Policy, Performance and Governance Manager

Vacancy Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s Performance and Governance team at a time of significant change for local government. You’ll be working with the Head of Service on Local Government Reorganisation, and making sure the Council remains compliant, transparent and on track with it’s policy and performance objectives. You’ll take the lead on a number of governance areas whilst we undertake this significant change.

We’re looking for someone who can understand complex situations, undertake research, suggest policy and performance changes and apply sound and ethical decisions based on good governance factors. Being able to take decisions in a complex and changing environment, and leading a high performing, multi-skilled team are essential features of the role.

About the Role

You’ll take the lead role in delivering the Council’s corporate governance arrangements, and managing policy and performance initiatives.

A typical day might see you working with the Chief Executive to respond to a contentious and high impact Ombudsman complaint, working with departments and Legal Services to respond to a complex and politically sensitive Freedom of Information request, attending meetings about the Council’s Artificial Intelligence usage policy and how this impacts on data protection, and working with the Head of Policy and Governance and other local authorities on plans for local government reorganisation, reviewing and updating our corporate objectives and strategic plan, and managing corporate performance indicators. You’ll have a small, but highly expert team to help support your work, but this will be a leadership role working with some of the most senior people at the Council, and we are looking for someone with the skills and experience to hit the ground running.

You will champion good information governance, data protection and information rights at the Council, and you will actively promote a culture of good complaints handling and best practice, identifying and promoting opportunities for continuous improvement while ensuring the Council has appropriate arrangements in place to meet legislative requirements.

You will provide strategic advice on a range of local government issues, and act as a subject matter expert for corporate governance.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Is an effective negotiator and able to advocate for information governance across the Council
• Has the ability to work collaboratively and in partnership to influence service delivery
• Makes sound decisions based on legal and ethical considerations, and good governance requirements
• Can assess complex service data and make recommendations for improvement
• Quickly adapts to and champions new working practices and technology
• Has excellent communication skills to effectively engage with a range of audiences
• Can lead and deliver practical improvements through projects, programmes and initiatives

Due to the nature of the work, a high level of discernment and respect for confidentiality is required.

With such a varied and high impact role on offer, we don’t expect you to excel in all areas immediately, but we will support your growth within the role through training, coaching and mentoring, because we believe in developing our people and empowering them to excellent public services.

What you’ll get:

• In addition to your salary, you will receive a sign-on payment of £5,238 (50% paid on completion of probation and 50% at 18 months). This is for new staff joiners to TWBC, not internal applicants.
• The starting salary for this post is £48,598 per annum. At TWBC all new staff have a review at 12 months and another at 24 months. After the first successful review, your salary will move to £49,877 and after the second successful review your salary will move to £51,156.
• TWBC also has an annual review of all salaries. We are awaiting confirmation of the changes to salaries which will come into effect from 1 April 2026.
• 26 days’ holiday (rising to 29 with 5 years' continuous Local Government service) + UK bank holidays + 3 extra days in December
• Generous Local Government Pension Scheme - Employer contribution of 19.7%
• Access to HAPI an all‑in‑one benefits hub, giving you easy access to a wide range of employee perks, wellbeing support, discounts, and everyday savings.
• Hybrid working to support work/life balance
• Free parking near the Town Hall
• Free tea, coffee and wellbeing perks like an Employee Assistance Program, flu jabs, eyecare vouchers, and more

Ready to apply?

If you would like to talk through the role, please contact Jane Clarke, Head of Policy and Governance, jane.clarke@tunbridgewells.gov.uk

Job Description and Person Specification available below.

Advert closing date: Thursday, 26 February 2026

Interview date: Wednesday, 4 March 2026