
• Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active .
• Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.
• Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.
• Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.
• Staff recognition and celebration events.
• Peer support groups

Inclusive Recruitment

We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, describing available working patterns, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace.

If you’re an applicant with disabilities and have previously been in or currently in care, a carer or someone who has served in the Armed Forces and you meet the essential criteria of the role, you are guaranteed to reach the first stage of assessment under our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme .

Data and Privacy

For details of how we use your data please see our p rivacy notice .

Important Information

Please note that should a vacancy that has been released for internal or external recruitment be deemed suitable for a current employee at risk of redundancy, it can be pulled back at any point, up to the post being formally offered to a candidate who is not at risk of redundancy.

While we embrace the use of AI as an innovative tool to maximise our services at Oldham Council, we are looking for authenticity in applications we receive. We therefore ask you to think carefully if choosing to use AI when completing your application and ask that you ensure you read all instructions carefully and that your application is written by you and reflects your skills, knowledge and enthusiasm.