Job summary North Yorkshire Council is seeking an experienced and visionary Corporate Strategy and Performance Lead to drive and oversee performance management across Childrens and Young Peoples Services. This is an exciting opportunity to join a supportive, forward-thinking team, working in one of the most beautiful and diverse counties in the UK. As Corporate Strategy and Performance Lead, you will play a pivotal role in improving the lives of children and families, and you will be supported by a collaborative team that is committed to making a real difference. Main duties of the job Based within the central Strategy and Performance service, you will lead a team to oversee the performance framework for the Children and Young People Services directorate, delivering evidence-based recommendations to senior leadership. You will play a crucial role in supporting the identification and delivery of a wide range of initiatives designed to improve the lives of children, young people, and their families in North Yorkshire. You will also work alongside Corporate Leads for other directorates to support a clear corporate performance picture and drive consistency and development of the strategy and performance capabilities across the council. You will bring in-depth knowledge of the legislative and policy context for childrens services and a history in delivering outcomes-based effective quality assurance and performance management, working closely with senior managers, stakeholders, partners and Elected Members.You will possess excellent analytical skills as well as the ability to lead successful projects and change programmes. This leadership role offers a unique opportunity to influence the direction of services for children and young people across the county, helping our services to develop and deliver the best possible outcomes. About us We offer a competitive salary, hybrid and flexible working arrangements, and generous annual leave allowance of up to 34 days. In addition, we offer a range of staff benefits such as Performance Related Pay, interest-free travel season ticket loan, membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, childcare vouchers, green car scheme, discounts at many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments. A wide range of developmental opportunities are also offered. Date posted 17 April 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £49,764 to £53,817 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number F0025-25-0034 Job locations County Hall Racecourse Lane Northallerton North Yorkshire DL7 8AE Job description Job responsibilities The core focus of this job is to lead delivery of a portfolio of services to support a range of clients (internal and external through partnerships and/or commercial arrangements). Services to specific clients will be subject to individual requirements reflecting the different needs of different organisations. Strategic Management: Lead the service in devising and implementing of strategies and service plan to ensure consistent, high quality and effective delivery of the service. Ensures the promotion of the plan to all stakeholders Personally and through team members deliver the targets set down in the service and team plans, monitoring and addressing under performance. To contribute to determining strategy, setting objectives and targets and to the development of policies across the operational remit of the service and the Directorate, and, working with the line manager, to be accountable for service strategy. Lead in the development of new ways of working that maximise efficiency and effectiveness. Operational management: To review and propose changes to structures, procedures and working methods that will improve the efficient use of resources and the effectiveness of service delivery to communities and targeted groups. To advise the wider service on relevant changing legislation, professional standards and their implementation. Maximise commercialisation of services provided. To develop, support and promote a strong results driven and customer focused performance culture ensuring the provision of cost-effective, efficient, high quality services in line with identified needs. To lead specific programmes as part of the Councils change and transformation programme. Communications: Influence and liaise with lead business partners as required to ensure that strategic planning and implementation of plans is carried out consistently and effectively. Promote the Councils priorities, policies and Corporate Plan and positively promote the service with local and national media. Work closely with officers / professional staff in understanding / improving the customer journey across a range of NYC services. Manage challenging situations effectively and pro-actively to improve the performance of staff and/or volunteers by maintaining communication with staff and providing the appropriate support and guidance. Represent the service at appropriate inter and intra agency meetings, promoting, liaising, consulting and engaging with managers, staff, people who use our services and their carers and other stakeholders in challenging situations Respond to media enquiries as requested and appraise your manager of any matters arising which are particularly sensitive or controversial in nature. Deliver presentations in order to develop effective service delivery and good stakeholder relationships. Inform and analyse national and local policy change and communicate implications to senior operational managers and frontline staff as appropriate. Partnership / Corporate Working: Work with a range of partners/agencies, both internal and external, to develop and maintain co-operative relationships. When implementing service delivery change ensure activities are aligned, where appropriate, with other changes taking place corporately and across Directorates, including working with colleagues in HR, ICT, Finance, Communications, Legal Services and other functions where required Represent the service at policy, operational and co-ordination forums with external agencies and Council Directorates when