Join Dorset Council as a Strategic Partnerships Manager and play a central role in shaping the future of local government. Working within the Chief Executive’s Office, you will operate across the organisation and beyond it, supporting senior leaders to build, maintain and coordinate the council’s most important strategic relationships.
The role has a strong emphasis on regional partnership working, supporting collaboration across councils and public sector partners as devolution proposals develop. You will help align shared priorities, contribute to regional discussions, and support the development of a clear, credible South West voice—ensuring Dorset plays an active and constructive role within emerging regional arrangements.
This is a high‑profile, relationship‑focused role requiring sound judgement, political awareness and the confidence to work effectively with senior stakeholders. It offers the opportunity to work across organisational boundaries, support major strategic agendas, and help position Dorset Council as a trusted and influential partner within a changing regional landscape.
What you can expect to be doing
As Strategic Relationships Manager, you will lead and coordinate Dorset Council’s approach to strategic relationship‑building, working at the heart of the organisation within the Chief Executive’s Office. You will operate across directorates and with external partners to support senior leadership engagement on priority agendas.
You Will
- Lead the development and coordination of Dorset Council’s strategic relationships at local, regional and national levels, ensuring consistency, clarity and purpose.
- Support the council’s engagement in the emerging Devolution agenda, working with regional partners to shape effective collaboration and governance arrangements across the South West.
- Act as a key point of coordination between the council, regional partnerships and wider public sector bodies, helping align shared priorities and approaches.
- Prepare and provide high‑quality briefings, advice and narrative for senior officers and elected members to support engagement in regional forums and discussions.
- Represent the council, as appropriate, in regional partnership meetings, working groups and networks.
- Work closely with directorates to understand service priorities and ensure these are reflected coherently in external relationship management and partnership activity.
- Support the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team on high‑profile strategic issues, ensuring strong governance, clear accountability and effective coordination.
- Operate confidently in a matrix environment, leading and influencing work across organisational boundaries on complex, cross‑cutting agendas.
About You
We are looking for someone who brings strong strategic judgement and experience of working in complex, politically aware and partnership‑based environments. You will be comfortable operating at senior levels, able to build effective relationships, and skilled at balancing collaboration with clear organisational focus and accountability.
You Will Bring
- A degree or equivalent experience, with evidence of continued professional development.
- Significant experience of working at a strategic level within local government or the public sector, including engagement with senior officers, members and external stakeholders.
- A strong understanding of regional partnership working and the evolving local government and devolution context.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to brief clearly, build trust and manage complex relationships.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to synthesise complex information into clear advice and narrative for senior decision‑makers.
- Political awareness and confidence working in a fast‑paced, high‑profile and sensitive environment.
- Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
- Good IT skills and the flexibility to travel as required.
Experience of working across organisational boundaries or with regional and national partners would be highly advantageous.
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