Director – South London Partnership

South London is a place of real ambition and remarkable scale. Five boroughs—Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Richmond upon Thames and Sutton—home to more than 1.2 million people and an economy generating over £38 billion in GVA. Through the South London Partnership, they collaborate to secure investment, shape policy and deliver outcomes for residents and businesses. This is your opportunity to lead it.

The South London Partnership is designed by the boroughs for the boroughs. It coordinates together on driving inclusive and sustainable growth, health and care collaboration, supporting residents into jobs and skills, improving connectivity, and building digital and transport infrastructure. Its BIG Ambition, South London Growth, outlines a roadmap to 2035 aligned with the London Growth Plan, aiming to secure government support and devolution. A new SLP Transport Strategy is about to be published. What’s needed now is the leader to drive it forward.

Responsibilities

• Lead the South London Partnership, working directly with the Leaders and Chief Executives of all five boroughs to shape priorities and deliver collective ambition.
• Direct a core team overseeing a £25m portfolio of funded programmes spanning economic growth, employment and skills, health, digital inclusion, transport and climate.
• Represent the sub-region with government departments, the Mayor of London and the GLA, London Councils, the Integrated Care System, universities, colleges and business to articulate challenges, opportunities and investment cases.

Qualifications and profile

• Self-starter who is comfortable with ambiguity and can operate between strategy and delivery, politics and partnership.
• Excellent political acumen and judgement with a deep understanding of London and national government.
• Proven track record of leading large-scale programmes involving multiple stakeholders with differing priorities.
• Strong ability to build and nurture relationships and to lead a partnership that serves all members equally.

In return, you’ll inherit a partnership with momentum, political and officer-level support, and a strong track record of delivery and influence. You’ll have the freedom to identify new areas of collaboration and shape the strategic direction of the sub-region for years to come. Hosted by Richmond Council, you’ll work flexibly and visibly across all five boroughs, with the backing of five Chief Executives who are invested, as equal stakeholders, in your success. The South London Partnership boroughs are committed to diversity and inclusion in leadership, and we actively welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.