Head of Communities - Interims

Job Switch; Swindon; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A public service organisation in Swindon is looking for a strategic leader to oversee various community services aimed at enhancing public health and reducing inequalities. The ideal candidate will have extensive management experience, skills in influencing and problem-solving, and the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders. This role involves setting service priorities, managing teams, and collaborating with local partners to ensure effective service delivery.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in developing synergies and partnerships within the Council and externally.
• Extensive management experience delivering outcomes at a senior level.
• Strong management skills to drive services and influence strategic direction.
• Excellent influencing and problem-solving skills, with a willingness to take managed risks.
• Proven experience working with community stakeholders within a complex political environment.

Responsibilities

• Set medium to long-term priorities for services considering system pressures.
• Lead Service Managers to align service plans with corporate objectives.
• Influence senior stakeholders across the Swindon system.
• Provide expert advice on prevention and health promotion to stakeholders.

Skills

Influencing

Problem-solving

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Job description

Working at the 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 designing and delivering borough-wide services aimed at building community capacity, improving health and wellbeing, and tackling inequality; thereby reducing or delaying demand and costs to public services.

Strategic oversight of various integrated community-based services, including multi-disciplinary and neighbourhood teams funded by internal and external sources.

Teams Include But 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 supporting those with the greatest need; providing the right support, in the right place, and at the right time.

The role involves working directly with other Heads of Service to ensure strategy and delivery foster collaboration and learning, providing Swindon residents with a joined-up prevention and early intervention service alongside a quality universal offer.

• Set medium to long-term priorities for services, considering system pressures, statutory responsibilities, and resources; horizon scanning to ensure programmes are effective, sustainable, and meet demand.
• Lead Service Managers to align service level business plans with corporate plans, translating missions into tangible actions.
• Lead service development, design, and delivery, focusing on addressing root causes of demand and health inequalities, especially in high-demand areas.
• Oversee the management of integrated community services as part of a future prevention and engagement model, building agile and responsive services to improve outcomes.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to optimise local assets, developing an integrated community hub model prioritising prevention and early intervention.
• Influence senior stakeholders across the Swindon system, including the CEO, Directors, and Heads of Service, partnering with health, police, fire, voluntary, faith, and community sectors.
• Provide expert advice on prevention, health promotion, volunteering, community development, and engagement to stakeholders, Members, and senior leaders.

Knowledge & Experience Required

• Significant experience in developing synergies and partnerships within the Council and externally.
• Extensive management experience delivering outcomes at a senior level.
• Strong management skills to drive services and influence strategic direction.
• Excellent influencing and problem-solving skills, with a willingness to take managed risks.
• Proven experience working with Members, MPs, Parishes, communities, and stakeholders within a complex political environment.
• Ability to inspire change through advocacy and compelling storytelling.
• Strong negotiation skills to develop and maintain senior-level partnerships.
• Experience in securing external funding and creating new opportunities.
• Proven ability to manage complex budgets and multi-faceted teams.