Strategy and Policy Lead

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Job Description

Strategy and Policy Lead | 8176 | Permanent Contract | 37 hours per week | £48,610 to £52,594 per annum (Scale L) | County Hall

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for shaping policy and driving change that matters?

At Norfolk County Council we are fiercely ambitious for our county and our people, and strive to be one of the best performing counties in the country.

Job Description

Strategy and Policy Lead | 8176 | Permanent Contract | 37 hours per week | £48,610 to £52,594 per annum (Scale L) | County Hall

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for shaping policy and driving change that matters?

At Norfolk County Council we are fiercely ambitious for our county and our people, and strive to be one of the best performing counties in the country.

We are currently looking for a forward-looking Strategy & Policy Lead to help shape the future direction of the Council and amplify our voice locally and nationally.

About The Role

As a Strategy & Policy Lead, you’ll play a vital role in driving the Council’s strategic agenda. Based within a small, agile team at the centre of the organisation, you’ll work collaboratively across departments and services to ensure policy and plans align with our core priorities and deliver meaningful outcomes for Norfolk’s residents.

A key aspect of the role will be supporting Cabinet Members and senior leaders with external engagement—championing Norfolk’s interests and building productive relationships with government, public sector partners, and other stakeholders. Your ability to analyse complex issues, develop persuasive narratives, and influence decision-makers will be crucial in securing support for our ambitions.

This is a pivotal moment for local government—and an opportunity to help shape its future. From devolution to local government reorganisation and public service reform, you’ll work closely with senior leaders and key stakeholders on some of the sector’s most pressing agendas.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Lead policy research and strategy development to address emerging challenges and shape meaningful solutions.
• Support the development and implementation of the Council’s strategy to strengthen its influence on regional and national policy.
• Work closely with key stakeholders to ensure policies align with national priorities, as well as local needs.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with central government, public sector bodies, and key decision-makers.
• Contribute to campaigns and communications to promote awareness of, and support for, key Council priorities.
• Monitor policy developments and political landscapes, and provide expert advice to senior leaders and elected officials on key policy matters.
• Support strategic meetings and corporate governance, and represent the Council in discussions, forums, and consultations to advocate for Norfolk’s interests.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Experience in strategy development and policy analysis
• Awareness of local government and public sector challenges
• Strong understanding of public affairs, advocacy, or strategic influencing
• A high-degree of political awareness
• Excellent communication, networking and stakeholder management skills
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach
• A team player with the ability to thrive in matrix management environments, fostering collaboration across diverse teams.

We know we’re asking for a lot, and in return we think we have a lot to offer. There’s the role itself, where you will play a key part at the heart of the organisation. There’s our ways of working, where we put work life balance at the forefront and offer flexible, hybrid working arrangements, all underpinned by first class technology. And then there’s our County, with its long history and culture, unique blend of city, market towns and coastal communities, its stunning beaches and areas of outstanding beauty – all hard to beat!

So, if you’re still reading, and you think you have what it takes, then we would love to hear from you.

These are some benefits you can enjoy by working for Norfolk County Council:

• Competitive salary
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service
• Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, part time, remote and hybrid working – dependent on your job role and business need.
• Financial benefits such as:

• ‘ Norfolk Rewards’ our employee discounts programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out.
• A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers
• Relocation expenses (where applicable)
• An advance of your expenses if you travel for work
• Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants’ pensions
• Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes
• Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra-low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility)
• A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job

We want our people to be inspired and motivated to work well together, make the most of our workspaces, enjoy a healthy work-life balance, and deliver excellent services to Norfolk and its people. Flexibility is built into the way we work, with hybrid working a key feature for many roles. Our technology platform and equipment are first class, enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We ask that you have in place good Broadband connectivity.

Before you apply, we recommend reading the full Job description and person specification to help you demonstrate how you meet the criteria. You can also find information on our Terms and Conditions here.

Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for all internal and external vacancies via myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email.

We would like to make you aware that priority consideration for this post may be given to current employees who are at risk due to restructure within the organisation or are in a redeployment position.

Redeployment closing date: 24 June 2025 23:59

All other applicants closing date: 2 July 2025 23:59

About Us

We have miles of beautiful coastline and our unique Broads, thriving market towns and a city with a proud cultural heritage. Our economy is growing and driven by innovation in a number of sectors, including energy and food. We also have ambitious plans for new housing and a building programme for schools across Norfolk. Our county a great place to live, work and visit, and is an excellent environment for businesses to start, grow and innovate.

We are the main local authority for Norfolk providing services countywide to more than 850,000 Norfolk residents. We take the lead in critical policy areas, working with 84 elected Members responsible for the strategic local government services in the county.

We provide a high quality service through involving people who use our services to shape and comment on them and by promoting efficiency and innovation.

We work in partnership with local businesses, voluntary organisations and other local authorities such as District and Parish Councils to provide the people of Norfolk with excellent services.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

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• Job function

  Other

• Industries

  Government Administration

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