Director of Business Operations

Director of Business Operations 

Salary: £105,946 - £115,387

Location: Northumberland (Hybrid)

Contract: Fixed Term (12 Months)

Closing date: 29th April 2026

Northumberland County Council is seeking a visionary and strategic leader to shape the future of our Business Operations Centre (BOC). This is a unique opportunity to lead one of the Council’s most critical enterprise functions—driving transformation, enhancing service delivery, and enabling exceptional employee and customer experiences across our organisation. 

As the Director of Business Operations, you will define and deliver the long-term strategic vision for a centre that supports thousands of colleagues and underpins the effective running of the Council. You will lead a diverse portfolio of enabling services - People & Culture, Finance, Data, Digital & IT, and Central Administration - ensuring they operate with consistency, efficiency, and innovation at their core. 

About the Business Operations Centre 

The BOC delivers integrated, high-volume transactional services that support all directorates across the Council. Its core mission is to: 

• Standardise and optimise processes for cost-effectiveness and scalability.
• Improve service quality and user experience through automation and digital innovation.
• Ensure robust governance, compliance, and risk management.
• Provide accurate,timely and reliable data and services.
• Foster collaboration across enabling functions to deliver seamless, joinedup solutions.

This is a leadership role with Council-wide impact. 

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership 

• Define and articulate the BOC’s long-term strategic vision and roadmap.
• Ensure full alignment with the Council’s wider strategic objectives.
• Shape the organisational design of the BOC to meet evolving needs.
• Lead and develop BOC function leads, fostering a high performance culture.

Process Optimisation & Service Delivery 

• Oversee the design, standardisation, and continuous optimisation of all BOC processes.
• Govern the BOC service delivery model, including SLAs and performance expectations.
• Embed a culture of continuous improvement and proactive problem solving.

Digital Transformation 

• Champion the adoption of advanced digital technologies, automation, and AI.
• Support the development of digital tools and analytics to drive decision-making.
• Enhance data integrity, operational efficiency, and user experience.

Performance & Governance 

• Establish and monitor strategic KPIs across the BOC.
• Implement robust governance frameworks to ensure security, compliance, and risk management.
• Anticipate regulatory changes and adapt strategies accordingly.

Financial & Resource Leadership 

• Contribute to BOC budget planning and management.
• Ensure effective, efficient and compliant use of resources.
• Demonstrate strong financial acumen and return on investment.

Stakeholder Engagement 

• Build strong relationships across the Council and with external partners.
• Collaborate with enabling functions to support service delivery to directorates.
• Represent the Council at relevant committees, forums, and strategic discussions.

Person Specification 

Qualifications 

• Level 6 qualification in business administration or equivalent senior professional experience
• Significant leadership experience within a large, complex organisation (public sector experience desirable)

Knowledge, Skills & Experience 

• Extensive senior leadership experience in shared services, large-scale operations, or transactional processing
• Proven track record of delivering major strategic and operational transformations
• Deep expertise in process harmonisation, optimisation, and service standardisation
• Experience leading digital innovation, including automation and AI
• Strong understanding of governance, compliance, and risk frameworks
• Advanced skills in analytics, performance management, and data-driven decision-making
• Excellent influencing, relationship-building, and strategic communication skills
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing significant budgets
• A broad understanding of local government services and the environment in which they operate

Why Join Us? 

This is a rare opportunity to lead a major organisational function undergoing transformation, shaping how critical services are delivered across a large and diverse organisation. You will play a key strategic role in modernising and future‑proofing the way we work—making a tangible impact on colleagues, communities, and the wider region. 

For Further Information

Candidates are asked to send a CV with covering letter outlining how your skills and experience make you a suitable candidate for the role. Please send this to Dan Edgar at dan.edgar@northumberland.gov.uk or Natasha Poole at natasha.poole@northumberland.gov.uk by the closing date.

For additional information about this vacancy, please refer to the attached Candidate Information Pack and Job Description.

 
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, please see the alternative methods below. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.  

Alternative application format:

British Sign Language: northumberlandcc-cs.signvideo.net

For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss: Text relay service dial 018001 01670 623930.