Chief Executive

Job purpose

The Chief Executive’s role is to support and advise the PCC in delivering his priorities and in undertaking the statutory duties and responsibilities, including as the Head of the Commissioner’s staff, as defined in Schedule 1, Paragraph 6(1) (a) of the Police Reform & Social Responsibility Act 2011, and to carry out such duties efficiently and effectively as well as the statutory duties of the Monitoring Officer to the Commissioner, as defined in Schedule 16, paragraph 202(3) of the Police Reform & Social Responsibility Act 2011.

Main responsibilities

Strategy & Resource Planning

• To be the lead strategic advisor to assist the Commissioner in developing a clear and effective long-term vision and strategy, ensuring the effective delivery of the Police and Crime Plan.
• To work closely with the PCC and Chief Constable (collectively and one to one), supporting the PCC in influencing and shaping the leadership and strategic direction for the Constabulary.
• To lead the development and delivery of the Commissioner’s activities and operations.
• To lead on the response to national, regional and local developments that have implications for the Commissioner, ensuring they are properly advised of new obligations, opportunities and relevant changes in strategy or policies.
• To be the principal adviser to the Commissioner in the exercise of their statutory powers, responsibilities, rights, duties and conduct, including holding the Chief Constable to account for the delivery of an effective and efficient police service through the development and maintenance of an appropriate governance and scrutiny framework.
• To ensure the establishment, monitoring and effective management of the financial planning, budgetary, resourcing and asset management. functions, ensuring compliance with standing orders and propriety in the conduct of the PCC’s business including making proper arrangements for tendering procedures and the letting of contracts.
• To act as the OPCC’s Head of Paid Service and undertake the management & day-to-day running of the OPCC, ensuring all its functions are carried out to a high standard.
• To provide effective leadership for the organisation, developing a culture which enables the OPCC to constantly improve and innovate to effectively deliver the Commissioner’s vision, mission and priorities.
• To provide support to the Commissioner in respect of all aspects of their statutory responsibilities in relation to the Chief Constable, including recruitment, selection, development, termination, appraisal, complaints and discipline.

Partnership working, commissioning & service delivery

• To develop a positive and strong relationship with the Chief Constable and his staff to ensure an effective and collaborative approach to the work of the OPCC.
• To lead on the establishment and delivery of an effective commissioning framework that delivers the mission and priorities of the Commissioner, supporting victims of crime and vulnerable people.
• To achieve, sustain and develop effective, dynamic and strategic working relationships and collaborative opportunities with all key partners to ensure the effective delivery of Commissioner’s priorities.
• Engage with partners across policing, justice and third sector organisations to develop and support tertiary prevention strategies, ensuring alignment and efficiency in early intervention through to prevention activities.
• To act as lead adviser in relation to external inspection regimes and formulating responses to such reports as required.
• To manage the OPCC’s role on the Joint Independent Audit Committee to provide independent assurance on the adequacy of the corporate governance and risk management arrangements in place and the associated control environment, advising according to good governance principles and proper practices.
• To foster and maintain positive and constructive relationships with both internal and external partners and stakeholders at the local, regional and national level, representing the PCC at high level meetings when required.
• To attend the Police and Crime Panel (as required) and ensure the provision of information to the Panel and the public.

Engagement & Information Management (including obtaining the views of the public, media relations, research, strategic needs assessments)

• To lead and oversee internal and external media and communications activities, acting as lead spokesperson for the Commissioner’s office, as required.
• To ensure effective community engagement and consultation underpins all planning and development work and that the views of the public actively informs the work of the OPCC.
• To ensure that OPCC undertakes effective strategic needs assessments and appropriate research which demonstrate the understanding of the communities served, enabling effective budget alignment and prioritisation.
• Assist the Commissioner in raising their profile to enhance the accountability of the police service and themselves, ensuring the effective communication of their values, priorities, strategies, achievements and views.

Scrutiny, Evaluation & Performance

• To ensure that the OPCC is properly resourced at all times to provide an efficient and effective service across the range of its work.
• To develop a strong performance management framework for the organisation, ensuring continuous improvement in the Constabulary and the OPCC.
• Ensure that the appropriate information on the decisions taken by the PCC, together with other information of interest, are communicated and published in the Commissioner’s Publication Scheme.
• To brief the Commissioner on issues affecting policing, crime reduction and community safety and ensure an innovative and appropriate policy development.
• To ensure that the performance and development of the OPCC is kept under regular review to ensure the support provided to the Commissioner remains relevant and enables him to effectively fulfil his role.
• To ensure the OPCC has effective and efficient management of complaints against the PCC and the Chief Constable and take ownership of responses as required.
• To ensure the OPCC has appropriate management of contacts to the PCC and OPCC with a focus on pragmatic customer service and identifying vulnerability.
• To undertake other duties up to a level consistent with the principal responsibilities of the job.