Hays
Head of Cabinet Office
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Location: Birmingham (Hybrid Working Available)
Contract: Interim, Initial 6 Months
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Cabinet Office to join a large and ambitious local authority on an interim basis. This is a high-profile leadership role providing strategic support to the Council Leader and Cabinet, driving policy development, organisational priorities, and effective governance across the authority.
The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping and delivering the administration's strategic vision, ensuring the Cabinet Office provides exceptional support to elected members and facilitates effective decision-making at the highest level.
About the Role
As Head of Cabinet Office, you will work closely with the Leader, Cabinet Members, Corporate Leadership Team, and senior officers to develop policy, coordinate priorities, and promote the Council's agenda both locally and nationally. You will be responsible for ensuring the Cabinet is supported by robust governance processes, innovative policy thinking, effective stakeholder engagement, and high-quality strategic advice.
Key Responsibilities
- Advise and support the Leader and Cabinet in reviewing, developing, and delivering strategic priorities and key initiatives.
- Research emerging policy trends, innovations, and best practice to inform decision-making and future policy development.
- Lead policy development, research, and engagement activities to support the Council's long-term ambitions and priorities.
- Provide constructive challenge and fresh thinking to drive innovation and improve public service outcomes.
- Act as a key advocate for the Leader and Cabinet across a range of stakeholder groups.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with central government, regional partners, community organisations, businesses, and other key stakeholders.
- Ensure the Cabinet Office delivers high-quality support to the Leader and Cabinet, enabling effective leadership and governance.
- Act as the primary liaison between Cabinet Members, Corporate Leadership Team, departmental management teams, and governance functions.
- Coordinate Cabinet and Cabinet Member work programmes, ensuring alignment with wider organisational priorities.
- Manage Cabinet Office staff and resources within the remit of the role.
- Maintain strategic oversight of the Leader's diary, ensuring priorities are managed effectively.
- Promote collaborative and cross-portfolio working across Cabinet portfolios.
- Support effective engagement between the Cabinet Office, scrutiny functions, governance teams, and wider strategy teams.
- Lead on the development and training of Cabinet Members where required.
- Monitor political, organisational, and external developments, ensuring senior leaders are briefed on emerging opportunities, risks, and sensitive issues.
- Represent the Council at regional and national events, conferences, and stakeholder forums.
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About You
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We are seeking a politically astute and highly credible leader with significant experience operating at a senior strategic level within local government, public sector organisations, or similarly complex environments.
You will be able to demonstrate:
- Significant experience supporting senior political leaders, elected members, or executive leadership teams.
- Strong understanding of local government governance, policy development, and decision-making processes.
- Experience leading strategic programmes, policy development, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
- Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills.
- Strong leadership and people management experience.
- Ability to operate effectively in a highly visible and politically sensitive environment.
- Outstanding communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
- Experience working across organisational boundaries to deliver strategic outcomes.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced local government leader, policy specialist, or senior strategic professional looking to make a significant impact within a large and complex local authority. We'd love to hear from you!
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