At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategy and communications to empower communities and enhance services.
- Company: Sandwell Council, dedicated to transforming lives and delivering excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Shape the future of Sandwell and ensure residents' voices are heard.
- Qualifications: Experience in corporate strategy, policy development, and political environments.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team at a pivotal moment in our organisational journey.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Enabling People, Empowering Communities, Enhancing Places. Sandwell’s story is one of potential and striving to realise the ambitions of our borough, our residents and communities. We have been through a period of significant challenge including government intervention, but through determination and our drive for excellence, we look to the future with pride and a sense of purpose. While we have come so far, there is more to do; breaking down silos, embedding our values across the organisation, and ensuring that we continue to transform to deliver the best services for our residents.
Created 50 years ago from six proud towns, each unique but united by a shared identity and rich culture, Sandwell is a place built on making things happen. It’s where industry met innovation, and where strong communities continue to shape the future. We are looking for a dynamic Service Director of Strategy & Communications to develop and lead high‑performing functions at a pivotal moment in our organisational journey.
Bringing together corporate strategy, policy and performance, along with communications, you will develop a directorate with a unified vision driving organisational clarity, aligned with political ambition and ensuring our collective focus on empowering services to deliver for our residents and local businesses. You will strengthen the corporate leadership of these core enabling functions, whilst having the agility to reflect specific service needs so that our strategic approach meets the needs of Sandwell.
Working with political leaders and the strategic leadership team, you will develop clear organisational strategy and policy that will shape how we operate as an organisation, and support how we deliver our ambitions. You will inform marketing, communications and community engagement strategies, ensuring residents' voices are not only heard but that we reflect the needs of local people in how the council goes about its business.
Bring a depth of corporate strategy and policy development experience, along with experience of working within a political environment and the ability to develop and implement communications, strategy, policy and performance functions. Engaging and motivating colleagues across the authority and with our partners, you will translate political and organisational priorities into clear messaging internally and externally, ensuring that messaging is coherent and engages our residents and workforce. You will connect the dots between strategy, policy, and service improvement.
Service Director - Strategy & Communications employer: Sandwell Council
Contact Detail:
Sandwell Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Director - Strategy & Communications
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Understand their mission and how you can contribute to empowering communities and enhancing places. We want you to shine, so practice common interview questions and have your own ready to show your interest!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills through real-life examples. When discussing your experience, relate it back to how you can develop and lead high-performing functions. We love seeing candidates who can connect their past achievements to the role they’re applying for.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who are ready to make a difference in Sandwell, so let’s get your application in!
We think you need these skills to ace Service Director - Strategy & Communications
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Audience: Before you start writing, take a moment to understand who you're addressing. Tailor your application to resonate with Sandwell's values and ambitions, showing that you’re not just another candidate but someone who truly gets what they’re about.
Be Clear and Concise: When it comes to your written application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. Make sure your experience and skills shine through without unnecessary fluff – we want to see the real you!
Showcase Relevant Experience: Highlight your experience in corporate strategy, policy development, and communications. Use specific examples that demonstrate how you've made an impact in similar roles. This is your chance to connect the dots between your past achievements and what Sandwell needs.
Follow the Application Instructions: Make sure you apply through our website and follow any specific instructions provided. Attention to detail matters! It shows us that you can follow through on tasks and are genuinely interested in the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sandwell Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand Sandwell's story and the challenges it faces. Familiarise yourself with their values and how they aim to empower communities. This will show that you're genuinely interested in the role and can align your vision with theirs.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your expertise in corporate strategy, policy development, and communications. Highlight instances where you've successfully engaged with political leaders or transformed services to meet community needs.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, ask insightful questions about their current strategies and how they plan to overcome existing challenges. This not only shows your interest but also your strategic thinking and ability to connect with their goals.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since the role involves translating complex strategies into clear messaging, practice articulating your thoughts concisely. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon to ensure your ideas are easily understood by all stakeholders.