Head of Strategy, Partnerships & Business Planning

Head of Strategy, Partnerships & Business Planning

Salary: Special D, SCP 1-5, £65,022 - £75,728 per annum, Full Time, Permanent, Based at Sir Henry Mitchell House, Bradford

Bradford has created a new Children and Families Trust, which has been commissioned by Bradford Council to deliver a wide range of services for children, families, and young people on their behalf. The Trust is accountable for determining how outcomes of these services are achieved and for the day-to-day running of commissioned children's services.

The Head of Strategy, Partnerships and Business Planning is a key member of the Trust's Senior Leadership Team, responsible for shaping the Trust's vision and driving delivery of strategic objectives. You will lead the development and execution of the Business Plan, annual and three-year planning cycles, and ensure compliance with council timelines. Acting as the lead policy adviser, you will provide robust analysis of complex issues, develop strategies and policies to improve organisational effectiveness, and deliver better outcomes for children and families across Bradford.

This role requires strong stakeholder engagement, influencing partnerships, and ensuring effective governance and standardisation of business planning processes. You will oversee horizon scanning, research, and policy development, contributing to service plans and identifying opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and income generation.

You will also;

• Support the development and communication of the Trust's strategic vision.
• Oversee the contractual relationship with the Council, leading the annual review of Service Level Agreements and producing an annual review report.
• Foster collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, influencing partnerships and overseeing the delivery of key strategies, including the Trust's accommodation strategy.
• Lead research, horizon scanning, and policy development projects to strengthen organisational resilience and position the Trust for future success.
• Lead the development of bids and business cases to support service development and delivery, working closely with the Finance team.

The Corporate Governance & Strategy Directorate plays a critical role in supporting the Trusts core activities by collectively contributing to the Trust's overall effectiveness and efficiency, developing the Trust's medium and long-term plans, driving good governance and risk management and ensuring that we have effective communication strategies in place.

You will need;

• Master's degree (or equivalent experience) in leadership, business, strategic planning, or a related discipline.
• Significant senior leadership experience with a strong focus on strategy, planning, and/or business development.
• Proven ability to deliver strategic plans and partnerships that drive organisational improvement.
• Experience developing and implementing policies, business cases, bids, and other strategic documents.
• Demonstrated success in executing strategies to achieve organisational goals and enhance stakeholder engagement.
• Skilled in managing complex projects and planning cycles within defined parameters.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate at all levels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, anticipating and addressing stakeholder concerns effectively.

This is an exciting time to join the team that is growing and working on development and delivery of effective strategic planning aligned to the needs and aspirations of the Children and Families of Bradford.

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Claire Corneille, Director of People & Talent ( ). Please note all calls will take place from 29th December onwards.

To apply, please visit our website via the button below.

Closing Date: 11 January 2026.

Assessment Centre & Interviews: 21 January 2026.