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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead community-focused strategies and shape impactful programmes for Southwark residents.
- Company: Southwark Council, committed to social justice and community engagement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, additional benefits, flexible work pattern, and a focus on diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in communities and help shape the future of Southwark.
- Qualifications: Senior experience in strategy and community services, with strong leadership and communication skills.
- Other info: Join a diverse team dedicated to tackling inequalities and fostering community change.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 85000 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
Why Southwark?
The Assistant Director role will sit at the heart of strategy, partnership and community change across Southwark. It's about shaping how the council works with people, putting them at the heart of the future of the borough and the services they use.
You’ll lead work that supports lasting change in communities, designing interventions alongside residents and partners that contribute to our shared vision of good lives. You’ll also play a pivotal role in forming a new team and embedding new ways of working, creating the conditions for co-design, partnership and insight-led decision-making to thrive across the council. This is a chance to help build something meaningful, purposeful and enduring, with communities.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Set the strategic direction for co-design, insight and innovation across the council
- Turn borough priorities and the Southwark 2030 strategy into practical, resident-led programmes
- Shape engagement and involvement approaches that strengthen relationships with communities
- Own the council's approach to insight and intelligence, ensuring decisions are evidence-led and outcomes measurable
- Lead strategic partnerships, particularly across the voluntary and community sector
- Bring high quality community insight and involvement to our wide ranging change portfolio
- Build, develop and inspire multidisciplinary teams to deliver consistently high standards
- Act as a trusted adviser to councillors and senior leaders, communicating complex ideas with clarity and confidence
What We’re Looking For
- Senior experience leading strategy, policy, insight or community-focused services in a complex organisation
- A strong track record of innovation and co-creation, from concept through to delivery
- Confidence using data and intelligence to shape decisions and demonstrate impact
- Political acumen and credibility operating at senior levels
- A collaborative, empowering leadership style with high expectations of performance
- Clear, persuasive communication written, verbal and presentational
- Sharp problem-solving ability with an eye for continuous improvement and innovation.
You’ll enjoy a flexible work pattern with 3 days working from various sites across the borough including our Tooley Street offices. This role is being offered on a 12-month fixed term or secondment basis. We are unable to offer Visa Sponsorship for this role.
Additional Information
About Southwark Council
Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark's residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues such as The Shard, The Tate Modern and Borough Market along with many social enterprises and we have a young, diverse, and growing population.
At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities.
Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark's communities and the council's staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.
Benefits and more information
Working for Southwark Council – Southwark Salary Range: £83,964 – £105,096 This post attracts an additional benefit to the value of £3,503 PA for staff which can be used for benefits or taken as cash.
Application Closing Date: 11:59pm on 26th of February 2026 Interview Date: 11th of March 2025 We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities.
This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian, and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you’ll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care or have previously been in care.
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role, in which case we will move the key dates for the process. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Assistant Director Strategy, Insight and Performance (12 MTH FTC) in London employer: Southwark Council
Contact Detail:
Southwark Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director Strategy, Insight and Performance (12 MTH FTC) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to Southwark Council. Attend local events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues and decision-makers. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Southwark's community initiatives and their strategic goals. Show that you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about making a difference in the borough. Tailor your examples to highlight your experience in community-focused services.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! You’ll need to convey complex ideas clearly and confidently. Grab a friend or mentor and do some mock interviews. Get feedback on how you present your thoughts and ensure you come across as persuasive and engaging.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly. So, get your application in early and stand out from the crowd!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director Strategy, Insight and Performance (12 MTH FTC) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Assistant Director role. Highlight your senior experience in strategy and community-focused services, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Impact: When detailing your past roles, focus on the impact you've made through innovation and co-creation. We want to see how you've used data and insight to drive decisions and improve outcomes in your previous positions.
Communicate Clearly: Your written communication should be clear and persuasive. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can communicate complex ideas with confidence, so make sure your application reflects that ability right from the start.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Southwark Council.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southwark Council
✨Know Your Community
Before the interview, dive deep into Southwark's community dynamics. Understand the key issues residents face and think about how your experience can contribute to meaningful change. This will show your genuine interest in the role and the community.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare examples of how you've set strategic directions in previous roles. Be ready to discuss how you turned complex ideas into actionable plans, especially in community-focused settings. This will demonstrate your ability to lead and innovate.
✨Communicate with Clarity
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and persuasively. Given the role's emphasis on communication with councillors and senior leaders, being able to convey complex ideas simply will be crucial. Consider doing mock interviews to refine this skill.
✨Highlight Collaborative Successes
Think of instances where you've successfully collaborated with diverse teams or stakeholders. Share these stories during your interview to illustrate your empowering leadership style and your commitment to co-design and partnership.
