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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives to enhance community safety and public service reform.
- Company: Greater Manchester Combined Authority, a leader in integrated public service innovation.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, training investment, and health support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference for 2.8 million residents while shaping impactful policies.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in policing, community safety, or public service reform.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to fairness and social justice.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Manchester / Hybrid
Salary: £84,182 - £93,126
Contract: Permanent, Fulltime
Please note that the successful applicant will be required to undertake a GMP Vetting Level 3 disclosure for this role.
About the Role
An exciting senior leadership opportunity has arisen to join the Safer & Stronger Communities Directorate as Deputy Director. This pivotal role supports the Deputy Mayor and the Executive Director in providing strategic leadership across a complex and high-impact agenda spanning policing, crime, criminal justice, fire, public safety, community resilience, and system-wide reform.
You will play a central role in improving safety, fairness and outcomes for the 2.8 million residents of Greater Manchester, while leading a motivated, values-driven senior leadership group.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership and direction across the Safer & Stronger portfolio, shaping delivery against GM priorities and the Deputy Mayor's Police, Crime & Fire ambitions.
- Lead, support and performance manage the directorate's Assistant Directors, ensuring accountability, collaboration and professional growth.
- Drive delivery of major programmes and reform across policing, community safety, criminal justice, victims & vulnerability, violence reduction, substance misuse, and fire & rescue services.
- Strengthen cross-system partnerships with local authorities, Greater Manchester Police, GMFRS, NHS, criminal justice partners, the voluntary sector and Government departments.
- Provide high-quality strategic advice, briefings and insight to the Deputy Mayor, Executive Director and other senior leaders.
- Champion a culture of inclusion, trust, wellbeing, transparency and continuous improvement.
- Oversee governance, risk, commissioning and budget responsibilities at a senior level.
- Represent GMCA regionally and nationally, shaping policy and driving system-wide change.
About You
We’re looking for a dynamic, collaborative and values driven leader who can confidently operate in a political, multi-agency and high-profile environment. You will bring:
- Significant senior leadership experience in policing, community safety, criminal justice, fire, public service reform or related fields.
- A proven track record of leading senior professionals, complex multidisciplinary teams.
- Highly developed strategic thinking, partnership building and influencing skills.
- Strong political acumen and experience working with elected leaders and senior stakeholders.
- Experience overseeing large programmes, performance management, budgets and organisational change.
- A passion for improving outcomes for communities and a commitment to fairness, safety and social justice.
Why Join Us?
Greater Manchester is nationally recognised for leadership in integrated public service reform, policing accountability and community safety innovation. As Deputy Director, you will be part of a committed and supportive senior leadership team, with the opportunity to influence strategy, drive change and deliver meaningful impact across the region.
GMCA brings together key strategic functions and service providers including GMFRS and others all focused on improving outcomes for communities across the city-region.
Hybrid Working
This role forms part of GMCA's hybrid working approach. You will combine attendance at our Manchester city centre offices (or relevant GMFRS/GMCA locations) with remote working. Working patterns will be agreed with your manager and regularly reviewed to ensure they meet both individual and business needs.
Our Offer
In return for your hard work, we offer a comprehensive Employee Value Proposition, including:
- Flexible working conditions (including flexitime accrual where applicable)
- Family-friendly policies including maternity, shared parental and adoption leave
- Opportunity to buy additional annual leave
- Generous annual leave entitlement (increasing with service)
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Investment in training, development and CPD
- Corporate travel loans, cycle scheme, MiRewards discount scheme
- Health & wellbeing support: Occupational Health and Employee Assistance Programme
- Modern city-centre offices (role-specific)
- Sports & Welfare Club
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
GMCA values the diversity of its workforce and aims to reflect the communities we serve across Greater Manchester. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We ensure fair and consistent treatment of applicants at every stage, including reasonable adjustments for disabled candidates.
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion plan, shaped by staff networks and our culture-first approach, supports meaningful and sustained progress across the organisation.
Pre-Employment Checks & Mandatory Information
- DBS: This role requires the successful applicant to undertake a Non-Police Personnel Level 3 vetting
- Right to Work: Applicants must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK.
- Redeployment: GMCA employees on the redeployment register may be given priority for this vacancy.
- Privacy Notice: Please review our Recruitment Privacy Notice via Greater.jobs.
- Sponsorship: Please note we are not a licenced sponsor.
How to Apply
Please apply via Greater.jobs (GMCA). Application link, closing date and interview timelines will be added by the Resourcing Team.
Deputy Director - Safer and Stronger Communities in Manchester employer: GMCA
Contact Detail:
GMCA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Director - Safer and Stronger Communities in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the public service sector, especially those involved in community safety and policing. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about the role and even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching GMCA's recent initiatives and challenges. Show us you’re not just a candidate but someone who’s genuinely interested in making a difference in Greater Manchester.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about your experiences leading teams and driving change. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Director - Safer and Stronger Communities in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Deputy Director. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this is a senior leadership position, emphasise your past experiences in leading teams and driving change. Share specific examples that demonstrate your strategic thinking and ability to manage complex projects.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key achievements stand out. This will help us quickly see why you're a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application via Greater.jobs. It's the best way to ensure it reaches us directly, and you'll find all the necessary details there to guide you through the process.
How to prepare for a job interview at GMCA
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the role of Deputy Director in Safer and Stronger Communities. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, especially around strategic leadership and community safety. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your senior leadership experience, particularly in policing or community safety. Be ready to discuss how you've led multidisciplinary teams and driven performance management in previous roles.
✨Understand the Political Landscape
Since this role involves working closely with elected leaders and stakeholders, brush up on local political issues and the current landscape in Greater Manchester. This knowledge will demonstrate your political acumen and ability to navigate complex environments.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Inclusion
The job calls for a values-driven leader who champions inclusion and trust. Prepare to discuss how you've fostered collaboration in past roles and how you plan to promote a culture of wellbeing and transparency within the team.