Strategy and Governance Officer

Connect2Hackney is the internal talent team for the London Borough of Hackney. We connect outstanding professionals with career-defining roles that directly impact our vibrant, diverse community.

We are currently seeking a visionary leader to join our Children & Education directorate in a pivotal management role. If you are a strategic thinker who champions equity, thrives in a fast-paced civic environment, and knows how to turn service feedback into continuous organisational improvement, we want to hear from you.

As the Strategy & Governance Manager, you will provide the strategic leadership and operational oversight needed to integrate our Strategy & Governance and Complaints & Feedback functions. This is a high-profile role where you will direct the overall workflow of strategic projects, corporate and Member-level governance, statutory complaints (including LGSCO enquiries), and digital content development.

You will act as a trusted advisor to Heads of Service and Senior Managers, ensuring that the Children & Education directorate remains politically astute, compliant, and deeply connected to the needs of Hackney's residents.

• Line-manage and empower a multidisciplinary team, including a Complaints & Feedback Manager, Strategy & Governance Officers, and a Web Content Manager.
• Analyse learning from complaints and feedback to inform strategic direction and quality assurance frameworks across the directorate.
• Oversee Member liaison activity, quality-assure monthly briefings, and manage the pipeline of agenda items for Council and Cabinet meetings.
• Take ownership of the Children & Education Directorate Risk Register, coordinate Business Continuity Plans, and collaborate on the Annual Governance Statement.
• Systematically collaborate across the Council network; embed trauma-informed practices; and maintain a resolute, proactive commitment to anti-racism in all policies and procedures.

We are looking for an inspiring leader who balances technical expertise with excellent interpersonal skills. To thrive in this role, you should possess:

• Experience leading, motivating, and developing a team to deliver against complex strategic plans.
• Significant experience overseeing governance, corporate complaints, information requests (GDPR/FOI/SAR), and digital content.
• Experience building positive relationships with elected members and navigating the balance between political drivers and strategic priorities.
• A track record of driving cultural change, interpreting vision into delivery, and implementing automated workflow tracking systems.
• Practical experience managing budgets (up to £1M) and navigating risk assessment frameworks.

Hackney is a place like no other. We are proud of our diverse workforce and deeply committed to creating an inclusive environment. In this role, you will be expected to actively challenge discrimination and promote a culture of learning, growth, and self-reflection.

We offer a flexible working framework to meet service demands, a central location at the Hackney Service Centre, and a genuine opportunity to shape the future of Children & Education services in London

Commercial Services Trading Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.