Corporate Head of Data, Strategy and Performance

Corporate Head of Data, Strategy and Performance

Location:

MoTech, Staines‑Upon‑Thames, England, United Kingdom

Employer: Kingston Council

Location(s): Kingston

Workplace Type: Hybrid Working

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Hours: Full Time

Grade: M

Hours Per Week: 36

Salary Range: £72,399 – £79,119 per annum

Leave Entitlement: 30 days

Final date to receive applications: 18/01/2026, 23:55

Anticipated Interview Date(s): w/c Monday 26th January

Working at the heart of the organisation, the postholder brings together performance, planning and data expertise to create a joined‑up approach to how the Council is performing, where change is needed, and how strategic priorities can best be achieved. The role plays a critical part in strengthening the Council’s planning, governance, and improvement frameworks to ensure they support delivery of the Council Plan and the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

As a senior leader, the Head of Data, Strategy and Performance will drive the development of data capability, promote the strategic use of insight, and embed a performance culture rooted in transparency, collaboration, and accountability.

This is a key leadership role that supports the Council to become more adaptive, ambitious, and data‑driven in the way it delivers services and achieves its goals.

• Demonstrate strong cross‑organisational working and external engagement with partners to ensure data, strategy and performance work collectively to improve outcomes and public value.
• Understand and demonstrate that you are able to adapt the Council’s transformational and leadership approach and contribute to the collective leadership required to continually develop this.
• Have exceptional leadership skills, modelling a strong performance culture and constructively building achievement, confidence and skills in others.
• Question and challenge conventional thinking, with a continual eye on the bigger picture in terms of the corporate context and external environment.
• Display commercial confidence and the financial management skills to bring about demonstrable improvements in efficiency, value for money and income generation.
• Be politically astute and able to build high levels of credibility and impact quickly, working within networks to deliver through and with others.
• Role model agility and adaptability in mindset and ways of working.
• Have significant experience and a proven track record of achievement in leading and managing data, strategy, partnership, performance and/or risk focused services and activities.
• Work successfully with elected members, partners and key stakeholders including residents, businesses, communities, partner organisations and other public services.
• Have a degree or equivalent professional qualification, preferably in a relevant discipline.
• Demonstrate commitment to own personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the role.
• Demonstrate a high level of innovation and creativity.

The Head of Data, Strategy and Performance plays an important strategic role in ensuring the Council makes informed, evidence‑led decisions that drive better outcomes for residents and communities. Reporting to the Director of Strategy and Transformation, this role leads and aligns three key functions:
Data and Insight, Corporate Strategy and Partnerships, and Corporate Performance and Risk.

As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we are committed to helping you fulfil your potential and will offer you a supportive, friendly and collaborative environment to grow and develop your career and skills. We’re constantly striving to improve our ways of working so putting your ideas across however big or small; will be fully encouraged and supported by your colleagues and our dynamic and experienced management team.

• A generous annual leave entitlement of 25‑32 days, plus bank holidays (pro‑rata if part‑time working hours apply) depending on service and grade.
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, shared parental, adoption and dependents leave.
• Three volunteering days per year in Kingston.
• Hybrid working (dependent on the role).
• Flexible and agile working arrangements…