Assistant Chief Executive, Strategy & Communities

Description

Southwark is at the heart of London’s success, known across the world for its physical landmarks but powered by its extraordinary people.

We have much to be proud of and every reason to be ambitious about the future. Our recently agreed 2030 Strategy unites partners around a vision that together, we will build a fair green and safe Southwark where everyone can live a good life as part of a strong community.

To deliver our shared vision, we will need to unleash the collective talents of residents, communities, organisations and businesses for the good of everyone who calls Southwark home.

This senior leadership role will be pivotal in driving our Southwark 2030 vision, ensuring our core principles and the needs of our residents remain central to everything we do.

Assistant Chief Executive, Strategy & Communities | up to £171,456 pa +£5,066 Additional Cash Benefit

The Assistant Chief Executive for Strategy & Communities sits at the heart of the council’s corporate management team, who are instrumental in driving forward Southwark’s 2030 vision. Working closely with the Chief Executive, elected members, senior officers, and external stakeholders, the role takes responsibility for ensuring our long-term strategies reflect the needs of our diverse and growing borough.

Providing strategic leadership across a range of corporate services, you will have the opportunity to influence and shape policies, lead critical transformation programmes, and collaborate with our residents, businesses, and partners to achieve the best possible outcomes for the borough.

A key focus of the role involves embedding innovation and best practice across the council, supporting the effective delivery of Southwark’s core priorities. Ensuring financial sustainability and accountability, you will offer expert advice to guide evidence-based decision making, representing Southwark’s interests, and advocating for our communities, at local, regional, and national levels.

We are looking for a leader who can see the bigger picture while staying focused on delivering operational excellence, leveraging Southwark’s strengths to deliver high-impact, sustainable outcomes. With a proven track record in delivering strategies and transformation programmes at scale, your strategic thinking, political acumen, and financial oversight will be matched by your ability to inspire, influence, and collaborate across a range of stakeholders.

The role requires not just a commitment to public services, but a passion for shaping communities. You will have a deep understanding of the challenges facing local government, bringing innovative approaches to overcome them. As a natural leader, you will exemplify the values of integrity, inclusivity, and transparency which are core to Southwark’s ethos.

If you are ready to take on one of the most impactful leadership roles in London local government, we want to hear from you. Join us and help shape the future of Southwark.

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Further info

For more information about this role, please go to https://join-southwark.co.uk/. For a confidential discussion about your suitability, please contact our recruitment partners at GatenbySanderson: Ben Parsonage (07530 578 921), Frazer Thouard (07384 810 743), or Marnie Lodhi (07795 654 812).

At Southwark, we believe in creating opportunities for everyone. As part of our ongoing commitment to building an inclusive and supportive workplace, we offer a Guaranteed Interview scheme for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. If you meet the essential criteria for the role and identify with any of the following groups, you will qualify for the Guaranteed Interview Scheme:

• Current or former member of the armed forces
• Someone who is, or has previously been in care
• A person with a disability or long-term health condition

We value the unique perspectives and experiences you bring and are dedicated to ensuring that -your potential is recognised.