Head of Secretariat

This is a unique opportunity for a motivated and experienced leader with experience gained in a public policy area, strong delivery drive, political sensitivity, and a passion for community-led change to join our dedicated team.

You will play a critical, leading role in our organisation providing exceptional support to the Chair and Commissioners and leading a dynamic team to achieve impactful outcomes.

So, if you are ready to help shape the future of neighbourhood policy in the UK, read on and apply today!

The Role

As a Head of Secretariat, you will lead the team that will provide the independent secretariat to the new Commission on Neighbourhoods.

You will develop and manage the evidence-focused approach, oversee the gathering and summarising of evidence, and organise stakeholder and launch events.

Engaging with key stakeholders in Whitehall, local government, and beyond, you will ensure the Commission's work is impactful and well-received.

Additionally, you will:

- Co-ordinate Commission meetings and manage relationships with stakeholders
- Draft Commission outputs
- Run an 'expert by experience' advisory group
- Organise and deliver evidence sessions, roundtables, and hearings

To be considered as a Head of Secretariat, you will need:

- Experience working on public policy in a relevant area
- Experience managing a delivery-focused team
- Demonstrable experience managing press and media relationships
- The ability to exercise political sensitivity and build strong relationships of trust
- Excellent writing, analytical, and verbal presentation skills
- A degree-level education or equivalent

Local Trust was established in 2012 to deliver Big Local, a National Lottery Community Fund programme which committed £1million each to 150 areas across England. We believe there is a need to put more power, resources, and decision making into the hands of communities. We do this by trusting local people.

The Big Local programme demonstrates the value of long-term, unconditional, resident-led funding through supporting local communities to make their areas better places to live. We commit our funds at the outset, and then support local residents to develop their own plans to spend the funding in ways that they collectively agree will improve their local area and the lives of those living there. We draw on the learning from our work to promote a wider transformation in the way policy-makers, funders, and others engage with communities and places.

The Commission on Neighbourhoods is an initiative that will rigorously examine the role of neighbourhoods in people's lives and provide policy recommendations for the government, focusing on improving the most deprived neighbourhoods and the prospects of their residents.

We are now looking for a Head of Secretariat to join us on a full-time basis for an 18-month fixed-term contract, working 36 hours per week., Webrecruit and Local Trust are equal opportunities employers, value diversity, and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business, and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.

So, if you want to contribute to our mission as a Head of Secretariat, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.

Salary of £64,000 - £67,000 depending on experience (pro rata)
- 25 days' annual leave (pro rata) plus public holidays, with three additional days for office closure between Christmas and New Year
- Salary exchange pension plan with a 10% employer contribution
- Excellent development opportunities
- Time off for volunteering (two days per annum)
- Interest-free travel season ticket loan