Business Services Manager

East Midlands Councils/East Midlands Jobs; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Annual leave 27 days + 8 bank holidays

Hybrid & flexible working

Wellbeing services

Development opportunities

Job summary

Derbyshire County Council is seeking an experienced, values-driven Business Services Manager to lead and develop its business services function, translating priorities into high-quality, responsive support for services and residents.

You will oversee day-to-day delivery, drive efficiency, support workforce development, and ensure robust financial and regulatory compliance across teams in a hybrid working environment.

Qualifications

• Leads collaboratively, building trust and strong working relationships across teams and services.
• Is confident managing people, performance and change in a complex environment.
• Has experience delivering business services or support functions in a customer-focused organisation.
• Uses evidence and insight to make sound decisions, manage competing priorities and improve outcomes.
• Demonstrates political awareness, professionalism, and integrity.
• Is aligned to the Council’s values and committed to equity, inclusion, and continuous learning.
• You will bring resilience, empathy, and a practical mindset, enabling you to support colleagues while maintaining a clear focus on service quality and improvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible, inclusive, and supportive leadership to Business Services teams, ensuring colleagues feel valued, empowered, and clear about expectations.
• Manage and coordinate the day-to-day delivery of effective and efficient business services within your service area, ensuring work is prioritised and resources are used well.
• Work collaboratively with service managers and colleagues to understand local needs and deliver practical, proportionate business service solutions.
• Lead and embed continuous improvement, identifying opportunities to streamline processes and improve quality, consistency, and customer experience.
• Promote a culture of accountability and professional pride, setting clear standards and actively managing performance against service indicators.
• Support workforce planning and development by creating opportunities for learning, progression, and skills development within your teams.
• Make effective use of digital systems, automation, and technology to improve efficiency and resilience.
• Monitor and manage financial information within your area, supporting sound resource planning and value for money.
• Work closely with Senior Business Services Managers and corporate support functions to ensure joined-up, consistent support to services.
• Play an active role in preparing for inspections, audits and regulatory activity, ensuring robust processes and compliance are in place.
• You will contribute directly to delivering statutory and regulatory requirements, providing assurance through strong operational management.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Change management

Evidence-based decisions

Political awareness

Equity & inclusion

Resilience

Job description

Lead with purpose. Collaborate for impact. Shape how the Council works.

Derbyshire County Council is continuing to strengthen its One Council approach, bringing together Business Services into a single, professional, and collaborative function that supports services to deliver the best possible outcomes for residents.

We are seeking an experienced and values driven Business Services Manager who is passionate about public service, committed to continuous improvement, and motivated by supporting colleagues and services to succeed.

This role plays a vital part in translating organisational priorities into high quality, responsive business services that make a real difference across the Council.

What you’ll be doing

• Provide visible, inclusive, and supportive leadership to Business Services teams, ensuring colleagues feel valued, empowered, and clear about expectations
• Manage and coordinate the day‑to‑day delivery of effective and efficient business services within your service area, ensuring work is prioritised and resources are used well
• Work collaboratively with service managers and colleagues to understand local needs and deliver practical, proportionate business service solutions
• Lead and embed continuous improvement, identifying opportunities to streamline processes and improve quality, consistency, and customer experience
• Promote a culture of accountability and professional pride, setting clear standards and actively managing performance against service indicators
• Support workforce planning and development by creating opportunities for learning, progression, and skills development within your teams
• Make effective use of digital systems, automation, and technology to improve efficiency and resilience
• Monitor and manage financial information within your area, supporting sound resource planning and value for money
• Work closely with Senior Business Services Managers and corporate support functions to ensure joined‑up, consistent support to services
• Play an active role in preparing for inspections, audits and regulatory activity, ensuring robust processes and compliance are in place
• You will contribute directly to delivering statutory and regulatory requirements, providing assurance through strong operational management

What we’re looking for

This role is suited to a manager who:

• Leads collaboratively, building trust and strong working relationships across teams and services
• Is confident managing people, performance and change in a complex environment
• Has experience of delivering business services or support functions in a customer‑focused organisation
• Uses evidence and insight to make sound decisions, manage competing priorities and improve outcomes
• Demonstrates political awareness, professionalism, and integrity
• Is aligned to the Council’s values and committed to equity, inclusion, and continuous learning
• You will bring resilience, empathy, and a practical mindset, enabling you to support colleagues while maintaining a clear focus on service quality and improvement.

At Derbyshire County Council, we believe that great services are enabled by strong, values‑led business support.

In return for your commitment, we offer:

• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme
• 27 days increasing to 32 days after 5 years’ service annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
• Flexible and hybrid working, supporting work–life balance
• A supportive management culture that values collaboration and shared problem‑solving
• Opportunities for development, progression, and leadership growth
• Access to Derbyshire Rewards, occupational health, and wellbeing services

Provisional interview date:

Wk commencing 23