Policy, Improvement and Risk Manager

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council; Rotherham; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in Rotherham is seeking a dynamic leader to drive strategic direction and manage corporate improvement. The ideal candidate will have a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and significant experience in policy development. This role offers a chance to impact the community positively and work within a supportive and ambitious organization. Closing date for applications is 6th November 2025.

Benefits

Three additional days leave

Inclusive workplace commitment

Qualifications

• Significant experience of leading strategy and policy development, including the development of a Council/ Corporate Plan.
• Strong leadership and communication skills to inspire teams and influence stakeholders.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic direction by developing and monitoring the Council Plan.
• Lead corporate improvement and deliver meaningful change.
• Champion risk management and inspire a talented team.

Skills

Strategic mindset

Leadership

Communication skills

Policy development

Job description

Be at the Heart of Change – Shape the Future of a Rapidly Improving Council.

Are you ready to lead with purpose and make a real difference? Join a council that’s not just transforming – but thriving. Named most improved council in the country at the 2022 Local Government Chronicle awards, we’re proud of our journey and excited about what’s next.

Our Policy, Improvement and Risk Team sits at the core of the organisation. Through a recent corporate peer challenge, we’ve been recognised as “an impressive organisation… ambitious, with well‑established and robust foundations.” Now, we’re looking for a dynamic and strategic leader to help us build on this momentum.

This is a pivotal role where you’ll:

• Drive strategic direction by developing and monitoring the Council Plan and Year Ahead Delivery Plan.
• Lead corporate improvement, using data and intelligence to shape policy and deliver meaningful change.
• Manage and co‑ordinate corporate performance reporting, including working with services to put in place targeted action plans to address areas of improvement.
• Champion risk management, ensuring we remain resilient and forward‑thinking.
• Inspire and lead a talented team of professionals across policy, improvement, and risk.
• Influence at the highest levels, working closely with senior leaders, elected members, partners, and regional bodies.
• You’ll be at the forefront of a major programme of policy renewal, including key strategies such as our Inclusion Strategy – helping to shape a more inclusive borough.

What you’ll bring

• A strategic mindset with a passion for public service improvement.
• Strong leadership and communication skills to inspire teams and influence stakeholders.
• Significant experience of leading strategy and policy development, including the development of a Council/ Corporate Plan.
• The ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, evolving environment – balancing big‑picture thinking with attention to detail.

Why Join Us?

This is more than a job – it’s a chance to be part of something bigger. You’ll join a supportive, ambitious organisation where your ideas and leadership will help shape the future of our borough.

Ready to lead change and make a lasting impact? We’d love to hear from you.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Fiona Boden, Head of Policy, Performance and Intelligence, at [e-mail].

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview. For further information, please visit our website.

Until 31st March 2026 employees paid at Band D and above are subject to a temporary pay reduction of 1.15% spread out by means of a monthly deduction from each pay period over the full financial year. In recognition of implementing this temporary measure, those who experience a pay reduction will be awarded three additional days leave (pro rata for part‑time).

This post is classed as ‘politically restricted’ under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (as amended). The full details of the restrictions are set out in the Statutory Instrument, but broadly the restrictions prohibit candidature from public elected office; holding office in a political party; as well as involvement in political activities such as canvassing or public speaking/writing.

Closing date 6th November 2025.

Interviews: week commencing 17th November 2025.

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