Strategic Support Officer

Division / Department – East Sussex Division
Grade – Grade 10
Status – Full Time
Contract Type – Permanent
Salary Grade Range – £34,329 – £37,692
Working Hours – 37.0 Hours per Week
Shift Allowance – No
Politically Restricted – No
Location – Eastbourne, Hammonds Drive

The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro-rata if the working hours are less than full time.

Chief Constables\’ Message

We really welcome your interest in joining our Police Force. It is a privilege to lead the teams in Surrey Police and Sussex Police who continuously work selflessly and tirelessly in order to keep people in our counties safe.

We are looking for talented and inspirational people who put the needs of the public at the heart of everything that they do and who want to make a difference. If you feel you are that person then we want to hear from you.

We wish you all the very best with your application.

The Role & Key Responsibilities

We are looking for a new Strategic Support Officer to work alongside our busy command team driving performance improvement across a number of areas, lead on inspection projects and act as staff officer to the divisional commander. This is an exciting role in a busy operational environment on division, and you will have the ability to self-motivate and identify areas for improvement across the division.

You’ll be responsible for pulling together performance packs for divisional meetings, in particular the monthly PEEL meeting for the division and identifying trends and risks.

You’ll act as a staff officer to the divisional commander, preparing reports, responding to queries, supporting inspection work, progressing performance plans, and managing risks.

The role is varied and you will have the opportunity to work at various sites across East Sussex with autonomy and determination to progress work that supports the overall performance of the division.

You’ll need to be confident using a range of IT programs, in particular teams, excel, Powerbi, outlook, powerpoint. You’ll be required to have access and navigate a range of our programs including NICHE, storm, body worn video management system, Nice, risk register.

Educated to A Level or equivalent qualifications with proven work experience in an analytical role would be preferred.

You’ll be comfortable communicating and influencing a range of stakeholders at strategic meetings. Working to tight deadlines with strong organisation and planning skills. You’ll be comfortable producing strategic reports and action plans for the division and presenting them at meetings. You’ll need to be able to analyse and interpret various performance data and identify themes and risk areas.

For queries in relation to the role please contact C/Supt Nick Dias.

Selection will include attending a competency based interview.

Closing date for applications is 22nd October 2025.

Skills & Experience

• Able to demonstrate a high level of verbal communication skills, including the ability to contribute or present to key stakeholders, senior leaders and strategic level Boards
• Experience of working with senior stakeholders
• Experience of managing complex tasks
• Experience of managing stakeholders demonstrating negotiating and influencing skills
• Able to produce a high standard of written communication, appropriate for the purpose and audience, including papers, reports, guidance, policy documents and
• Experience of working within a team
• Able to influence and negotiate with others and coach where appropriate to improve standards
• Ability to analyse and interpret force performance data and problem solve
• Ability to work without direct supervision and demonstrate a high level of self- management, motivation, drive and determination
• Able to demonstrate a respect for the opinions, circumstances and feelings of others
• Possess a high level of integrity and resilience
• Understanding of confidentiality and Data Protection/Freedom of Information issues

Why Work With Us?

Policing is an exciting 24/7 business and we all have commitments outside work. We’re invested in supporting people to balance their life with work and we encourage flexible working. We are open to conversations about job shares and part time working. We encourage agile working, giving you the opportunity to manage your own diary and work wherever you give the best service to the public. This may include flexi-time and home working.

We take pride in looking after our people and offer a variety of benefits;

• career progression
• contributory pension scheme (LGPS)
• generous annual leave allowance
• discounts for everyday spend
• on-site gyms and a range of sports clubs
• generous and supportive parental leave
• financial and mental wellbeing guidance and support
• discounted contributory healthcare scheme

We are only as good as our people. It\\\’s important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we\\\’ll grow from the variety of thinking, approach, and the skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.

We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of Disability Confident, hold Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status, are a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and are aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.

We are committed to being an anti-racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and to uphold anti-racist principles in both our organisation and our communities. For more information, you can read our full anti-racism statement here .

We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status, or religious belief, we would love to hear from you.

Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly. You may wish to consider adding noreply@surreysussexpolice.as.recruitmail.comto your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.

This post is being advertised in parallel with Force redeployment processes. Any redeployees who are identified will be given preference. This may result in the post being withdrawn at any point during the recruitment process.

Please note that not all jobs are available for internal candidates across both Forces, the current agreed recruitment principles are;

• vacancies in collaborated units are available to all officers and staff across both Forces
• vacancies in non-collaborated units are only available to officers and staff within the Force with the vacancy unless it is advertised externally
• if the vacancy is advertised externally and an officer or member of staff from the other Force is successful it will result in a transfer of employment

Surrey Police and Sussex Police Special Constables, Volunteers and Agency Staff (excluding self employed workers) covered under the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) are eligible to apply for internal advertised posts.