Overview
As a Deputy Head of Business Administration, you'll thrive on supporting the wellbeing and development of staff whilst leading the delivery of high-quality administrative services. In a climate of ongoing budget reductions, you'll champion new ways of working, balancing the need for cost-effectiveness with a commitment to excellent service and staff support.
Responsibilities
* Extensive experience of managing staff and can engage and motivate teams to recognise their full potential. You will demonstrate excellent leadership and people skills, as you play a key role in future service improvement.
* Lead on continuous improvement and change programmes to provide customer focused, modern, robust and effective services.
* Identify areas for efficiency in order to support increases in demand and reducing budgets.
* Work in partnership with a range of people and services across the Council using excellent communication skills to ensure productive and collaborative relationships. Influence change to improve service outcomes and work with the BAS Management Team to develop, co-ordinate and improve administration support.
* Demonstrate a positive commitment to continuous improvement and creative thinking vital in developing and modernising the service to ensure business outcomes are achieved.
* Be a senior member of the BAS Management Team (SMT) and contribute to the review and redefinition of areas of responsibility across the PO6 tier as appropriate.
* Provide leadership, vision and drive as part of the Shared Service team and lead on continuous improvement and change programmes to deliver customer focused, modern, robust and effective services.
* Develop and manage a performance management and service improvement culture, embedding performance management and service improvement arrangements within the service.
* Line manage the relevant section within shared services and implement and develop management, information technology, quality administrative and other systems and procedures as required in the section or service-wide.
* Support the Shared Services Management Team and manage projects as assigned by the Management Team.
* Proactively take the lead on performance management and service improvement issues across the relevant service area.
* Monitor and manage the relevant service area budget, report on budget issues to the Management Team and report on budget and performance to corporate meetings as required.
* Lead on procurement and contract management of service and council-wide contracts as required.
* Undertake managerial responsibility for staff within the relevant service area.
* Undertake duties delegated including working arrangements, leave, attendance, recruitment and selection, training and development, disciplinary matters, grievances, complaints of discrimination, violence or bullying, performance capability, emergencies and service continuity, health and safety, information technology and confidentiality.
* Develop, implement, and report on effective information management systems and processes, ensuring information is properly managed, reported and best practice is shared and implemented across the service.
* Promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and equality in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement and HR, focusing on equality of outcome for the service.
* Ensure service planning and monitoring is carried out across the relevant service area in accordance with corporate requirements, with key tasks and activities completed and reported, and service plans reflecting key activities and actions.
* Ensure risk management is embedded across the service and that key managers understand and implement risk management in day-to-day tasks and projects, reporting high risk matters to the Management Team.
* Ensure the division has a high degree of assurance in the accuracy of activities and work with Internal Audit to ensure effective service delivery.
* Allocate work within the relevant section effectively, considering skills, experience and qualifications of team members.
* Coordinate and ensure a high standard of management information provided to stakeholders including internal customers and external bodies (including schools).
* Participate in Service, Directorate and Corporate meetings as required and initiate actions arising from those meetings.
* Contribute to initiatives within the service and Directorate generally and participate in required training.
* Work flexibly and move within service areas, including working at different locations depending on service demand.
* Abide by the Council's Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety Policies and participate in training and development activities for ongoing knowledge and professional development.
* The above list is not exclusive or exhaustive; duties may be reassigned within the flexibility protocol as required.
* Possess or develop IT skills, including the ability to utilise Microsoft and other applications.
* Ensure the Council meets statutory and contractual obligations and returns to relevant bodies.
* Keep abreast of legislative, technical and other changes impacting the function and respond accordingly.
* Lead, manage, motivate and develop staff to achieve high standards of service; draft and prepare clear documents, reports and guidance as required.
* Educated to degree level in relevant subject or significant experience; ability to express concepts clearly.
* Excellent Project Management skills and working in partnership with other organisations in the public and private sectors.
* Lead external income generation within the service; possess advanced IT skills and knowledge of financial aspects of a large organisation; understand accounting principles and financial systems; knowledge of Change Management and current local authority finance issues; awareness of IT developments and GDPR/Data Protection requirements.
* Experience in planning work and staff supervision, undertaking significant business change, and working in relevant environments (e.g., Administration, HR, Payroll, Finance) with a track record of managing large staff groups and positive outcomes.
* Ability to challenge staff effectively; self-starter who can work with initiative on outcome-focused issues; commitment to change management and delivering high-quality shared services; professional presentation and commitment to personal development; willingness to work beyond normal hours and adopt innovative approaches.
* Commitment to keep informed of legislative and policy changes for ongoing service development.
Qualifications
* Educated to degree level or equivalent experience; strong project management, IT and analytical skills.
* Experience of managing or developing IT systems; experience of managing projects.
* Knowledge of accounting principles, financial systems, and the financial aspects of a large organisation; understanding of Change Management and GDPR considerations.
Other
* Relationships: Maintain effective relationships with Leeds City Council staff, Elected Members, the public and partner organisations as appropriate.
* Physical Conditions: Primarily office-based, potential face-to-face customer contact, based within Leeds City Council premises.
* Hours: 37 hours per week; flexitime available; NJC terms apply; DBS checks may be required for some posts.
Note: This role is scheduled to commence on 1 April 2026 and is hybrid, with a minimum of two days in the office. It is ring-fenced to existing BAS Administration Manager (PO3) staff until appointed; after appointment, responsibilities may be redefined. The Council supports flexible working and a commitment to anti-discrimination and safety policies.
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