Engagement and Consultation Lead

This role has a starting salary of £50,047 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week.

We are excited to be hiring a new Engagement and Consultation Lead to join our fantastic Resident Intelligence Unit (RIU) team based in Reigate. This role offers hybrid working, meaning you aren't required in the office 5 days a week.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Role

We are a forward-thinking team, in an ambitious organisation, always looking to try new things and stay at the forefront of modern techniques and channels. Have you got the strategic vision and passion to have a real impact??

We are looking for an experienced senior manager in the field of insights and engagement, to hold a vital role as Engagement and Consultation Lead in the council's new Resident Intelligence Unit (RIU). This is an exciting role that will be driving forward engagement and consultation capability across the Council to better utilise insight and ensure that residents' opinions are front and centre in shaping and delivering policy, and outcomes are improved within Surrey County Council and its communities.

Your role will be responsible for helping the organisation to truly understand our communities, so council policy is developed alongside our residents, helping ensure that no-one is left behind.?This is a senior role that will lead a key function in the team. You will work closely with the Head of Resident Insight and the Behaviour Change Lead as well as services across the council including Communications, Customer Services, Community Link Officers, Data and Insight team, as well as members and all directorates to bring together research and insight, making it imbedded and accessible to the whole organisation to properly inform decision making.

This is an exciting opportunity to improve design and delivery effectiveness of statutory consultations and engagement approaches, ensure better strategic coordination of current activities, advocating a consistent approach and embedding good engagement practices across the organisation in line with the new engagement framework. The role will provide an expert source of professional guidance, latest information and constructive challenge on statutory consultation and engagement, working closely with senior leaders including, but not limited to, Cabinet Members, Councillors, the Chief Executive and CLT.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• Extensive, up-to-date knowledge of consultation, engagement and communications best practice.
• Experience of providing professional, high quality consultation and engagement advice at the highest level of a complex organisation.
• Experience of working closely with senior stakeholders, providing advice to, and influencing, a senior audience.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 10/04/2024 with interviews to follow.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.