Head of Office for Public Service Innovation (OPSI)

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme 5.5%–t

Generous holiday 29 days rising to 34

Free All-Zone Metro travel card (£1,45

Flexible & hybrid working

Employee Assistance Programme

Westfield Health Programme

Bike to Work Scheme

Coaching, mentoring & funded learning

Job summary

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Office for Public Service Innovation (OPSI) seeks a senior leader to drive transformation across public services. You will build strong cross-sector relationships, manage change and prioritise competing demands to maximise impact in a fast-moving setting.

You will lead a team across public, private and voluntary sectors, developing delivery models, pooling budgets and supporting a shift to prevention and early intervention in line with government

Qualifications

• Significant, direct experience of successfully developing and delivering a new programme in a complex environment.
• Experience overseeing the operation of multi-disciplinary teams.
• Evidence of creative, innovative thinking, translating ideas into new delivery models.

Job description

To help make Liverpool City region the best place to grow up, grow a family, and grow a business – where no-one is left behind

Head of Office for Public Service Innovation (OPSI)

• Employer: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
• Contract: Permanent
• Working Pattern: Full Time
• Hours: 35 hours per week.
• DBS Check: No
• Closing Date: 18/11/2026 at 23:59
• Reference: LCRCA/26/343087

This position is being re-advertised. Applicants who applied during the previous recruitment campaign need not reapply.

About the Role

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s new Office for Public Service Innovation (OPSI) is leading the way in testing new ways to transform public services, working closely with communities and using innovative approaches, data and AI to change how residents are supported. Taking a test, learn and grow approach and scaling what works, OPSI is joining up delivery, leading workforce development initiatives pooling budgets and working with Government support a shift to prevention and early intervention across public services, tackling multi-dimensional challenges earlier.

About the person

We are looking for a senior leader who can develop strong relationships across the city region and work with a wide range of stakeholders from the public, private and voluntary and community sectors. Comfortable with managing change, prioritising competing demands to maximise impact and working in a fast-moving area. The successful candidate will be a catalyst for change transforming outcomes for residents.

Please ensure that you provide clear examples and evidence in your application of how you meet the below key essential criteria. The information you provide in your application will be used for shortlisting.

1. Significant, direct experience of successfully developing and delivering a new programme in a complex environment.

2. Experience of overseeing the operation of multi-disciplinary teams.

3. Evidence of creative, innovative thinking, encouraging ideas from across teams, creatively working around new constraints and challenges and capable of translating ideas into new delivery models.

Please highlight how you meet the remaining essential criteria outlined in the person specification within your CV.

About the organisation

The Liverpool City Region is world-famous for its history, culture and creativity. A place of firsts, it is the birthplace of modern railways, public health and international trade. Now, our economy is being transformed once again, changing the world through world-leading innovation in health and life sciences, digital and creative, and advanced manufacturing - growing an economy already worth £35 billion a year.

The Combined Authority plays a central role in catalysing this innovation-led economy. We are seizing the unique opportunity to use our devolved powers and funding to create wealth and prosperity for all our 1.6 million residents and the whole UK - investing in our economy, people, place, transport and digital infrastructure. Our vision is for the Liverpool City Region to be: The best place to grow up, grow a family, and grow a business - where no-one is left behind.

• -Local Government Pension Scheme contributions between 5.5% and 12.5%
• -Generous holiday entitlement of 29 days rising to 34 days after 5 years service, as well as bank holidays and the option to buy 10 additional days
• -Free travel around Liverpool City Region with an All-Zone Metro card worth £1,450 per year plus All Zones Off Peak Trio ticket for your spouse or partner
• -Flexible and hybrid working
• -24/7 access to Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family and Free counselling service
• -Automatic enrolment to our Westfield Health Programme
• -Corporate discounts at council-owned gyms
• -Bike to Work Scheme
• -Coaching, mentoring, apprenticeships, and professional qualifications including paid membership fees and even a £1k interest free learning loan for any non-job-related learning

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who have declared that they: have a disability, are from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background, are a member of a reservist or have close family links to a member of the Armed Forces as we are under-represented by people from these communities.

To be considered under one of these schemes, you must indicate your eligibility in the relevant section of the application form. In addition, you must clearly demonstrate in your personal statement how you meet all the key essential criteria listed above, and highlight how you meet the remaining essential criteria outlined in the person specification within your CV.

Applications that do not include this evidence will not be considered under the guaranteed interview schemes.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

We actively promote diversity and inclusion. This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. We recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa