Service Manager; Customer and Business Support - ORK

Overview

Service Manager (Customer and Business Support)
Council Offices, Kirkwall
35 hours per week
Permanent

£62,908 - £68,529
£34.47 - £37.55 per hour

The above amounts include Distant Islands Allowance.

You will be reporting to the Head of Performance and Business Support.

Your working pattern is Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm. We are happy to talk flexible working, where possible.

The purpose of this role is to lead, manage and develop the Customer and Business Support function, supporting the Head of Service in the strategic direction of the service.

The remit of the service covers four main areas - corporate business support, customer services, democratic services, and support for the Head of Service in relation to their premises management responsibilities for the Council Offices at School Place.

This is a key leadership role at a time when the Council is continuing to modernise how it delivers customer services and business support. The successful candidate will play a central part in improving services, strengthening consistency across the organisation, and helping ensure our support functions are responsive, efficient and focused on the needs of our communities.

We are looking for a credible and collaborative leader who can bring strategic thinking, strong operational management and a clear focus on improvement. You will be confident leading diverse teams, working in a political environment, and building effective relationships with senior officers, elected members and partners.

• Lead, manage and develop the Customer and Business Support function in support of the Head of Service.
• Drive strategic direction and service improvement across corporate business support, customer services, democratic services, and premises management support for the Council Offices at School Place.
• Foster collaboration, improve service consistency, and ensure the function is responsive and efficient in meeting community needs.
• Provide leadership to diverse teams, operate in a political environment, and build effective relationships with senior officers, elected members and partners.

• The necessary qualification, experience and skills required for this role are detailed in the must have' section of the attached job profile. These criteria are used for decisions on shortlisting and appointment of applicants.
• This post requires a Level 1 Disclosure check.
• This post is classed as a politically restricted post under the provisions of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
• Relocation package is available in line with Council Policy for this post, subject to policy terms.
• Applications close at 23:59 on Sunday 5 July 2026, with shortlisting week commencing 6 July 2026 and interviews scheduled for week commencing 20 or 27 July 2026.

Note on recruitment information
:
For a discussion about the role, contact Alex Rodwell, Head of Performance and Business Support at  or extension 2281. For information on applying and our recruitment process, information for applicants is available internally. We welcome your feedback on our recruitment process.

Orkney Islands Council is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of age, gender, race or ethnicity, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity status or gender reassignment status.