Head of Strategy, Governance & Performance

LONDON BOROUGH OF HACKNEY; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in London seeks a Head of Service to lead a new Governance, Strategy & Performance Service within their Children & Education Directorate. The ideal candidate will have a strong strategic planning background and experience in local government frameworks. Responsibilities include implementing high-quality business support services and aligning actions to corporate plans. A Masters/Degree level qualification is essential, alongside leadership skills and a commitment to promoting inclusivity.

Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of local government performance & reporting frameworks.
• Experience in leading operational delivery of business support functions.
• Experience in strategic governance and quality assurance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement transformative business support services.
• Lead performance, strategy, and governance frameworks.
• Contribute to wider strategic thinking within the council.

Skills

Strategic planning

Performance analysis

Governance knowledge

Data analysis

Leadership

Education

Masters/Degree level qualification

Job description

The Role:

Hackney’s Children & Education services are working to create a new Commissioning, Business Insight and Operations (CBOI) Service which sits alongside Education & Inclusion and Children & Families services in our Children & Education Group Directorate. As part of this new CBOI division, we have created a new Governance, Strategy & Performance Service to sit alongside our Integrated Commissioning Service. We’re now seeking a talented Head of Service to lead this essential new service area, as well as consolidate its functions in a new division.

This brand-new role will be responsible for developing and implementing transformative, high-quality business support services and robust performance, strategy and governance frameworks across the Directorate. The postholder will lead effective operational delivery of business support functions, lead performance and data analysis, support digital system development, lead on strategic governance, champion quality assurance and manage complaints effectively.

If you see yourself as a strategic planner, someone who values working from a solid evidence base, is highly organised and puts children and young people themselves at the heart of service design then we’d like to hear from you. Our successful candidate will also have strong working knowledge of local government performance & reporting frameworks, complaints and feedback systems, governance, and strategy and service improvement – across both children’s education and social care services.

This new post will also contribute to the wider strategic thinking within the council, aligning the actions within children’s services to the wider corporate plans and community developments. We are seeking a passionate and transformative leader, who can invest energy and enthusiasm into this new service to start if off on the exciting and influential footing that we hope it to continue along.

We will only consider applications from those with Masters/Degree level, business management qualification or significant experience of working as a member of a senior leadership/management team.

An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role.

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.

About Us:

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

Application Details:

This application process replaces a supporting statement. We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

Closing date for applications: 07 October 2025 (22:59).

Interview and assessment date: 17 October 2025.