Head of Strategic Planning - Bristol, United Kingdom - UK Civil Service

Description

Job summary

The Office for Local Government (Oflog)�s vision is to help make local government even better. We will increase understanding about the performance of local authorities, warn when authorities are at risk of serious failure, and support local government to improve itself.

To do that, Oflog�s strategic objectives are:

� inform � to increase understanding - among citizens, civil society, central government and local government itself - about data on the performance of local authorities;

� warn � to help identify local authorities that are at risk of serious failure but have not raised the alarm themselves; and

� support � to support local government to improve performance, productivity, and value for money: championing best practice, improving data capability and rationalising a complex data landscape.

Oflog is a key priority of the Secretary of State. It is an office of DLUHC, meaning all staff are DLUHC civil servants. The government committed in the Levelling Up White Paper that Oflog would be independent, and Ministers have asked us to act with a spirit of independence and have committed not to exercise influence over our outputs (other than approving our recommendations for new metrics). We look forward to Oflog�s increasing independence.

Oflog is a mixed-discipline team, including policy and local government experts, and analysts from a range of disciplines. This is a unique time to participate in setting up a new organisation from the ground up. While supporting the aims of Oflog, successful candidate/s will have an opportunity to work in a nimble organisation and to shape the overall organisation and its culture.

Job description

We are looking for a G6 Head of Strategic Planning and Business Management. This role will lead a team of ~8 staff on to deliver strategic project management, business management, financial management and recruitment and resourcing for Oflog.

This will involve:

� Managing, developing and improving Oflog�s strategic planning and Programme and Project Management (PPM);

� Budgetary and financial management for the organisation;

� Building Oflog�s capacity and capability, including leading recruitment for the organisation, managing internal resourcing, and supporting the development of skills and capabilities within Oflog;

� Developing and managing Oflog�s culture as a place to work;

� Act as a member of Oflog�s senior leadership team, the Extended Executive Team.

Person specification

We are looking for a candidate with experience and skills in the follow areas.

Essential

� Strong and demonstrated Project Management and Delivery expertise

� Demonstrated financial and budget management skills

� Excellent stakeholder management skills and an ability to work collaboratively, build consensus and influence outcomes with external partners, as well as challenge senior stakeholders where necessary.

� Ability to manage different workstreams with interdependencies, including delivering outcomes through others.

� Ability to build collaborative and trusted working relationships with a variety of internal partners.

� An ability to communicate clearly, and see the bigger picture

Desirable

� Experience of working on high profile and fast paced issues.

� Good knowledge and demonstrable understanding of the local government sector.

Desirable Qualifications

� APM Chartered Project Professional or

� accredited senior practitioner within the government project delivery profession (or committed to working towards it); or

� Appropriate Portfolio / Programme management qualification ( one of the following):�

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Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Benefits