At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of early help services for children and families in Hampshire.
- Company: Hampshire County Council, committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, and comprehensive support for wellbeing.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on innovation and community support.
- Why this job: Shape impactful services and drive positive change for communities.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in early help and strong strategic skills required.
Salary Range: £82,339 - £92,410 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 13 July 2026
Interview Date: 22 July 2026
The Role
Joining us as the Head of Strategic Development, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of early help and intervention and prevention across Hampshire. In this pivotal, newly created role, you will lead the development and implementation of services that provide children, young people and families with the right support at the right time, improving outcomes, reducing inequality and helping to prevent the need for statutory intervention. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Children's Services and as a member of the Directorate's senior leadership team, you will play a key role in translating national reform priorities, including the Families First Partnership programme and Best Start Family Hubs, into successful sustainable local services. Working across a complex and evolving landscape, you will drive innovation, strengthen partnerships and help build a connected system of support that enables every child and family to thrive.
What you’ll do
- Lead the strategic direction and operations of Hampshire's early help and intervention and prevention services, including Best Start Family Hubs.
- Drive the design, delivery, operations and continuous improvement of high-quality early help services, ensuring alignment with national reforms.
- Build and sustain strong partnerships across health, education, policing and the voluntary and community sector to improve outcomes for children and families.
- Oversee the implementation and long‑term sustainability of Best Start Family Hubs as part of an integrated support offer.
- Lead performance, quality assurance and service improvement activities, using data and insight to maximise impact.
- Manage budgets, commissioning and resources while developing a skilled, strengths‑based workforce.
What we’re looking for
- Significant senior leadership experience within early help, family support, prevention or related place‑based services.
- Strong knowledge of the Families First Partnership programme, Best Start Family Hubs, Family Help and wider early intervention and prevention policy.
- Proven experience of leading complex systems, service transformation and partnership‑based delivery.
- Strong strategic leadership skills, with the ability to translate vision into effective operational delivery.
- Experience of managing complex budgets, driving performance and leading through change, inspection and political scrutiny.
- Exceptional communication, influencing and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to work credibly at senior level and drive improvement across organisational boundaries.
Benefits and development
- Shape a newly created role with county‑wide impact, influencing how early help and intervention and prevention services are designed and delivered for children and families across Hampshire.
- Build on a strong foundation of innovation and Outstanding children’s services, leading ambitious reform and creating lasting, positive change for communities.
- Access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
- Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
Travel Requirements
You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire or other local authority areas, and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.
Vetting Requirements
The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. Under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion
For general enquiries, please contact: For an informal chat about the role, please contact Kavitha Maxy, Deputy Director of Children's Services on [phone/email placeholder].
We are a Disability Confident Employer – committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible. Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement applies. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK; sponsorship is not available.
Head Of Strategic Development in Winchester employer: ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where community engagement and consumer protection are at the forefront. Employees benefit from a supportive culture that prioritises professional development and collaboration, ensuring that you can grow your skills while making a meaningful impact in safeguarding consumers and promoting fair trade within the borough.
Contact Details:
ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Strategic Development in Winchester
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Head Of Strategic Development position at ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Strategic Development in Winchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA.
