Description
As a council, we are successful, passionate and forward-thinking. We are committed to tackling injustice and inequalities and rebuilding our local economy, ensuring that our residents and businesses are at the heart of everything we do.
We're offering an exciting opportunity to join the Leader's Office and Executive Office at the heart of decision-making in Southwark Council as our Executive External Affairs Manager.
This is a unique role that combines political insight, strategic leadership and external engagement. Working closely with the Leader of the Council, Executive Members and senior officers, you will play a central role in supporting the Council's political leadership while helping to strengthen Southwark's influence regionally and nationally.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and inspire a dedicated team providing strategic and operational support to the Leader and Executive Members.
- Influence and connect: help deliver the Council's influencing and stakeholder engagement strategies, building strong relationships with regional and national partners, government bodies and key political stakeholders.
- Drive strategic delivery: ensure Executive Members receive high-quality advice, briefings and support to help them deliver their priorities and make informed decisions.
- Represent and collaborate: build effective relationships across council departments, ensuring political priorities are understood and reflected in policy development, service delivery and decision-making.
- Coordinate and organise: oversee complex programmes of meetings, visits, events and communications, ensuring Executive Members can operate effectively in a fast-paced and high-profile environment.
Requirements:
- Strong leadership and people management skills, with experience leading high-performing teams.
- Significant experience supporting senior leaders at a strategic level within a complex organisation.
- A sound understanding of local government, political environments and the challenges facing councils today.
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines.
- Outstanding relationship-building skills and the confidence to engage with senior stakeholders, elected members, government representatives and partners.
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach, with the ability to navigate sensitive situations with discretion, professionalism and sound judgement.
- Experience coordinating work across multiple stakeholders and translating strategic priorities into tangible outcomes.
- A commitment to public service and a passion for improving outcomes for Southwark's residents and communities.