Specialist Manager

Colbern Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

A public sector consultancy is seeking an Interim Business Continuity Manager in Bexleyheath, Kent. This role involves leading emergency planning initiatives, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, and coordinating with various stakeholders. Strong leadership, relationship management, and analytical skills are essential. The position offers £69.44 per hour PAYE or £96.74 per hour limited, with a minimum of 2 days required in the office, focusing on improving the council's preparedness for emergencies.

Qualifications

• Must possess expert knowledge in business continuity.
• Prior experience in emergency planning required.
• Strong organizational capabilities are essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Corporate Emergency Planning and Business Continuity teams.
• Develop and implement strategies for civil emergency preparedness.
• Provide strategic advice on Emergency Planning matters.

Skills

Expert knowledge of current and impending issues in preparedness.

Excellent awareness of emergency planning and business continuity statutory requirements.

Knowledge of local government political processes.

Highly developed relationship management skills.

Successful track record in emergency planning.

Ability to navigate conflict effectively.

Strong analytical skills.

Excellent communication skills.

Job description

Interim Business Continuity Manager

Bexleyheath, Kent
Contract £69.44 per hour PAYE or £96.74 per hour limited paid via umbrella company inside IR35
Minimum 2 days in office

Purpose of Role

To act as the professional lead for the council's civil protection duties and overall preparedness for civil emergency or business disruption. This will include providing strategic direction to the Council to fulfil the council's duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, and its associated regulations, and leading the Corporate Emergency Planning and Business Continuity teams in the provision of competent advice, assistance and assurance to the Council.

To develop and implement strategies, policies and plans to improve the council's preparedness for civil emergency and business disruption, ensuring compliance with current and future legislation, professional guidance, national standards, national and local risk.

To deliver the service efficiently and deliver value for money to ensure the best outcomes for the Council, its members, our employees, our fellow categorised responders, other partners, and those who live, work or visit Bexley.

To maintain professional awareness of factors that may impact the Council and to proactively support in the effective management of the Health & Safety risk to the organisation.

To support the Chief Executive successfully deliver their role within strategic and tactical resilience groups including the Borough Resilience Forum (BRF) to improve preparedness among all emergency responders, not just the council.

Accountabilities

1. Determine the Council's strategic resilience priorities and objectives and ensure that these are delivered to the highest standard through the leadership of professional and competent Emergency Planning and Business Continuity teams.
2. Prepare relevant emergency plans and operational procedures, maintain, review and update these documents as necessary, ensuring they are integrated with the emergency services and other responders.
3. Achieve organisational compliance through effective collaboration with others, using focused communications and proportionate escalation.
4. Provide strategic and operational advice on all Emergency Planning and Business Continuity matters, identify strategic and operational implications, and determine key priorities.
5. Review, revise as necessary and maintain the Corporate Business Continuity plan, provide guidance notes and codes of practice in support of the policy, and lead activities, workshops, etc. to ensure the policy is brought to the attention of staff.
6. Lead the operationalisation of Emergency Planning and Business Continuity, responding to new and emerging issues as required, and maintain an overview of the wider planning landscape, representing the Council on national, regional and local bodies to influence developments, recognise potential impacts, and highlight issues to senior management and/or Elected Members.
7. Design, promote and embed robust preparedness across the Council. Evaluate compliance through efficient auditing and monitoring of systems to improve standards.
8. Lead on identifying the preparedness implications of legislative changes and best practice ensuring Council compliance.
9. Provide expert advice on complex technical and managerial queries and establish policies and procedures to support Members, the Corporate Leadership Team, Deputy Directors, senior managers and staff in the interpretation of wide-ranging legislation and implementation of compliance standards.
10. Provide and coordinate emergency planning and business continuity expert advice across the full range of Council services, including schools, housing, commissioning and procurement processes to secure quality, efficient practice, and customer satisfaction.
11. Develop robust collaborative working relationships through joint and partnership working and sharing information, including developing procedures, attending management meetings and liaising with external agencies, including enforcement agencies, to ensure a consistent approach.
12. Ensure effective consultation and strategic engagement with Elected Members, the Corporate Leadership Team, and senior management teams through the provision of reports and other information and being lead adviser within strategic groups and committees.

Expert Knowledge & Skills

• Expert knowledge of current and impending issues in preparedness.
• Excellent awareness of emergency planning and business continuity statutory requirements, national and corporate policies and legislation, organisational obligations and implications of variations in service delivery models.
• Knowledge of the complex political and democratic processes within local government, together with an understanding of the relationships with other local authorities and statutory bodies.
• Highly developed relationship management skills delivered through effective leadership, and influencing skills to deal effectively and professionally with a variety of people at all levels to embed a compliance culture.
• Successful track record of planning, development and implementation of emergency planning and business continuity systems in medium to large, complex organisations.
• Ability to successfully navigate conflict whilst developing and maintaining constructive relationships.
• Able to analyse and resolve complex issues, balancing organisational risk with business needs.
• Able to understand and interpret emergency planning and business continuity legislation and information, collate, interpret and use research and statistical data, draw conclusions and recommend actions and to make such information understandable across various audiences.
• Excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.
• The ability to be proportionate is key.

Recruitment Process

The first part of our recruitment process is to send your CV. Should you be shortlisted, Colbern Limited will contact you within 5 days or may contact you about other job opportunities.

Colbern Limited, together with our clients, are an equal opportunities employer.