required. Resource Management: Be responsible for resources in respect of allocated budgets within the Councils scheme of delegation of financial responsibility. To oversee the service in such a way as to protect its financial and operational viability by maintaining current levels and securing additional business to maximise income generation. Prioritise and allocate staffing to support managers in discharging their responsibilities for meeting the needs of the service. To give leadership, management and direction to staff of the service through the establishment and promotion of service and individual objectives, service performance plans, priority setting, reviews and performance appraisal. To develop and maintain an innovative and responsive approach to the management of resources having regard to the need for economy, efficiency and effectiveness. Carry out people management issues such as recruitment, development, and absence management, setting targets, providing feedback on performance and effectively addressing development and learning issues. Support the delivery of corporate initiatives in delivering transformational change, through effective modelling of positive behaviours and delivering innovative solutions to service delivery and development. Systems and information: Ensure that systems and processes to support the service are consistent with the Council standards and procedures. Produce written reports as required including evaluation and impact statements for distribution service wide and to partners. Use relevant IT systems and tools to support the management, delivery and development of services, ensuring records are accurate and current. Ensure government guidance and legislation are interpreted appropriately and are adhered to in a manner consistent with good practice. Safeguarding: To be committed to safeguarding and promote the welfare of children, young people and adults, raising concerns as appropriate. Job description Job responsibilities The core focus of this job is to lead delivery of a portfolio of services to support a range of clients (internal and external through partnerships and/or commercial arrangements). Services to specific clients will be subject to individual requirements reflecting the different needs of different organisations. Strategic Management: Lead the service in devising and implementing of strategies and service plan to ensure consistent, high quality and effective delivery of the service. Ensures the promotion of the plan to all stakeholders Personally and through team members deliver the targets set down in the service and team plans, monitoring and addressing under performance. To contribute to determining strategy, setting objectives and targets and to the development of policies across the operational remit of the service and the Directorate, and, working with the line manager, to be accountable for service strategy. Lead in the development of new ways of working that maximise efficiency and effectiveness. Operational management: To review and propose changes to structures, procedures and working methods that will improve the efficient use of resources and the effectiveness of service delivery to communities and targeted groups. To advise the wider service on relevant changing legislation, professional standards and their implementation. Maximise commercialisation of services provided. To develop, support and promote a strong results driven and customer focused performance culture ensuring the provision of cost-effective, efficient, high quality services in line with identified needs. To lead specific programmes as part of the Councils change and transformation programme. Communications: Influence and liaise with lead business partners as required to ensure that strategic planning and implementation of plans is carried out consistently and effectively. Promote the Councils priorities, policies and Corporate Plan and positively promote the service with local and national media. Work closely with officers / professional staff in understanding / improving the customer journey across a range of NYC services. Manage challenging situations effectively and pro-actively to improve the performance of staff and/or volunteers by maintaining communication with staff and providing the appropriate support and guidance. Represent the service at appropriate inter and intra agency meetings, promoting, liaising, consulting and engaging with managers, staff, people who use our services and their carers and other stakeholders in challenging situations Respond to media enquiries as requested and appraise your manager of any matters arising which are particularly sensitive or controversial in nature. Deliver presentations in order to develop effective service delivery and good stakeholder relationships. Inform and analyse national and local policy change and communicate implications to senior operational managers and frontline staff as appropriate. Partnership / Corporate Working: Work with a range of partners/agencies, both internal and external, to develop and maintain co-operative relationships. When implementing service delivery change ensure activities are aligned, where appropriate, with other changes taking place corporately and across Directorates, including working with colleagues in HR, ICT, Finance, Communications, Legal Services and other functions where required Represent the service at policy, operational and co-ordination forums with external agencies and Council Directorates when required. Resource Management: Be responsible for resources in respect of allocated budgets within the Councils scheme of delegation of financial responsibility. To oversee the service in such a way as to protect its financial and operational viability by maintaining current levels and securing additional business to maximise income generation. Prioritise and allocate staffing to support managers in discharging their responsibilities for meeting the needs of the service. To give leadership, management and direction to staff of the service through the establishment and promotion of service and individual objectives, service