Policy and Strategy Lead (Dorchester)Bookmark this job

Policy and Strategy Lead

37 hours per week - Permanent

£51,515 - £57,287

County Hall, Dorchester

What's in it for you

Are you a strategic thinker with a curious mind and a strong interest in policy and strategy development? This data-driven role will be responsible for shaping key strategies and priorities for the council, including the council plan, and will play a strong co-ordinating role for cross-council initiatives and interpreting national legislation into a local context.

Your role will be part of a larger central Business Intelligence (BI) & Performance Service. It’s an exciting time to join us as we build out our new policy function and explore new approaches in data science and analytics, including the delivery of a new council-wide data & BI strategy. You will have the opportunity to make a difference. The work we do has a big impact, and the wider service is made up of the following core areas:

Central Policy & Strategy, Insight & Risk (new area) Data & Analytics (including Adult Social Care and Children’s statutory reporting) Strategic Performance

We are looking to recruit a new Policy and Strategy Lead to manage a specialist team covering the council’s policy, strategy & research team. This is a senior role, forming part of the wider leadership team for the Service. You will work closely with our BI & Performance Business Partners who will act as the key point of contact between the service and the directorates. We are looking for somebody who can help shape the direction of the function and who has sufficient experience to think and act strategically around our policy offer. 

We are a friendly, supportive, and outward looking team who enjoy showcasing the power of data. The breadth and depth of activities across the service ensures that no two days are the same – from working with our researchers and data scientists on modelling the cost-of-living crisis, through to understanding the data requirements of external inspections, there is always variety in what we do. This role forms a key part of this diverse management team and will add to the wealth of diverse skills and knowledge. 

What you will be doing

We are looking for a highly experienced manager with experience in policy and research. 

You will ensure that the policy function successfully analyses complex issues, provides strategic advice, and develops policy recommendations to support the council’s objectives.

The policy team monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of policy implementation, making recommendations as necessary. This includes providing data informed advice to senior management on policy issues.

This is a management role, managing a team of specialists and will be responsible, alongside the Service Manager, for setting the direction of the team and managing to successful results. As our Policy and Strategy Lead, you will also work alongside a wider management team of specialist Business Partners to help shape the use of data, including to inform policy. 

As manager you will lead, develop and be accountable for the work of the team, including leading the council’s central policy activities, working with senior leaders, including the Chief Executive. You will maintain a tactical oversight of political issues, policy contexts and consultations. You will work with teams from across the council to develop detailed knowledge to inform the authority’s broader policy stances, alongside supporting business areas to define and articulate a coherent position which aligns to the council’s wider council plan and objectives.

You will oversee the development of evidence-led policy positions and the preparation of written submissions and responses to central Government/Whitehall. You will provide oversight to the team’s preparation of reports and raise awareness of strategic issues for the council. All activity will be directed towards supporting the council’s various strategic, performance and policy objectives and other projects as required, and will play a key role in positioning Dorset in a local and national context.

You will oversee the work of the research team, working in close collaboration with the council’s Principal Research Officer to ensure policy and strategy are insight-led. 

The post holder will have the opportunity to be part of the Data & Analytics Centre of Excellence (DACOE) providing access to extensive training in data and analytics and a supportive community across the Dorset Integrated Care System (ICS). 

We adopt an agile approach to working, with opportunities to work either in the office or remotely depending on the activity. We encourage collaborative working across the team, where projects can often overlap team areas. As a service we also like to make full use of the technology available to us, including hybrid facilities which allow for with a mix of in-person and remote in the same setting. 

As part of the BI & Performance management team, you will help to guide the future direction of the central Business Intelligence and Performance service. 

About you

As the Policy and Strategy Lead at Dorset Council, you will need:

Strong experience in policy development, strategic planning and related fields, ideally within a public sector environment. An understanding of evidence-based approaches with strong analytical skills and the ability to research, interpret, and synthesise complex information from various sources. A strong understanding of emerging UK legislation, with a track record of interpreting this at a local level.  Demonstrated ability to think strategically, analyse problems, and develop creative and practical solutions. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders at all levels.

Essential for the role:

Degree/NVQ 4 level qualification in a relevant discipline or equivalent  Management or supervisory qualification or equivalent or significant experience of working at this level Significant demonstrable experience in a relevant management and/or performance improvement role in a changing environment Proven experience of managing staff including performance review Proven experience of senior-level policy work and research Experience of customer care Previous experience of working in a large organisation or local authority Detailed knowledge of policy, procedures, legislation and strategic developments relevant to the function area Detailed knowledge and understanding of project management Detailed knowledge of IT systems and their application within a large organisation Good understanding of the work of local authorities Knowledge of best practice in relation to customer care Ability to manage, motivate and co-ordinate the workload of a team or teams Ability to develop and/or contribute to appropriate strategic policies and special projects Ability to build and sustain good working relationships with people at all levels both internal and external Ability to negotiate, influence and persuade effectively in person and in writing Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills High level IT and numeracy skills Ability to apply confidentiality to all information handled Customer care skills

Dorset Council: A great place to work

We’re passionate about making Dorset a great place to live, work and visit. Working for us should be no exception.

At Dorset Council we:

provide more than 450 services to over 300,000 residents have ambitious aspirations are excited about our future care about Dorset and all the people who live here know that all roles make a difference and that our employees are key to our success

You will:

have access to be part of an organisation that supports each other to grow and succeed have access to range of training opportunities which will help with your personal development and career progression

We are challenging ourselves to become a more diverse and inclusive organisation. We recognise that recruitment and inclusion of individuals with diverse skills, perspectives and backgrounds will bring real strength to the council and our communities. and welcome applications from everyone.

We are We offer an interview to everyone who declares a disability and meets the essential criteria for the role.

We are keen to make our interviews accessible. Let us know on your job application if you have a disability and need any reasonable adjustments.

We also look for applicants who share . We will ask you to evidence when you have demonstrated them as part of the selection process.

If appointed, the personal information we collect from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected, you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found at .

Additional Information

This post requires you to have access to sensitive information. It will be subject to a Basic Criminal Records Check. See our .

This role is UK based and we will need to establish your Right to Work as part of the appointment process.

We use generic job descriptions and person specifications. This means the job title on any attachments may differ from the job title in the advert. We may provide specific information in a context statement if relevant.