We are hiring - Temporary Strategic Change Management Specialist

The Local Government landscape is changing.  With the introduction of new Unitary Councils in Suffolk, it is already clear that the current third-tier councils will have to change and expand their operational scope.  Public Service provision and asset management are just two of the areas which will potentially devolve to Town Councils. Woodbridge Town Council is therefore seeking to employ a temporary Strategic Change Management Specialist.  Reporting to the Town Council, and working alongside the current management team, the successful candidate will have wide experience, gained from the private or public sector. 

The role will be part-time (consultancy) with working hours and pay commensurate to the role and to be mutually agreed. 

Purpose

• Advise on clear strategic direction aligned to the Council’s mission.
• Lead complex change management in an evolving civic context.
• Strengthen project delivery, governance and stakeholder relationships across the council.
• Support and mentor officers of the council.

Key responsibilities will include

• advising the Council on its future strategic direction and opportunities,
• advising on options available to the council, risks involved and mitigation options.
• Developing a strategy to manage effectively relationships with external stakeholders

1. Strategic Planning & Vision

• Working with Councillors and the Town Council management team to develop coherent long-term goals of the Council, including a phased road map for the next three years
• Anticipating sector changes and guiding the Council to set its direction through changing times.
• Developing a strategic engagement plan for the Council.
• Mapping and reviewing how the Council’s budget and resources are being deployed and identifying future trends

2. Leadership & Team Building

• Ensuring the operational team is adequately staffed and resourced.
• Mentoring & developing key staff
• Facilitating joint delivery sessions to agree on shared priorities with Councillors and The Town Council Management Team

3. Stakeholder & Public Relations

• Along with the Chair of Council, initially acting as a primary spokesperson for media, external associations, and the public.
• Representing the council to principal authorities and key external stakeholders.
• Developing the skills of other staff in this area.

4. Major Project Delivery

• Reviewing the Council’s risks maps and making recommendations to Council as appropriate.
• Work alongside the Town Clerk in guiding major projects, ensuring adherence to timescales and budget.
• Developing a three year forward budget for the Council to ensure realistic delivery pathways.

Qualifications and experience

A degree and/or equivalent experience in a comparable role is essential. A project or programme management qualification, such as PRINCE2, APM PMQ or MSP, would be an advantage. Experience of project delivery in local government, strategic planning, operating model change, or service or process redesign would also be beneficial.

• strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret data, assess impacts, and support evidence-based decision-making.
• excellent communication skills to create clear messages, deliver presentations, and support effective dialogue with diverse audiences.
• business transformation experience, including familiarity with process improvement, organizational change, and project delivery in a complex environment.
• training skills to design and deliver sessions, support learning, and build capability for new systems and processes.
• stakeholder management skills to build relationships, manage expectations, and encourage engagement and ownership of change.
• relevant experience in public sector, local government, or organizational change roles is highly beneficial.
• strong planning, time management, and problem-solving abilities, with attention to detail and follow-through.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact the Town Clerk, Mr G E Diaper via email or 01394 383599 (option 4). 

The closing date for CV's to returned is Monday 14th September at 5pm.