Job Description

Job Title: Head of Policy

Reporting toSolace Group Director

Role Overview

Work with the Solace Director to deliver and communicate priority work programmes to support, promote and improve local government, shaping national policy and practice on behalf of councils and Solace members, and representing Solace, its members and the sector.

Manage the day to day activities of the Solace policy team with the support and direction of the Director.

General Requirements

Post holders are expected to work collaboratively with colleagues within the Group, partner agencies and other organisations for the delivery of excellent integrated services for our customers.

All staff will be collaborative and flexible in their duties, modelling the Group's core values and standards in carrying out the job.

In addition, all employees will:

  • contribute to a co-ordinated approach to the development and overall direction of the Group and the delivery of its priorities.
  • act as an ambassador for the Solace Group and Solace in Business, promoting and developing the Group's image and opportunities in the interests of its membership, and stakeholders.
  • carry out any other duties (across the wider Group where appropriate and/or necessary) that are commensurate with the grade and falling within the general scope of the job.

Job Specific Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

  • To provide detailed policy advice and analysis in relation to all local government and related public policy areas
  • Deliver assigned projects and programmes within resource and budget allocations that deliver the Solace business plan and help the sector meet its challenges and priority outcomes.
  • Deliver clear and effective communications to Solace members and other key stakeholders to ensure Solace policy work is impactful and well understood
  • To work on the development of the Solace policy network and ensure Solace members are supported to advocate inside and outside the sector
  • Support the Solace Director in representing Solace with local government Members, officers, government officials, Ministers, Parliamentarians and other stakeholders at a national level
  • Develop networks and partnerships that are of value to Solace and work to maintain a positive reputation of Solace with our members, councils, central government, partners and other stakeholders.
  • Commission/undertake research and other intelligence gathering to inform and influences the policy agenda and ensure findings are shared across the Solace Group and its members
  • Prepare reports, policy papers and briefings on complex policy issues, and develop external briefings, publicity and marketing materials to support Solace activities
  • Work with those working on Solace events, leadership programmes, courses and organisational development to develop products that support improvement in local government and the development of Solace members
  • Participate as required in national and international events and conferences and seminars to promote and improvement knowledge of the policy and improvement agenda in local government
  • Maintain an up to date understanding of local government policy and improvement issues
  • Support the Solace Group Director in maintaining a culture of continuous improvement, underpinned by effective performance management and monitoring.
  • As directed by the Solace Group Director, commission resources to supplement the Solace core capacity following agreed procurement processes and within budget allocations.
  • Lead and work as part of a team, building a culture of collaborative team working to ensure that Solace meets its business objectives and responds effectively to new or changing requirements.
  • Model the Solace values and work in accordance with health and safety, equal opportunities and other policies.
  • Carrying out project work, attending conferences and briefing sessions and other activity related to the delivery and development of the Group’s services as required
  • To line manage staff responsible for the delivery of the Solace policy related work programme, promote team building and conduct staff appraisals.
  • Responsibility for day to day management of the budget and for meeting financial targets
  • Attending meetings on behalf of the Director as required

General

The Job Description is intended as a general guide and is not an inflexible specification. It may be altered from time to time as the post-holder, the Society and working practices develop, always in discussion with the post holder.

The post-holder is also expected to undertake any other duties commensurate with the level of the post and which can reasonably be expected to be within his/her capability.

Person Specification

Qualifications

  • Qualified to degree level in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience

Knowledge

  • Excellent knowledge of local and central government, their roles, structures and relationships
  • Excellentunderstanding of key government policies, their impact of different councils and the national policy and legislative process
  • Excellent understanding of the local government policy and improvement agenda
  • Understanding of the priorities and objectives of Solace and the external environment in which Solace operate and the key audiences it works with.

Experience

  • Experience of achievement in complex political environments, preferably in local or central government
  • Experience of clear and effective communications with a range of audiences
  • Experience of developing effective strategies, interventions and innovative solutions to complex policy and/or improvement issues
  • Experience of managing projects and programmes to time and budget
  • Experience of team working, with the ability to forge strong internal and external relationships.
  • Experience of negotiation and managing complex situations
  • Experience of working with stakeholders at a senior level
  • Experience of line management, staff supervision, motivation of staff and allocation of tasks and resources
  • Experience of setting up, managing and monitoring budgets.

Skills & Abilities

  • Political awareness and sensitivity to ensure credibility to Solace members, politicians, key stakeholders and staff
  • Agile and innovative in approach
  • Digitally creative with the ability to harness technology to improve Solace’s reach and impact
  • Excellent inter-personal, influencing, negotiating, problem-solving and communication skills
  • Good questioning and listening skills and ability to analyse and evaluate information and data.
  • Results orientated, with a track record of delivering on time together with the ability to drive and complete tasks to challenging deadlines and required quality standards.
  • An ability to balance working independently with the requirement to work effectively within teams to maximise efficiency.
  • Flexibility to take on additional responsibilities and new areas of work as required
  • Able to attend events and other off-site functions as required.

Solace Group1

Solace Head of Policy