Director of Policy, Strategy and Engagement

Rotherham is a borough with momentum and a clear plan for the future. Strong political and organisational leadership, significant regeneration programmes (not least the Rotherham Gateway within the Don Valley Corridor), investment in neighbourhoods and strengthened regional relationships are helping us reshape the borough and widen opportunity for our communities. We are proud of the progress we’ve made, and ambitious about what comes next.

About the role

We are looking for a Director of Policy, Strategy and Engagement who can help take this work further. This is an influential role in the organisation, and a new position created to strengthen how we think, plan and engage as a Council. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will sit at the centre of how the Council shapes its strategic direction, drives insight-led improvement and communicates with residents, partners and elected members. Your focus will be to ensure insight, evidence and meaningful engagement inform the decisions that shape the borough’s direction.

This newly established role creates a unique opportunity to set the tone, build the culture and shape the frameworks that will underpin the Council’s next phase of progress. You will work closely with the Leader, the Chief Executive and Executive Directors, offering trusted strategic advice on complex issues and helping translate ambition into clear choices. A major part of the role will be strengthening how the Council uses data, intelligence and insight. You will help build capability across the organisation, develop clearer strategic frameworks and embed a culture where evidence drives policy, performance and improvement.

Within the role you will equip and enable Elected Members to fulfil their responsibilities within the Council’s democratic processes and in their leadership of wards and neighbourhoods. This means helping them access high-quality insight, navigate complex policy issues and engage effectively with their communities. By building strong relationships, fostering trust and ensuring members have the tools, evidence and support they need, you will play a central role in strengthening local democracy and empowering Elected Members to champion the interests of residents and shape outcomes across the borough.

Leadership Expectations

You will lead a diverse group of professional teams, enabling them to think strategically, work across boundaries and maximise their collective impact. Your leadership style will be collaborative, enabling and confident. You will create the conditions for people to do their best work and align their efforts behind shared organisational priorities.

As part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will help strengthen organisational cohesion, clarity and focus. You will contribute to a culture that combines ambition with trust, clear expectations with support, and high standards with space for innovation.

Rotherham’s role in the region is evolving. Our relationship with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority is creating new opportunities to collaborate on areas such as transport, regeneration and economic development. You will help ensure the borough is well positioned in this landscape by shaping relationships, influencing shared priorities and securing the best outcomes for local people.

We welcome candidates from a range of professional backgrounds. What matters most is your ability to connect strategy with delivery, build trusted relationships and use insight to inform policy, performance and improvement. You will bring clarity of thought, strong influencing skills and the confidence to work with Elected Members, senior officers and partners. You will also understand the practical realities of public service delivery and the importance of supporting colleagues across the organisation.

Why Join Us?

Rotherham is proud of the progress we have made and ambitious about what comes next. This is a role where your thinking and leadership will directly shape decisions that affect the borough’s future and the outcomes we achieve for our communities. If you are motivated by the opportunity to influence at scale and contribute to a place that is moving forward with purpose, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For an informal discussion, contact: Mark Bearn (07747 181490), or Tom McElroy Williams (07535 316017) at Tile Hill.

Recruitment Timeline:

• Closing Date for Applications: Midnight on Sunday 5th April
• Assessment Centre: Tuesday 14 April
• Final Panel: Wednesday 29 April 

Strategic Leadership Team Structure

To apply:
To apply, please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV (three sides of A4 maximum), along with a supporting statement (three sides of A4 maximum) detailing your experience, and achievements and addressing the key criteria for the role set out on this site and using examples to demonstrate how you meet the requirements. Documents should be uploaded via our website, please include and upload the below information in two documents only. If you experience any issues whilst applying, please contact matthew.ashby@tile-hill.co.uk 

Applications should include:

• Full contact details;
• Names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees (we will ask your permission before contacting referees);
• Details of your notice period
• Notification of any dates when you are not available for an interview

At Tile Hill, we are committed to inclusion and accessibility. We champion and support all individuals to ensure everyone feels valued, listened to and motivated to get the very best out of each recruitment process and that processes are designed to meet the needs of individuals. If you have any specific requests and would like a confidential discussion with the Tile Hill team, then please email inclusion@tile-hill.co.uk