Do it for every child’s potential and every family’s future. Do it for Devon.
About the Role
Devon County Council is seeking a highly capable, politically astute and strategically minded individual to join Children and Young People’s Futures (CYPF) as Strategic Business Manager, providing critical support to the Director of Children’s Services (DCS) and the Children’s Strategic Leadership Team (CSLT).
This is a pivotal senior role at the heart of Children’s Services. You will act as a trusted adviser and critical friend to the Directorate’s senior leaders, helping to ensure effective leadership, strong governance, and grip on performance, risk and delivery across a large, complex system.
Acting as the “eyes and ears” of the Directorate, you will maintain an overview of all major initiatives and priorities, tracking progress, highlighting risks, and ensuring actions delegated by the DCS and CSLT are pursued through to completion. You will manage and coordinate CSLT and extended leadership agendas, oversee decision implementation, and support effective strategic forward planning across a range of key boards and partnerships.
You will also undertake horizon scanning and policy analysis, keeping senior leaders informed of external developments that may impact children’s services, and ensuring strategic planning and performance frameworks remain aligned to national and local priorities. In addition, you will matrix-manage the Directorate’s executive business support function, driving high standards, modern ways of working and best value.
Key Responsibilities
1. Provide strategic advice, performance insight and organisational oversight to the DCS and CSLT
2. Track and challenge progress on major initiatives, complaints, and delegated actions
3. Lead coordination of CSLT, extended leadership teams and key strategic boards
4. Analyse policy, performance data and intelligence to identify risks, trends and opportunities
5. Represent the DCS and CSLT in senior internal and external forums as required
6. Matrix manage executive personal assistants supporting strategic leaders
About You
You will bring substantial senior-level experience within local government or the wider public sector, with a strong understanding of the political environment and children’s services context. You will be confident operating at pace, influencing and challenging senior leaders constructively, and maintaining an organisational overview across a wide and complex portfolio.
Exceptional organisational, analytical and communication skills are essential, alongside credibility, diplomacy and resilience.
Why Join Us
This is an opportunity to work at the centre of Children’s Services, shaping strategic direction and supporting leadership that makes a real difference to the lives of children, young people and families across Devon. You’ll be part of a team that’s committed to public service, proud of its place, and driven by a shared purpose: to improve outcomes for every child. If you’re looking to make a meaningful impact in a role that matters, this is your chance to Do it for Devon.