Head of Community and Compliance

Bath & North East Somerset Council; Clays End; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Bath & North East Somerset Council seeks a senior leader to become Head of Community & Compliance, a pivotal post at the heart of our Place Management and Sustainable Communities agenda. You will steer a diverse portfolio, including public protection, emergency management, city centre security, major events, parks, bereavement services and city centre management, leading around 150 staff.

Reporting to the Head of Service, you will deliver strategic direction, corporate assurance, risk management

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading complex, multidisciplinary services
• Experience in politically sensitive environments
• Strong risk, safety and compliance management
• Education at degree level or equivalent senior experience

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction across statutory and non-statutory services
• Lead on risk, safety and compliance including emergency planning
• Build relationships with Members, partners and stakeholders

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Public sector governance

Education

Degree or equivalent senior-level experience

Job description

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives.

Bath & North East Somerset Council is seeking an outstanding senior leader to take on the role of Head of Community & Compliance - a pivotal and influential post at the heart of our Place Management and Sustainable Communities agenda.

This is a rare opportunity to lead an exceptionally diverse and high-impact portfolio of services that shape how our places feel, function and are experienced by residents, businesses and visitors every day.

About the role:

Reporting at Head of Service level, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across a wide-ranging portfolio including:

• Public Protection and regulatory services
• Emergency Management, business continuity and CCTV
• City Centre Security and preparedness (including Protect & Prepare and Martyn’s Law)
• Major events, markets and filming
• Parks, green spaces and open spaces
• Bereavement Services, including cemeteries and crematoria
• City Centre Management

You will lead around 150 staff, oversee a multi‑million‑pound revenue and capital portfolio, and work closely with Members, Executive Leadership Team, Directors, senior officers, partners and communities to deliver services that are safe, compliant, compassionate and politically informed.

This is a role for someone who can confidently operate at pace and under scrutiny, balance risk with opportunity, and provide calm, credible leadership in complex and often sensitive situations.

What you’ll be responsible for:

• Setting clear strategic direction across multiple statutory and non‑statutory services
• Providing strong corporate coordination and assurance across complex, overlapping workstreams
• Leading on risk management, safety, compliance and preparedness, including emergency planning and major incident response
• Driving continuous improvement, performance and good governance
• Building trusted relationships with Elected Members, partners, regulators and stakeholders
• Acting as a senior ambassador for the Council in high‑profile, high‑visibility forums
• Leading and developing senior managers and teams, fostering an inclusive, resilient and high‑performing culture
• Ensuring services are customer‑focused, compassionate and accessible, particularly where people are vulnerable or distressed

About you:

We’re looking for a senior leader who brings:

• Significant experience leading complex, multidisciplinary services within local government or the wider public sector
• Strong judgement and credibility when working in politically sensitive and high‑profile environments
• A proven ability to manage risk, safety and compliance across varied operational contexts
• Experience of strategic commissioning, contract management and financial oversight
• Confidence engaging with Members, communities, partners and external agencies
• A leadership style that is calm, inclusive, decisive and values‑led

You’ll be educated to degree level (or equivalent senior‑level experience) and able to demonstrate the professional credibility needed to operate at this level.

*Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants.

About Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Working at Bath and North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

Why Bath and North East Somerset Council?

We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. Go to https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-benefits

At Bath and North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve peoples lives. Find out more about our values at https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-values

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/equality-and-diversity

We are a Disability Confident Employer – find out more at https://shorturl.at/ajrsW

The Council is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.