Head of Communities
Job specification
We want our town to be the best it can be. Our ambitious vision in the new Swindon Plan is supported by realistic transformation programmes, with the people of Swindon at their heart. Because that’s who we’re doing it for – the communities and businesses that make our town great. As part of the Council, you’ll support a friendly local authority making decisions with real impact. It’s all for better public services. Better processes. And a better quality of life, for everyone. Join us, and Swindon will be better with you.
If you see things through a community’s lens, have both strategic vision and operational insight, you could be a perfect fit for our new Head of Service role.
The Council’s new Prevention and Communities Directorate is looking for an innovative and inspiring Head of Communities to transform the way we work with local people; improving access to the right support, at the right time and in the right place.
Responsible for development and delivery of three key services; Library and Information Service, Live Well Swindon and Community Safety, you will embed a culture of integration and collaboration which puts people and communities at the heart of everything we do.
Your next role
On a day-to-day basis, you will be working alongside a diverse range of external partners from the statutory, business and community sector; ensuring work is joined up and services meet the needs of the local population. Internally, you will be accountable for the delivery of service provision; working alongside your Service Leads to ensure services are integrated, are fit for purpose and demonstrate good value for money. You will play a leading role in the delivery of the Fairer Swindon mission of the Swindon Plan.
You will be the lead officer for the implementation of Integrated Community Hubs and the Strategic Lead for the Community Safety Partnership. You will lead the Council’s community engagement model; ensuring communities have a voice and are involved in civic life. Prevention and early help are at the heart of this role; creating a culture where people feel able to support themselves and each other, without the need for statutory intervention.
We are looking for someone who has the right behaviours to drive forward a new service area; bringing teams and individuals with them, on a transformation journey; playing to individuals’ strengths and recognising diversity.
We are looking for someone who has extensive experience operating at a senior level in Communities, Public Health, Community Safety or similar. Qualifications in these fields are desirable.
You must be fluent in the English language (as a requirement of Part 7 of the Immigration Act “for the effective performance of a customer-facing role”).
Your next package
Please see our Rewards and Benefits offer for more details.
As an employee, you will receive a diverse and exciting environment in which to work, encouraging creativity and innovation whilst recognising the need to support ongoing personal development and a flexible work life balance.
For Swindon to thrive in the future, we need to lay the foundations now. It’s why our regeneration and transformation programmes are already underway. So, you’ll be joining us at an exciting time on our journey. We’ll look to you to share your knowledge, influence decisions and drive real, positive change. With your contributions, we’ll achieve our vision of a prosperous, re-vitalised Swindon together. And you’ll be proud to say it was made better with you.
Please see our Vision and Values page for more details and our new Swindon Plan.
Potential applicants are sometimes put off if they don’t meet 100% of the requirements. We think individual experience, skills and passion make all the difference, so if you meet the majority of the criteria, we’d love to hear from you.
Your next steps
Read the role profile and select the Apply button where you will be redirected to the Swindon Borough Council website to complete our online application process. Clicking the ‘Apply’ button on this job website is not an application, you must register on the Swindon Borough Council website in order to be considered for the role.
For further information about the role please contact Helena Robinson, Director of Integrated Communities & Partnerships, at HRobinson@swindon.gov.uk
As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from a diverse range of communities, and in particular disabled people and people from ethnic minorities. Read our statement of commitment to equality & inclusion.
If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your application please email resourcing@swindon.gov.uk