Business Relationship Manager

You will have operational oversight of the Leeds for Learning website, LCC's one stop shop for traded services, communication and resources for schools. You will be the key point of contact for stakeholders, working with the IT developers, schools, and LCC teams, providing training, quality assuring content, managing change and identifying new developments. You will also work closely with services to develop commercial expertise to grow and consolidate business, as well as supporting then to identify efficient ways of working. The role is hybrid and there will be an expectation that you will work from Merrion House and sometimes Technorth at least twice a week.,

• Manage the Leeds for Learning website to support the development of the council wide traded offer to schools and settings within and beyond Leeds
• Support the strategic and operational development of the traded services traded function
• Provide a key point of contact, co-ordination and advocacy for the key strategic responsibilities of the Business Relationship Lead
• Work closely with stakeholders to develop and implement individual service plans for the next 3 years which identify areas for business consolidation and business growth
• Act as a regular point of liaison, leadership and support in managing the relationship between individual traded services and internal partners and stakeholders
• Act as a key advocate and representative to external customers and partners on behalf of children's services with an emphasis on high quality customer service.
• Lead and support the development and ongoing maintenance of effective governance arrangements for traded services
• Work with stakeholders effectively lead and facilitate change.
Responsibilities
• Day to day management and ongoing quality assurance of the Leeds for Learning website
• Support the development and co-ordination of effective strategic and operational governance arrangements
• Lead and support the delivery of a co-ordinated approach to traded services to schools and settings.
• Work with traded services to develop and implement strategic business and trading models through creation and delivery of training, one to one support and the development of tools and materials.
• Co-ordinate the preparation and presentation of financial reports
• Co-ordinate the preparation of strategic and operational reports and updates.
• Manage internal and external stakeholder relationships
• Proactively seek business opportunities with internal and external partners
• Represent children and families' services at a senior level with customers and partners.
• Deliver high quality customer service through direct contact with customers.
• Effectively communicate traded services progress and activities with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the Business Relationship Lead to deliver traded services ambitions in accordance with key Leeds City Council and Children's Services strategic priorities.
• Support the Business Relationship Lead to identify the potential growth of support needs for traded services and take appropriate steps to meet those needs.
• Work with traded services and marketing colleagues to develop and implement an effective corporate marketing strategy for Leeds for Learning
• Co-ordinate effective professional support for traded services as required, including legal, HR and contracting support.
• Lead the development and maintenance of high quality, consistent and effective business support, sales and billing processes.
• Gather, analyse and present intelligence on potential markets and competitors.
• Work with services to monitor and evaluate the quality of traded services as perceived by customers.
• Work with services and stakeholders to monitor and evaluate financial performance.
• Work closely with the Business Relationship Lead to hold services accountable for the annual business cycle across product development, product marketing and availability and product evaluation.
• Support services to ensure they comply with relevant statutory, regulatory and policy requirements
• Promote, demonstrate and evidence the Council's values and expected behaviours through your own role and through the work of the service.
• Implement, manage and adhere to effective governance and risk management arrangements to assure successful delivery of work within your remit.
• Manage and handle information and data in line with the Council's policies on Information Governance
• Ensure compliance with legislation, national standards, best practice and all council policies in pursuit of excellence in service delivery.
• Respond effectively to customer enquiries in an appropriate way.
• Ensure promotion and support of Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the post., Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Be aware of and be able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee's responsibility under Health and Safety.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
  
  An exciting opportunity has arisen to join us, as our Business Relationship Manager. This job would suit someone with an aptitude for, and enjoyment of, working with websites and technology, who enjoys challenging existing ways of working finding new and efficient approaches, is experienced in building effective relationships, and has commercial knowledge., experience of building business relationships with a view to developing traded opportunities and achieving income targets
• an innovative, solution focussed mindset that will support teams to identify efficiencies using the website and other digital solutions
• excellent written and oral communication skills
• experience of preparing and delivering high quality CPD
• a high degree of energy, enthusiasm and commitment for providing excellent services, Degree or equivalent experience, It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements., Ability to develop productive working relationships at all levels that command respect, trust and confidence.
• Ability to think and act in a commercial way in terms of analysing data and other information to inform sales and marketing strategies
• Ability to co-ordinate a wide range of initiatives, ideas and projects in a way that ensures consistency of approach.
• Ability to identify and implement change programmes, improve service quality and support a culture that drives up standards and performance
• Ability to manage projects and initiatives and work within a programme/project environment.
• Ability to develop and implement new policies and approaches that respond to the changing local and national context, including financial considerations.
• Ability to make a contribution to the strategic direction of the Service
• Ability to matrix manage cross-service teams.
• Ability to give appropriate professional advice at a senior management level
• Able to work on own initiative making decisions and judgements commensurate with the role.
• Ability to interpret local / national strategy and make this meaningful to wider partners and the public.
• Ability to prepare and present high level information and reports.
• An ability to grasp and work within the council's Governance framework.
Knowledge Required
• Broad and applied knowledge of themes, key initiatives and challenges across the children's services agenda and how these apply within the context of the city. In particular an understanding of the Child Friendly City agenda and ethos.
• Knowledge of the wider council operating context.
• Knowledge of council financial regulations and processes and their application to managing a team.
• Knowledge of Council HR policies and their application to managing a team.
• Demonstrates an effective understanding of the Council values and actively promotes them through their behaviours.
• Knowledge of project management and its application to running commercial activity
• Understanding of the council's political context.
• An understanding of the pressures facing public services in their drive to improve outcomes and
• service delivery and how this fits within a city context.
• Understanding of a Manager's corporate responsibilities (e.g. Health and Safety).
Experience Required
• Significant experience of using interpersonal skills and techniques to build highly effective relationships that produce the desired outcomes.
• Experience of building business relationships with a view to developing trading opportunities and achieving income targets
• Experience in managing and contributing to delivery within complex environments involving
• various stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
• Experience of working confidently with senior leaders and partners.
• Experience of managing and motivating teams and individuals.
• Experience of writing reports, carrying out presentations and communicating at all levels, adapting style as appropriate to ensure engagement by others.
• Experience in managing competing priorities and risks and adapting to changing circumstances
• and priorities.
• Experience of ensuring positive compliance with decision making processes and delivery.
• Experience in challenging existing ways of working and driving through change.
  
  a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further