HEAD OF POLICY AND PARTNERSHIPS

Employer: Medway Council
Salary: Range Service Manager (£61,140 - £73,241) per annum plus special allowance payment of £5573 per annum
Location: To be confirmed
Contract: To be confirmed
Working Pattern: To be confirmed
Hours: 37.
DBS Check: No
Closing Date: 09/05/2025 at 23:55
Reference: REC/707/266/LS
Are you ready to take on a role make a significant impact within Medway Council’s Finance and Business Improvement Division? We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Policy and Partnerships to establish and lead a band new team that will guide Medway Council through a pivotal period of transition under local government reorganisation.
About the role: This high-profile role will be reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer. You will spearhead the Policy and Partnerships team and your leadership will be crucial in shaping the future of our region’s devolution priorities and ensuring the best possible outcomes for Medway’s residents.

OUR ORGANISATION

Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, made up of the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham and more rural areas, including the Hoo Peninsula.
Situated in Kent in the South-East of England, the area has plenty of green spaces, excellent facilities and easy access to the national motorway and rail networks, facilitating superb transport links to London.
We provide all local Government services for a quarter of a million people, looking after education, environment, social care, housing, planning, business and much more - everything from frontline services such as rubbish collection and events like the Dickens Festival to work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure services in Medway run smoothly and cost effectively.
Working at Medway Council means that you get to be part of this journey working alongside talented, professional colleagues to drive forward change to transform the lives of our residents and the communities they live in.
Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. This means that the salary you will be offered will be at level A unless, based on an assessment against the CPF criteria, you demonstrate that you are meeting the criteria of level B or C. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.
When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.
The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels: Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.
Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practised in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A.
Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience.
The Finance and Business Improvement Division are seeking to appoint a Head of Policy and Partnerships. You can demonstrate knowledge, experience and skills to allow you to perform within this role. You will identify, through application, how you meet the elements detailed within the person specification, at either Level A, B or C. You will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.

• Lead policy development: Manage complex policy initiatives, ensuring Medway Council’s voice is heard at the government level. Provide expert advice to senior leaders and elected members.
• Project management: Oversee programmes and projects, ensuring timely delivery and achievement of objectives.
• Policy documentation: Produce comprehensive briefing papers and policy documents, facilitating the publication of guidance and reports.
• Stakeholder engagement: Collaborate with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders, including Members, Corporate Management Team, external partners, and residents.
• Relationship Building: Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with external entities.
  The person we are looking for: A strategic thinker and leader who will thrive in the fast-paced and evolving environment and be able to work, lead and motivate a team successfully through periods of pressure. A first-rate communicator, highly organised and with a strong track record of delivering on key projects, implementing policies and change, a chance to establish a new, high-profile team means this post could be a career-defining role for the right candidate.
  Interested? For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Phil Watts, Chief Operating Officer, at 01634 334411.