Head of Cabinet Office

Job introduction

Are you ready for an exciting career opportunity? 

Could you bring leadership experience, diversity of thought and strong policy development skills?

If so we would love to hear from you. This is a fantastic opportunity to join us as the Head of Cabinet Office and be at the forefront of driving policy and growth for our vibrant and diverse city by the sea.

Interview date: 12 June 2025 at Hove Town Hall

About the role

We are seeking a passionate and dynamic individual to lead our Cabinet Office, covering policy, economic growth, tourism and support to the Leader and Cabinet. This pivotal role sits on the Corporate Leadership Team and reports directly to the Chief Executive of the City Council, with a dotted line to the Leader of the Council.

Key Responsibilities

•    Work closely with Members utilising your political acumen and expertise in change management and policy development.

•    Lead economic growth, tourism and policy development for the City Council.

•    Reshape the team and structure to meet the evolving needs of our Council and City, delivering at pace and with agility.

•    Be part of the Corporate Leadership Team in driving our key priorities: financial sustainability, devolution, local government reform, and embedding a culture of continuous learning.

•    Lead our Council Plan refresh and delivery holding the whole Council to our mission of a Better Brighton and Hove for all.

What's in it for You?

This is an exciting time to join Brighton & Hove City Council, we are a high performing Council, with outstanding and award-winning services. The City is diverse and dynamic with a thriving economy which we are striving to continuously grow. We are embarking on Devolution for Sussex and Brighton. You will be an integral part of the Corporate Leadership Team, working closely with the Chief Executive, Cabinet and the Leader of the Council. 

As a leader, you will embody our learning organisation ethos, core values and behaviours to be:

•    Connected: Being connected means we work as one council, with all directorates, services and staff aligned to the clear purpose of creating a better Brighton & Hove for all. 

•    Confident: Being confident means we are agile, testing our approach to problems and learning to improve as we go.  

•    Innovative & Creative: Being innovative and creative means we make space to experiment and reflect.  

•    Diverse and Inclusive: Being diverse and inclusive means we have a dynamic workforce and leadership that truly reflects our city's communities.  

•    Healthy and Psychologically Safe: Being healthy and psychologically safe means we work in a trust-based environment where staff feel able to bring their best selves to work.   

Join Us!

If you are a leader of people, politically savvy, and ready to make a significant impact, we want to hear from you! Apply now to become the Head of Cabinet Office and play a crucial role in shaping the future of our city.

Together, we will drive forward a Better Brighton and Hove for all!

For an informal conversation about the role with Jess Gibbons, Chief Executive please email Terie.Harrison@brighton-hove.gov.uk to schedule a convenient time.

Please read our Apply for a job at the council pages carefully. They give you all the guidance you need to complete your application as well as information on what will happen after you’ve submitted your application and at interview.

As part of your application, you will need to complete your education and work history and provide answers to some shortlisting questions. Your answers to the shortlisting questions are the most important part of your application as they will be used in the shortlisting process to assess whether you meet the essential requirements for the role that are set out in the person specification and to decide whether you should be offered an interview. Before you start your application, please read our guidance here (Application form guidance) and Shortlisting questions guidance as this gives important advice which will increase your chance of success in the shortlisting process.

Additional information

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is less than 37 hours or term-time only.

We are a workplace that supports flexibility and employee wellbeing in the way we work whilst providing the best service for our customers. Team and service working arrangements are designed to support both employee work life balance and team collaboration. These would be part of your individual working arrangements alongside any personal preference agreed with your manager in advance of joining.

For more information about our values and the benefits of working at the council, visit Why work for us (brighton-hove.gov.uk)

Company information

Encouraging a diverse workforce

Our city is known and loved for its diversity. Not only is the mixture of people, culture and skills vital to the economic and social development of the city, it's what makes Brighton & Hove such a great place to live, work and visit. We are committed to developing and retaining a workforce that is representative of the diverse communities we serve so we welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds. In order to achieve our aims of proportionate representation, we particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background as well as those who identify as disabled, male or trans.

Find out more about our commitment to being a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone can achieve their potential by reading about our fair and inclusive actions, our anti-racism strategy and the work we are doing to encourage a diverse workforce (brighton-hove.gov.uk).