Business Improvement Team Leader

Job Introduction

About Us

Shape the future of public services in Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire County Council is entering a defining period of change. With rising demand, tighter budgets and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) on the horizon, we’re not standing still — we’re re‑imagining how public services work. This is a chance to lead meaningful improvement at scale, challenge the status quo, and help build smarter, more resilient services for the future

We are now looking for an exceptional Business Improvement Team Leader to lead a highly skilled corporate team at the heart of this change.

This is a senior, influential role for someone who thrives on complexity, can work confidently in a political environment and is motivated by delivering real, measurable improvements for residents, communities and staff.

About the Role

As Business Improvement Team Leader, you will lead and manage a small team of Business Improvement Officers and Senior Business Analysts with a corporate, council‑wide remit. Your focus will be on driving improvement across services — from customer journeys and front‑office access through to back‑office processes, digital enablement and organisational design.

You will:

• Lead major, multi‑service improvement programmes, using LEAN and other business improvement techniques to deliver better outcomes, efficiencies and value for money
• Set the corporate approach to business improvement, including toolkits, standards and ways of working
• Lead a LEAN Academy Network, building improvement capability across the organisation
• Work closely with senior leaders, Members, partners and IT colleagues to translate strategic priorities into practical, deliverable change
• Play a key role in supporting the Council’s preparation for LGR, helping to design future‑ready processes, operating models and services
• Champion evidence‑based decision‑making, ensuring insight, data and analysis sit at the centre of improvement activity
• Lead, coach and develop your team, creating a high‑performing, collaborative and resilient culture

About you

 You will bring:

• Significant experience delivering business improvement and change in a complex organisation, ideally within local government or a similarly political environment
• Strong leadership experience, with the ability to motivate and develop high‑performing teams
• Deep practical knowledge of LEAN or equivalent improvement methodologies, ideally at Black Belt or senior practitioner level
• Excellent analytical and communication skills, with the confidence to provide clear, balanced advice to senior leaders and Members
• A collaborative, pragmatic approach — comfortable working across organisational boundaries and disciplines

Project or programme management qualifications and a strong understanding of governance, performance and risk frameworks will be essential.

Ready to make a difference?

If you are excited by the challenge of leading improvement at scale, influencing system‑wide change and helping shape the future of local government in Oxfordshire, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now and help us dare to do things differently — for Oxfordshire and its communities.

Rewards and benefits

At Oxfordshire County Council, we’re committed to creating a supportive, flexible and rewarding place to work. We invest in your wellbeing, development and work–life balance, offering a comprehensive package of benefits designed to help you thrive both professionally and personally. Joining us means being part of an organisation that values people, encourages growth, and makes a real difference to communities across Oxfordshire.

Key Rewards and Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement, with additional leave for long service.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with excellent employer contributions.
• Flexible and hybrid working options, supporting work–life balance.
• Family‑friendly policies, including maternity, paternity, adoption and carers’ support.
• Continuous professional development, training, coaching and career progression opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Programme offering confidential emotional, financial and wellbeing support.
• Access to a wide range of staff networks promoting inclusion and belonging.
• Discounts and savings through the MyBenefits portal, including retail, travel and leisure offers.
• Cycle‑to‑Work scheme and other green travel incentives.
• Health and wellbeing resources, including mental health support, occupational health, and wellbeing events.

Our commitment to:
 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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