Director of Place Strategy

Richmond upon Thames and Wandsworth Councils have created a unique partnership, serving over half a million residents across both inner and outer London. With a single Chief Executive and senior management team leading a workforce of over 3,000 staff, we deliver high-quality services to two distinct boroughs. Our innovative approach and commitment to excellence make us a standout organisation in local government.

Our Values:

• Embrace Difference: We celebrate diversity and support each other to bring unique perspectives to work.
• Think Bigger: We use creativity and vision to solve problems and drive positive change.
• Put People First: We treat everyone with compassion and respect, focusing on the needs of our residents.
• Lead by Example: We take pride in our work and strive to set high standards for our community.
• Connect Better: We connect, share knowledge, and collaborate across our organisation and beyond, building bridges and breaking down barriers to adapt and work effectively together.

As the Director of Place Strategy, you will lead and shape all place-based initiatives and services across both boroughs. This will include the delivery of extensive housing programmes as well as shaping and delivering place, renewal and growth strategies to support London’s Growth Plan. By developing effective partnerships between the Council’s, partners, local communities, stakeholders, development partners and contractors you will work to achieve the Council’s wider regeneration and development objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction to support the Council’s place, housing development and growth objectives, driving and leading the next phase of growth potential across both Boroughs.
• Lead the development of the place-based approach across both Council’s working closely with leading Members to identify and secure key objectives.
• Identify and lead a proactive partner engagement strategy and develop positive relationships with potential investors and strategic partners in support of both Boroughs’ Growth Plans.
• Lead and build a cross-service collaboration to maximise housing land supply thus maximising engagement across planning, property, housing and other colleagues to enable the delivery of Affordable homes.
• Build a positive place-based narrative that is relevant to both Council’s and communities to support the positive potential for growth.
• Lead specific key projects, developments and initiatives and oversee major procurement processes to secure development partners and ensure contracts deliver value for money and the required quality.
• Lead resident and stakeholder engagement to ensure best practices and positive community impact, ensuring equitable service delivery standards for both Council’s.
• Provide strategic and motivational leadership to staff, providing a visible presence, promoting a positive working environment, managing staff recruitment, training, development, and adherence to policies and codes of practice.
• Advise and support Members on service matters, legislative developments, and policy proposals, representing the Council’s in dealings with external organisations, including government departments and public authorities.
• Oversee business and budget plans, ensuring services are managed within approved budgets, embedding performance review, improvement, and customer focus within services.
• Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion, creating a supportive and respectful environment, and understanding and upholding the Councils’ safeguarding duties for children, young people, and adults.

 Why join the Richmond and Wandsworth Better Service Partnership?

This role represents the opportunity to be part of an innovative and forward-thinking local authority that has ambitious goals for its residents. The Council offers many opportunities for continued professional development, within a diverse and dynamic environment. The potential to create a meaningful impact on the lives of residents within the two boroughs cannot be overstated, and will be a career defining role for the right person. 

For an informal conversation on the role, please contact:

Ruth Hernandez Turner

Ruth.HernandezTurner@berwickpartners.co.uk

The closing date for applications is Monday 24th March.