Policy, Performance and Projects Lead - Castle Point Borough Council

Overall, this role is responsible for ensuring the effective governance and performance of the organisation at the corporate level to support the development and delivery of high-quality services.,

• Strategic Planning: Developing and supporting corporate-level strategies and policies, including future trends and opportunities (horizon scanning).
• Performance Monitoring: Tracking and reporting on corporate performance, identifying areas for improvement.
• Performance Investigation: Supporting in-depth analysis of corporate-performance issues, as directed by the Cabinet and senior managers.
• Project Governance & Oversight: Ensuring effective project delivery, including managing project boards and providing support to service areas, as well as maintaining and managing project management tools and resources.
• Risk Management: Supporting corporate-level risk management processes and procedures.
Accountabilities
• Corporate-level strategy and policy development and support, including emerging policy research and horizon scanning
• Lead for corporate-level performance reporting, including Corporate Scorecard and other key performance reports for the organisation
• Coordinating deep dives into performance issues (e.g. as referred by Cabinet to O&S or where a performance issue is flagged through monitoring), working with the Data, Information and Research Lead to develop additional intelligence to support these deep dives
• Corporate business information system development, maintenance and training
• Maintaining central oversight of project delivery, including management of arrangements for Programme and Project Boards, or equivalent
• Providing support and challenge to service areas when developing new projects (Gold-level projects)
• Responsible for the project toolkit and workbook, including maintenance and training
• Supporting corporate risk management arrangements, including the Corporate Risk Register
• Supporting the Corporate Business Manager to ensure that effective business planning arrangements are in place and adhered to
• Supporting the Corporate Business Manager to ensure that effective governance arrangements are in place and adhered to
• Supporting the Corporate Business Manager to co-ordinate and manage any external corporate reviews and inspections from the Local Government Association, central government or associated agencies.
• Deputise for the Corporate Business Manager, when required
  
  Degree level qualification or equivalent by experience.
• An understanding and knowledge of Local Government including its financial, social and political context.
• Understanding of best practice in project management approaches.
• Knowledge of performance measurement and reporting techniques.
• Ability to think originally and creatively and to work as part of a team to provide innovative, effective and achievable solutions to complex, policy, organisational and procedural issues.
• Well-developed organisational and prioritisation skills, proven ability to take the initiative and identify and address changing and conflicting priorities whilst meeting tight deadlines.
• Skill in analysing complex data and information to identify trends and patterns.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely
• Proven ability to manage projects effectively, from initiation to completion.
• Experience in building and maintaining relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including councillors, senior leadership, staff, and external partners.
• Experience of business information systems, and the ability to develop, maintain, and train users.
• Experience in researching and briefing on emerging policy and horizon scanning.
• Experience in developing polices and strategies.
• Experience in using information systems and technology, including but not limited to the Microsoft Office suite, to support management of performance.
Castle Point Borough Council is proud to be a disability confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

Why Castle Point? Castle Point Borough Council is a statutory body responsible for employing nearly 350 staff, and delivering over 150 council services, both statutory and for the community's well-being and benefit. Castle Point Borough Council aims to provide high-quality and financially sustainable services while prioritising outstanding customer service, transparency in decision-making, and promoting local democracy. Additionally, the council seeks to transform, modernize, and improve its performance, as well as support and enable the communities within its jurisdiction to be strong, healthy, and thriving.