Head of Communities - Interims

Job Switch Ltd; Swindon; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A public health organization in Swindon is looking for a leader to provide strategic oversight of integrated community services. The role involves managing service delivery, influencing stakeholders, and developing community partnerships to improve health and tackle inequalities. Ideal candidates should have senior management experience and expertise in negotiating partnerships and managing complex services. This position offers an opportunity to lead impactful health initiatives within the community.

Qualifications

• Substantial knowledge and experience in developing partnerships.
• Focus on delivering outcomes in senior management.
• Ability to manage services and influence strategic direction.
• Experience in complex political environments.

Responsibilities

• Set medium to long-term priorities for services.
• Lead Service Managers to align business plans with corporate plans.
• Oversee integrated community services to improve outcomes.
• Collaborate to optimize local assets and develop hubs.
• Influence senior-level stakeholders and partners.

Skills

Developing synergies and partnerships

Senior management experience

Managing services

Working effectively with Members and communities

Inspiring change through advocacy

Negotiating partnerships

Seeking external funding

Managing complex budgets

Job description

Working at system level to advise and influence partners, commissioners, and senior leaders to shape the strategic direction of the prevention and early intervention agenda. Leading a team of Service Leads in the design and delivery of borough-wide services aimed at building community capacity, improving health and wellbeing, and tackling inequality; thereby reducing/delaying demand and cost to public services.

Strategic oversight of a number of integrated community-based services, which include multi-disciplinary and integrated neighbourhood teams, funded by a range of internal and external sources.

Teams include but are not restricted to:

• Community Safety and Community Safety Partnership
• Live Well Service
• Libraries and Information Service

This role will be integral to galvanising and leading a universal contact model and neighbourhood-based offer which supports people who have the greatest need; providing the right support, in the right place, and at the right time.

This role will work directly with other Heads of Service to ensure the strategy and delivery maximise opportunities for collaboration and learning, providing Swindon residents with a joined-up prevention and early intervention service as well as a quality universal offer.

Key responsibilities include:

• Setting medium to long-term priorities for the services, considering wider system pressures, statutory responsibilities, and resourcing; horizon scanning and ensuring programmes are effective, sustainable, and meet demand.
• Leading Service Managers to ensure service-level business plans align with corporate plans, translating missions and pledges into tangible actions.
• Leading service development, design, and delivery, ensuring programmes and resources address root causes of demand and health inequalities, especially in high-demand areas.
• Overseeing the management of integrated community services as part of a future integrated model of prevention and engagement, building agile and responsive services focused on improving outcomes.
• Collaborating with internal and external colleagues to optimize local assets, developing an integrated community hub model centered on prevention and early intervention.
• Influencing senior-level stakeholders across the Swindon system, including the CEO, Directors, and Heads of Service, and partnering with health, police, fire, voluntary, parishes, businesses, community, and faith sectors.
• Providing expert advice on prevention, health improvement, health promotion, volunteering, community development, and engagement to stakeholders, Members, and senior leaders.

Knowledge & Experience

Candidates must demonstrate substantial knowledge and experience in:

• Developing synergies and partnerships within the Council and with external partners
• Senior management experience with a focus on delivering outcomes
• Managing services and influencing strategic direction
• Working effectively with Members, MPs, Parishes, and communities within a complex political environment
• Inspiring change through advocacy and storytelling
• Negotiating and maintaining senior-level partnerships
• Seeking external funding and creating new opportunities
• Managing complex budgets and multi-faceted teams