Director's Office Specialist Advisor

Birmingham City Council; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS

Generous annual leave

Wellbeing benefits

Job summary

Birmingham City Council invites applications for a Director's Office Specialist Advisor to work with the Director of Commercial and Procurement, translating strategic priorities into action and coordinating major programmes.

The role offers a central position in decision-making, with responsibility for governance, reporting, and executive communications, delivering high-quality outcomes across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior advisory or executive support role within a complex organisation.
• Experience working with senior executives to translate priorities into deliverable plans.
• Outstanding stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written communication, reports, briefings and executive correspondence.
• Strong organisational and analytical skills with ability to manage competing priorities.
• Degree or relevant professional qualification in related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Translate strategic priorities into business plans, delivery programmes and measurable objectives.
• Coordinate day-to-day operation of the Director's Office, governance and business planning.
• Review reports, Cabinet papers, briefings and presentations for executive decision-making.
• Support budget management, resources and organisational priorities.
• Lead or coordinate corporate initiatives and transformation programmes.
• Act as trusted adviser and representative for the Director.
• Produce high-quality communications for diverse audiences.

Skills

Strategic advisory

Stakeholder management

Executive support

Budget oversight

Governance & reporting

Education

Degree in Business Administration/Public Policy/Procurement/Law

Job description

Are you a highly organised strategic adviser with experience supporting senior leaders in complex organisations? Birmingham City Council is looking for a Director's Office Specialist Advisor to work alongside the Director of Commercial and Procurement, providing trusted advice, driving strategic priorities and ensuring the effective operation of one of the Council's most important services. This is a unique opportunity to work at the centre of decision-making, translating strategic vision into action and helping to shape the future of Commercial and Procurement Services. You'll play a pivotal role in coordinating major programmes, supporting executive decision-making and ensuring the Director's priorities are delivered successfully across the organisation.

As the Director's Office Specialist Advisor, you'll provide strategic and operational support by:

• Working closely with the Director to translate strategic priorities into clear business plans, delivery programmes and measurable objectives.
• Coordinating the day-to-day operation of the Director's Office, ensuring strategic priorities, governance and business planning activities are effectively managed.
• Reviewing reports, Cabinet papers, briefings and presentations, ensuring they are high quality, strategically aligned and ready for executive decision-making.
• Supporting the management of budgets, resources and organisational priorities, helping ensure investment is aligned with the Council's commercial objectives.
• Leading or coordinating high-profile corporate initiatives and transformation programmes on behalf of the Director, monitoring delivery and resolving issues where required.
• Acting as a trusted adviser and representative for the Director, building strong relationships across the Council, partner organisations and senior leadership teams.
• Producing high-quality communications for a wide range of audiences, including elected members, senior leaders, partners and employees.
• Providing strategic oversight of the Director's priorities, ensuring time, resources and organisational focus remain aligned to the most important business objectives.
  We're looking for an experienced strategic adviser who combines exceptional organisational skills with sound judgement, political awareness and the ability to influence at senior levels. You'll bring:
• Significant experience in a senior advisory, business management, programme management or executive support role within a complex organisation.
• Experience working closely with senior executives, translating strategic priorities into deliverable plans and organisational outcomes.
• Outstanding stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with the ability to quickly establish credibility and influence across a wide range of audiences.
• Excellent written communication skills, producing high-quality reports, briefings, presentations and executive correspondence.
• Strong organisational and analytical skills, balancing competing priorities while maintaining focus on strategic outcomes.
• The ability to exercise sound judgement, discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive or confidential information.
• A high level of resilience, adaptability and political awareness, thriving in a fast-paced environment where priorities can change quickly.
• A degree or relevant professional qualification (or equivalent professional experience) in a related discipline such as Business Administration, Public Policy, Procurement, Law or a similar field.
• At Birmingham City Council, you'll work at the heart of one of the UK's largest Commercial and Procurement Services, helping shape strategic decisions that impact services across the city. In return, we offer:
• A unique opportunity to work directly with the Director of Commercial and Procurement on high-profile strategic priorities and transformation programmes.
• A varied and influential role where you'll help drive organisational performance and support executive decision-making.
• Opportunities to develop your strategic leadership, programme management and organisational development expertise.
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities where service needs allow.
• A competitive Local Government Pension Scheme and generous annual leave entitlement.
• Access to a wide range of employee wellbeing initiatives and staff benefits.
• A rewarding career where your expertise will help shape the future of commercial and procurement, supporting better public services and delivering lasting benefits for the people of Birmingham.

We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the communities we serve. Our data tells us that for this level of role, ethnic minorities are underrepresented and therefore we will use positive action to support us to achieve diverse shortlists. This may mean that recruitment times are a little longer, but we think this is worth it to achieve our aim. Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people. We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.

Working for Birmingham City Council is more than just a job; it's about making life better for the 1 million plus people who live and work in the city.

We see the Council's role as providing strategic leadership - that's being able to visualise a new future for the city and equipping others to share our vision. We want to ensure the provision of services for all, so we can support those least able to support themselves by working with partners and putting citizens and neighbourhoods at the heart of our decision-making. We are always looking for people who put the customer at the centre of their approach, with a commitment to excellence to help us achieve our vision. We will support you to develop and thrive in your role, building a pathway for long-term success, with lots of development opportunities, such as apprenticeships.

In return, we offer you excellent terms and conditions, generous annual leave, a great pension scheme, well-being support, annual travel passes and discounts at a number of city centre establishments.