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Job Details
Group Director – Core Business
Transform how Dudley Council operates. Lead the core that powers our borough.
Dudley is an ambitious, evolving council on a major improvement journey. We are looking for a visionary, values-led executive to join us as Group Director – Core Business, a newly defined strategic role at the heart of our transformation.
This is your opportunity to lead and modernise the essential services that underpin Dudley’s success—from finance and workforce to legal governance, technology and business process led transformation, assurance and customer experience. You will help design and deliver a council that is fit for the future - streamlined, efficient, transparent and focused on people.
THE VACANCY
Group Director – Core Business
Hours: Full time
Contract: Permanent
Salary:Up to £155,000 per annum plus benefits
Location: Dudley
About The Role
As a key member of the Corporate Management Team, you will hold corporate and statutory responsibilities across Dudley’s core business functions, including:
* Line management of s151 and Monitoring Officer
* Financial management and oversight
* Procurement, commissioning, revenues and benefits
* Transformation and innovation
* Technology, automation, data, insight and customer channel development
* Workforce, HR, OD and learning
* Legal, compliance, risk and audit
You will lead these major functions as one integrated group - connecting the dots across governance, technology, process, people and performance. You will oversee the Council Improvement Programme, ensuring strong governance, clear accountabilities, and effective performance management aligned to a new operating model.
Key Responsibilities
* Driving organisational transformation and a high-performance culture across all council services.
* Leading a major digital and business modernisation agenda - shifting towards automation, intelligence-led services, and value-for-money delivery.
* Championing good governance, ethical leadership and evidence-based decision-making across the council.
* Shaping and embedding a new financial strategy and operating model that ensures sustainability and innovation.
* Supporting Members, the Chief Executive and senior leaders with trusted, strategic advice on council-wide priorities.
* Building a joined-up corporate core that works across silos and supports service excellence.
* Leading with integrity and transparency, modelling the Nolan Principles of public life.
We Are Looking For a Leader Who Can
* Lead complex, multi-functional teams and systems at a senior level
* Drive modernisation and transformation using technology and data
* Ensure statutory compliance and high-quality governance
* Build inclusive, high-performing cultures across a large workforce
* Balance strategic vision with rigorous financial and performance discipline
* Inspire change through partnership, innovation and purpose
Why Dudley?
We are a vibrant and growing borough with a rich history and a bright future. This is more than a job - it’s your chance to lead lasting transformation, shape modern public services, and leave a legacy.
For an informal discussion about any of the roles please contact Balvinder Heran, Chief Executive via Jo Cook – Joanne.Cook@dudley.gov.uk
Indicative Dates For Recruitment Process
* Applications close: Thursday 19 June 2025
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to assessment centres and to attend final interviews. Please indicate any periods you are unavailable.
For more information about Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council and the vacancies have available please visit our dedicated microsite: www.dudleycounciljobs.org.uk
So that we can demonstrate Dudley’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and to improve bias in the recruitment process that could create barriers for candidates. Your personal data will be anonymised when you apply, to ensure that you comply with our anonymisation process, please ensure you have removed your name and date of birth from any attachments prior to uploading them to your application.
Online application forms will only be accepted for this vacancy, online facilities for jobs are available at public libraries within the Dudley Borough.
All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove their right to work in the UK.
Please note: Dudley MBC does not currently offer sponsorship for candidates without the Right to Work in the UK.
If you require support completing an online or paper application form and or interview techniques, please contact Dudley Adult and Community Learning on 01384 818 143 or acl@dudley.gov.uk who can support with Digital Skills and Job Applications.
If you have a disability and require assistance in making an application please contact the HR Resourcing Team via HR.Resourcing@dudley.gov.uk
If you are experiencing a problem whilst applying for a position, please follow the link below to the WM Jobs Help Page in the first instance https://help.wmjobs.co.uk/
If the WM Jobs Help Page does not resolve your issue then please contact the HR Resourcing Team via HR.Resourcing@dudley.gov.uk
Dudley Council will check the information that you have provided against any details already held for accuracy and completeness. The Council will check, share and cross match your information both internally within the council and with external organisations to protect public funds and prevent or detect crime, only where the law allows us to do so.
The Council’s full Privacy and Disclaimer Statement can be accessed on the website at https://www.dudley.gov.uk/privacy-disclaimer-statement/
N.B. We reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the advertised date should we receive a large number of applications
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About Dudley Council
It’s an incredibly exciting time to work in Dudley Council as we embark on numerous multi-million pound regeneration schemes which will be real game-changers for the borough. In addition to the exciting schemes such as the Midland Metro we also have the ongoing and very serious challenges of ensuring vulnerable people across the borough receive the services they deserve.
At Dudley Council we have a ‘one council’ ethos that builds an effective and dynamic organisation which grows the economy and creates jobs, creating a cleaner and greener place and supports stronger and safer communities.
We are rightly proud to be the historic capital of the Black Country and, working with our partners, Dudley Council is also committed to looking forward and helping to deliver our borough vision of ‘Forge a Future for all’ www.dudleyboroughvision2030.org.uk
We ensure communities influence council decisions and are committed to delivering services in partnership with communities. We provide flexible and responsive service in partnership and help communities help themselves.
In joining a local authority that serves 320,000 residents you will become an integral part of a council that:
* is ready to embrace change, providing an environment in which you will be encouraged to make your mark
* is aware of its key challenges and the need for a new energy to innovate the council, in order to find cost effective ways of delivering services
* has aligned its political and managerial leadership structures and is committed to protecting, securing and transforming the lives of children, families, the vulnerable and older people
* wants borough residents to have their say through our community forums
* dedicates time to meaningful consultation and listen to the views of our residents
* is working with the community to encourage active involvement of our residents
We want to leave a legacy of a better future for the borough that reflects Dudley borough’s potential and harnesses the ambitions of the people we serve. For more information see our Council Plan www.dudley.gov.uk/council-community/plan-policies-and-strategies/council-plan, Dudley Borough Vision for 2030, Forging a Future for All www.dudleyboroughvision2030.org.uk and key information about the borough and its communities at All about Dudley Borough www.allaboutdudley.info
Company Info
Website
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/
Telephone
01384 811300
Location
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
Council House
Priory Road
Dudley
West Midlands
DY1 1HF
United Kingdom
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