Why Southwark?

Join us at a pivotal moment. We are building a new Transformation & Insight Hub – bringing together Data & Insight, Strategy & Policy, and Change & Transformation into one integrated team. These are not separate silos. They work together to shape what we do, why it matters, and how we deliver real impact for residents.

Data & Insight helps us understand what matters
Strategy & Policy define what good looks like
Transformation & Change deliver how it happens

This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role in that journey. The role offers the chance to shape how a new, integrated function works in practice, influencing how we prioritise, design and deliver change across the council.

You will be part of a collaborative, ambitious team, working at the heart of major transformation and policy agendas, with real impact on people’s lives.

About Southwark:

Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues such as The Shard, The Tate Modern and Borough Market along with many social enterprises and we have a young, diverse, and growing population.

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities.

Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.

We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian, and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

The role

As Senior Strategy Lead, you will lead the development of ambitious, evidence-led strategies that shape the department’s future and Southwark’s respond to national and local policy changes.

You will be central to defining and delivering some of our most important transformation programmes, helping us tackle complex challenges and improve outcomes for residents.

What you'll be doing:

Leading major cross‑cutting strategies across the Department
Shaping and delivering priority programmes, including the Crisis and Resilience Fund over the next three years
Reviewing and strengthening our Council Tax Reduction Scheme to ensure it continues to support those who need it most
Providing clear, high-quality advice and insight to senior leaders and Members
Line manage a team of strategy leads while working closely across the wider Hub, drawing on expertise in data, policy and transformation to deliver real change.

What we're looking for:

A strategic and politically aware leader with significant experience of developing and delivering cross-cutting strategies within a complex public sector environment. Passionate about improving outcomes for residents, you'll be skilled at turning insight into action, building influential relationships, and shaping ambitious strategies that make a real impact.

Extensive knowledge of strategy development, public policy, and the local government landscape.
Experience of working with senior leaders, elected Members, and other high-profile stakeholders to shape strategic priorities.
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex information and translate it into clear, compelling recommendations.
A proven track record of producing high-quality reports, briefings, presentations, and other outputs for senior audiences.
Experience of co-production, resident engagement, and developing evidence-led strategies and policy proposals.
Excellent collaboration and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective partnerships across services, organisations, and communities.
Outstanding written and presentation skills, with the confidence to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
A creative, future-focused approach, combined with strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Additional details

This role is fixed term for 3 years. Any internal employees are encouraged to seek agreement from their substantive line manager if considering this is as a secondment opportunity

Full time, 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday. This role offers a flexible hybrid working arrangement, with time split between working from home and our Tooley Street offices.

Salary range: £54,360 - £61,686 per annum.

Employee benefits:

You’ll join a motivated, driven, and supportive team that values each of its members and strives for excellence. You’ll also be part of a successful, high-achieving development team making a real difference to the lives of residents across the borough. In return for all your hard work, skills and experience, you will receive:

A competitive base salary (pro rata for part time staff)
Strong supportive senior management team
Regular one to one supervision
Professional development & training opportunities
Clear career development pathways
Agile and flexible working arrangements
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Season ticket and cycle loans
Annual Leave starting at 29 days per year, increasing to 37 (with length of service) (pro rata for part time staff)
Wellbeing programme
HSF Health plan and eye care scheme
EAP employee assistance programme, confidential counselling and support
Social clubs and staff groups

Disability Confident (guaranteed interview) scheme:

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.

Recruitment timetable

Closing date: Sunday 21 June 2026 at 23:59*

*We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role, in which case we will move the key dates for the process. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Interview date: week commencing 29th June 2026

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Attachments

Click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification