Policy, Governance and Assurance Lead

Are you an experienced procurement leader with expertise in governance, policy and regulatory compliance? Birmingham City Council is looking for a Policy, Governance and Assurance Lead to lead the development of the governance and assurance framework that supports one of the UK's largest Commercial and Procurement Services. This is a pivotal leadership role where you'll shape the Council's commercial control environment, ensuring procurement is compliant, transparent and delivers outstanding value for money. Leading a specialist team, you'll develop policies, strengthen governance, manage strategic risk and help embed a culture of commercial excellence across the organisation. About the Role As the Policy, Governance and Assurance Lead, you'll provide strategic leadership by:

• Leading the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the Council's commercial and procurement policies, procedures and governance framework.
• Ensuring the Council's procurement activity complies with the Procurement Act 2023, the Local Government Transparency Code and wider legislative and regulatory requirements.
• Designing and overseeing the Commercial Governance and Assurance Framework, ensuring robust scrutiny, risk management and consistent application across all procurement activity.
• Supporting the Commercial and Procurement Assurance Committee by reviewing major commercial projects, providing challenge, assurance and expert advice.
• Leading the Council's transparency agenda, overseeing compliance with statutory publication requirements and promoting openness and accountability.
• Advising senior leaders and stakeholders on procurement legislation, governance, commercial policy and organisational risk, helping shape strategic decision-making.
• Leading the implementation of legislative and policy change, ensuring new requirements are embedded through effective communication, guidance and training.
• Driving continuous improvement across Commercial and Procurement Services by simplifying processes, promoting innovation and strengthening the Council's commercial control environment.
• Leading and developing a high-performing specialist team, fostering professional growth, collaboration and a culture of continuous improvement.
  
  We're looking for an experienced procurement and governance leader who combines strategic thinking with exceptional leadership and influencing skills. You'll bring:
• Significant experience designing, implementing and leading procurement governance, assurance, policy or compliance frameworks within a complex organisation.
• Extensive knowledge of procurement legislation, governance and public sector regulatory requirements, including experience operating within highly regulated commercial environments.
• Strong understanding of risk management, assurance and internal controls, with experience providing advice on complex commercial and procurement matters.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and leading organisational change, translating legislation and policy into practical, business-focused solutions.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, interpreting complex legislation, identifying risks and developing pragmatic governance arrangements.
• Outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills, building trusted relationships across the organisation while providing credible strategic advice.
• Proven experience leading and developing specialist teams, promoting professional excellence, ethical procurement and continuous improvement.
• A Level 6 CIPS Diploma (or equivalent professional expertise), or a commitment to work towards the qualification.
  
  Working for Birmingham City Council is more than just a job; it's about making life better for the 1 million plus people who live and work in the city., The Council is a fantastic place to work. You will find an organisation that is both challenging and supportive; with a leadership impatiently adventurous in its pursuit of excellence.
There is a clear vision which is ensuring that the Council is working for communities today and building for tomorrow, we focus our resources on five key priorities:
• A Prosperous Birmingham: through a focus on inclusive economic growth, tackling unemployment, attracting inward investment, and maximising the benefits of the Commonwealth Games.
• An Inclusive Birmingham: through a focus on tackling poverty and inequality, empowering citizens, promoting diversity and civic pride, and supporting and enabling all children and young people to thrive.
• A Safe Birmingham: through a focus on making the city safer, safeguarding vulnerable citizens, increasing affordable housing, and tackling homelessness.
• A Healthy Birmingham: through a focus on tackling health inequalities, encouraging physical activity and healthy living, supporting mental health, and improving outcomes for adults with disabilities and older people.
• A Green Birmingham: through a focus on street cleanliness, improving air quality, continuing the route to net zero, and becoming a city of nature.
We see the Council's role as providing strategic leadership - that's being able to visualise a new future for the city and equipping others to share our vision. We want to ensure the provision of services for all, so we can support those least able to support themselves by working with partners and putting citizens and neighbourhoods at the heart of our decision-making. We are always looking for people who put the customer at the centre of their approach, with a commitment to excellence to help us achieve our vision. We will support you to develop and thrive in your role, building a pathway for long-term success, with lots of development opportunities, such as apprenticeships.

At Birmingham City Council, you'll play a leading role in shaping the governance framework that supports one of Europe's largest Commercial and Procurement Services. In return, we offer:
• The opportunity to influence commercial governance, procurement policy and organisational strategy across a major public sector organisation.
• A senior leadership role where your expertise will strengthen compliance, improve commercial decision-making and drive continuous improvement.
• Opportunities to further develop your leadership, governance and commercial procurement expertise through ongoing professional development.
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities where service needs allow.
• A competitive Local Government Pension Scheme and generous annual leave entitlement.
• Access to a wide range of employee wellbeing initiatives and staff benefits.
• A rewarding career where your leadership will strengthen governance, reduce risk and help ensure public funds are managed ethically, transparently and effectively for the benefit of Birmingham's residents.
Please upload your up-to-date CV via the attachments part of your application, this is required for shortlisting. Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV attached We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the communities we serve. Our data tells us that for this level of role, ethnic minorities are underrepresented and therefore we will use positive action to support us to achieve diverse shortlists. This may mean that recruitment times are a little longer, but we think this is worth it to achieve our aim. Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people. We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application., In return, we offer you excellent terms and conditions, generous annual leave, a great pension scheme, well-being support, annual travel passes and discounts at a number of city centre establishments.