Assistant Director Policy & Communications
Job introduction
Closing date: 10th January at 9am
Interview date: week commencing 17th January 2022
We are looking for an Assistant Director for the newly created Policy & Communications division. This exciting new role is at the heart of the council and will shape our future direction.
As Assistant Director you’ll have the crucial role of working with and supporting elected Members, Senior Officers, and partners in the city to help implement the council’s strategic vision of a “fairer city, a sustainable future”, underpinned by the priorities in our 2020-2023 Corporate Plan.
We’re looking for someone who:
• can build on the good work that has already taken place
• is passionate about improving for all the diverse stakeholders across Brighton & Hove
• is committed to working in partnership with others to achieve success
About the role
This is a key role on the Governance, People & Resources (GPR) Directorate Management Team and the council’s wider Leadership Network of senior managers, and you will be expected to work with the Leader, Lead Members, Chief Executive, Directors and others to ensure organisational leadership and development, and delivery of the council’s priorities in line with our fair and inclusive aims.
You will offer both support and challenge in your role, being comfortable operating at a senior level and experienced at fostering good relations with councillors and a diverse range of stakeholders.
The role reports to the newly created Executive Director of Governance, People & Resources and, on a day to day basis, you will lead on the strategic development, leadership and management of the Policy & Communications division in line with the council’s needs and resources.
You will be a keen strategist, able to identify, implement and advise on potential solutions to the varied internal and external challenges the council faces through effective policy and communications.
You will be an experienced political operator, able to manage relationships with multiple internal and external stakeholders and have experience of working collaboratively with trade unions.
You’ll be a leading advisor to elected Members on corporate policy and communications and support the council’s democratic decision-making process.
You’ll provide support to the council’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT), ensuring excellent partnership working and cross-directorate collaboration to deliver the council’s priorities.
To have a confidential conversation about the role, please contact Abraham Ghebre-Ghiorghis, Executive Lead Officer for Strategy, Governance & Law through their Executive Assistant, Trudy Haigh, Trudy.haigh@brighton-hove.gov.uk (01273 292086).
As part of your application, you will need to upload:
• A personal statement of not more than three sides of A4 outlining why you are interested in becoming Assistant Director, Policy and Communications at Brighton & Hove describing the skills and experience you would bring to the role, as aligned against the requirements
• Your current CV
Before you start your application, please read our guidance here CV guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk and Supporting statement guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk
Additional information
Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is less than 37 hours or term-time only.
Work Permits: We may be able to obtain a Work Permit for this post but this is subject to meeting the requirements of the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Points-based Immigration System. Please see Gov.uk for more information on the Skilled Worker Visa.
Company information
We welcome applications from all sections of the community but particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background as well as those who identify as disabled, LGB, male or trans as these groups are currently under-represented in our Directorate workforce.