Group Director - Core Business

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council; Dudley; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Dudley Council seeks a visionary Group Director to lead core business functions. This strategic role involves overseeing financial management, governance, and driving transformation initiatives. The successful candidate will modernise essential services and ensure a high-performance culture across the council.

Qualifications

• Experience leading multi-functional teams at a senior level.
• Proven track record in driving organizational transformation.
• Strong understanding of financial and performance management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the core business functions and oversee the Council Improvement Programme.
• Drive modernisation and transformation using technology and data.
• Champion good governance and ethical leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Vision

Financial Management

Transformation

Governance

Job description

Group Director – Core Business

Transform how Dudley Council operates. Lead the core that powers our borough.

Dudley is an ambitious, evolving council on a major improvement journey.We are looking for a visionary, values-led executive to join us as Group Director – Core Business, a newly defined strategic role at the heart of our transformation.

This is your opportunity to lead and modernise the essential services that underpin Dudley’s success—from finance and workforce to legal governance, technology and business process led transformation, assurance and customer experience.You will help design and deliver a council that is fit for the future - streamlined, efficient, transparent and focused on people.

THE VACANCY

Group Director – Core Business

Hours: Full time

Contract: Permanent

Salary:Up to £155,000 per annum plus benefits

Location: Dudley

About the role

As a key member of the Corporate Management Team, you will hold corporate and statutory responsibilities across Dudley’s core business functions, including:

• Line management of s151 and Monitoring Officer

• Financial management and oversight

• Procurement, commissioning, revenues and benefits

• Transformation and innovation

• Technology, automation, data, insight and customer channel development

• Workforce, HR, OD and learning

• Legal, compliance, risk and audit

You will lead these major functions as one integrated group - connecting the dots across governance, technology, process, people and performance.You will oversee the Council Improvement Programme, ensuring strong governance, clear accountabilities, and effective performance management aligned to a new operating model.

Key responsibilities:

• Driving organisational transformation and a high-performance culture across all council services.

• Leading a major digital and business modernisation agenda - shifting towards automation, intelligence-led services, and value-for-money delivery.

• Championing good governance, ethical leadership and evidence-based decision-making across the council.

• Shaping and embedding a new financial strategy and operating model that ensures sustainability and innovation.

• Supporting Members, the Chief Executive and senior leaders with trusted, strategic advice on council-wide priorities.

• Building a joined-up corporate core that works across silos and supports service excellence.

• Leading with integrity and transparency, modelling the Nolan Principles of public life.

We are looking for a leader who can:

• Lead complex, multi-functional teams and systems at a senior level

• Drive modernisation and transformation using technology and data

• Ensure statutory compliance and high-quality governance

• Build inclusive, high-performing cultures across a large workforce

• Balance strategic vision with rigorous financial and performance discipline

• Inspire change through partnership, innovation and purpose

Why Dudley?

We are a vibrant and growing borough with a rich history and a bright future.This is more than a job - it’s your chance to lead lasting transformation, shape modern public services, and leave a legacy.

For an informal discussion about any of the roles please contact Balvinder Heran, Chief Executive via Jo Cook –[e-mail]

Indicative dates for recruitment process:

• Applications close: Thursday 19 June 2025

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to assessment centres and to attend final interviews. Please indicate any periods you are unavailable.

For more information about Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council and the vacancies have available please visit our dedicated microsite: www.dudleycounciljobs.org.uk

So that we can demonstrate Dudley’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and to improve bias in the recruitment process that could create barriers for candidates.Your personal data will be anonymised when you apply, to ensure that you comply with our anonymisation process, please ensure you have removed your name and date of birth from any attachments prior to uploading them to your application.

Online application forms will only be accepted for this vacancy, online facilities for jobs are available at public libraries within the Dudley Borough.

All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove their right to work in the UK.

Please note: Dudley MBC does not currently offer sponsorship for candidates without the Right to Work in the UK.

If you requiresupportcompleting an online or paper application form and or interview techniques, please contact Dudley Adult and Community Learning on 01384 818 143 or [e-mail] who cansupportwith Digital Skills and Job Applications.

If you have a disability and require assistance in making an application please contact the HR Resourcing Team via [e-mail]

If you are experiencing a problem whilst applying for a position, please follow the link below to the WM Jobs Help Page in the first instance https://help.wmjobs.co.uk/

If the WM Jobs Help Page does not resolve your issue then please contact the HR Resourcing Team via [e-mail]

Dudley Council will check the information that you have provided against any details already held for accuracy and completeness.The Council will check, share and cross match your information both internally within the council and with external organisations to protect public funds and prevent or detect crime, only where the law allows us to do so.

The Council’s full Privacy and Disclaimer Statement can be accessed on the website at https://www.dudley.gov.uk/privacy-disclaimer-statement/

N.B.We reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the advertised date should we receive a large number of applications

#LI-DMBC2019

Attached documents
Benefits list
JD/PS