performance plans, priority setting, reviews and performance appraisal. To develop and maintain an innovative and responsive approach to the management of resources having regard to the need for economy, efficiency and effectiveness. Carry out people management issues such as recruitment, development, and absence management, setting targets, providing feedback on performance and effectively addressing development and learning issues. Support the delivery of corporate initiatives in delivering transformational change, through effective modelling of positive behaviours and delivering innovative solutions to service delivery and development. Systems and information: Ensure that systems and processes to support the service are consistent with the Council standards and procedures. Produce written reports as required including evaluation and impact statements for distribution service wide and to partners. Use relevant IT systems and tools to support the management, delivery and development of services, ensuring records are accurate and current. Ensure government guidance and legislation are interpreted appropriately and are adhered to in a manner consistent with good practice. Safeguarding: To be committed to safeguarding and promote the welfare of children, young people and adults, raising concerns as appropriate. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Professionally qualified to degree level in a relevant specialism or equivalent A management or post graduate qualification Other Requirements Ability to work flexibly to meet the demands of the job including some out of hours working Committed to the County Councils corporate vision, values and objectives Ability to travel around the whole of the County and occasionally beyond Highly motivated and not easily discouraged Personal and professional demeanour and credibility which commands the confidence of elected members, senior managers, staff, external partners and other stakeholders A high degree of probity and integrity Evidence of professional updating and development Experience Essential Significant knowledge of current policy developments, legislation and good practice standards both at local and national level in relation to one or more key areas of the councils work Significant knowledge of performance management, evaluation tools and methodologies Significant knowledge of statutory requirements and good practice standards regarding strategy development, equality, consultation and engagement Knowledge of effective management of staff and resources Extensive experience of strategic planning, policy development and implementation, and performance management Experience of developing and implementing organisational culture change within a large diverse organisation Successful management of staff Experience of responding to media enquiries. Occupational Skills Essential Effective leadership skills and the ability to promote organisational policy and objectives to support change management of diverse operational functions to deliver strategic objectives. Ability to contribute to the planning of resources for the whole council and to understand where specific programmes need to collaborate to drive change. Ability to develop and maintain effective partnerships both within and outside the council Ability to negotiate and influence at a senior level with council chief officers and senior politicians. Ability to demonstrate drive and initiative to achieve outcomes Enterprise skills including ability to develop and sustain effective income generation, drive business cases and create viable business models for public benefit. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Professionally qualified to degree level in a relevant specialism or equivalent A management or post graduate qualification Other Requirements Ability to work flexibly to meet the demands of the job including some out of hours working Committed to the County Councils corporate vision, values and objectives Ability to travel around the whole of the County and occasionally beyond Highly motivated and not easily discouraged Personal and professional demeanour and credibility which commands the confidence of elected members, senior managers, staff, external partners and other stakeholders A high degree of probity and integrity Evidence of professional updating and development Experience Essential Significant knowledge of current policy developments, legislation and good practice standards both at local and national level in relation to one or more key areas of the councils work Significant knowledge of performance management, evaluation tools and methodologies Significant knowledge of statutory requirements and good practice standards regarding strategy development, equality, consultation and engagement Knowledge of effective management of staff and resources Extensive experience of strategic planning, policy development and implementation, and performance management Experience of developing and implementing organisational culture change within a large diverse organisation Successful management of staff Experience of responding to media enquiries. Occupational Skills Essential Effective leadership skills and the ability to promote organisational policy and objectives to support change management of diverse operational functions to deliver strategic objectives. Ability to contribute to the planning of resources for the whole council and to understand where specific programmes need to collaborate to drive change. Ability to develop and maintain effective partnerships both within and outside the council Ability to negotiate and influence at a senior level with council chief officers and senior politicians. Ability to demonstrate drive and initiative to achieve outcomes Enterprise skills including ability to develop and sustain effective income generation, drive business cases and create viable business models for public benefit. Employer details Employer name North Yorkshire Council Address County Hall Racecourse Lane Northallerton North Yorkshire DL7 8AE Employer's website https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)