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Job Opportunity: Assistant Director - Performance & Policy

Location: Exeter / Hybrid Working

Salary: up-to-£500 per day
Contract: Interim

About the Role

Our client is seeking a senior strategic leader to drive performance, data, and policy across the organisation. This high-profile role will influence national, regional, and local policy, oversee critical intelligence and performance frameworks, and manage key partnerships that shape service delivery for the people of the region.

As Assistant Director - Performance & Policy, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring evidence-based decision-making, improving service impact, and responding to national policy changes. You'll also act as Deputy to the Director of Performance and Partnerships when required.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the Council's Corporate Performance Framework - aligning service delivery, improvement, financial performance, and risk management.
Oversee data, intelligence, and policy functions - ensuring high-quality reporting, strategic planning, and GDPR compliance.
Develop and manage strategic plans - including the Council's Strategic Plan, Corporate Plan, and Annual Performance Report.
Drive engagement with national, regional, and local partners - influencing policy and decision-making at all levels.
Lead high-profile corporate projects - supporting key statutory services (education, adult and children's social care, finance).
Manage budgets - overseeing £2 million in revenue, plus additional partnership and capital investment funding.
Lead and develop a team of approximately 70 staff - inspiring performance and innovation.

What We're Looking For

Senior leadership experience in performance, data, and policy strategy.
Proven ability to manage complex, multi-disciplinary services with a strategic and analytical approach.
Political awareness and exceptional communication skills - able to influence senior leaders, elected members, MPs, and external stakeholders.
Commercial awareness and financial management expertise, with experience handling multi-million-pound budgets.
Resilience, adaptability, and emotional intelligence to lead in a dynamic and evolving environment.

Why Join Us?

Influence at the highest level - working closely with senior leaders, elected members, and national policymakers.
Impact - shaping services that directly improve lives.
A strategic, high-profile leadership role - at the heart of local government decision-making.
Hybrid working in Exeter - with flexibility to balance office and remote work.
Opportunity for innovation - leading a team that drives change and delivers measurable impact.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now and be part of a forward-thinking council committed to delivering excellence.

For more information or to apply, contact