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WORKFORCE

Head of Policy & Performance

Be the force behind our future success.

Things are looking good at Luton. We have a strong management team in place; we've built excellent partnerships with the health sector; and we're achieving impressive outcomes in a diverse, urban area with pockets of deprivation. To maintain our rate of progress, we need to continue innovating and improving, engaging broadly and communicating effectively – which is where you come in.

As Head of Policy & Performance, you'll be instrumental to our future success. You'll take a lead role in our development, driving policy through the Council and improving performance, by challenging, inspiring and influencing departments across the Council to deliver on their strategic policy agendas. It means debating and analysing policy - bringing in new ideas and best practice from areas of work within your direct remit, such as community cohesion, to the entire breadth of what matters to local people and therefore the Council. With the Chief Executive behind you, you'll have all the support you need to push for bigger and better things. Ultimately, your goal will be to meet citizens' needs and achieve best value – all while ensuring the Council remains relevant to all its diverse communities.

Experience in local government policy would be helpful, but it's more important that you're a confident, driven and dynamic leader. A strategic thinker and high achiever (both in academia and previous roles), you'll have the credibility to engage and motivate, so senior figures buy into your vision.

To find out more about this key role within our senior management team, please visit: this link.

WORKFORCE

Behind the scenes of this week's reorganisation debacle

By Dan Peters | 10 September 2026

Dan Peters reports on how the reorganisation delay unfolded and the initial reaction from a shocked sector.

WORKFORCE

EXCLUSIVE: Burnham wish for new settlement with sector

By Dan Peters | 10 September 2026

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has told council leaders he wants to ‘create a new settlement between central and local’.

WORKFORCE

Local government reorganisation is a crisis of trust

By Cllr Kevin Bentley | 10 September 2026

Cllr Kevin Bentley says the Government’s approach to reorganisation has damaged finances, trust and confidence within councils.

WORKFORCE

Beyond Manchester: Why place matters

By Simon Edwards | 10 September 2026

Simon Edwards explains why national policy must reflect the distinct realities of county councils.

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