Head of Community Safety

Overview

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to keeping our residents and communities safe. This postholder will drive forward our work strategically with partners, particularly with the Thames Valley Police and others, to create the right environment and system working to improve community safety. The postholder will also oversee a busy operational delivery service.

Salary: £80,969

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

Strategy, Improvement and Community Support sits within the Adults and Health Directorate. Our ambition is to keep residents and communities safe, deliver our Better Lives Strategy to support vulnerable adults and communities, and provide robust directorate strategy and governance support.

About the role

We are seeking a strong senior community safety leader to take on a pivotal role in shaping and delivering our Safer Bucks Strategy Buckinghamshire. As the Head of Community Strategy, you will directly lead a team to deliver partnership projects and initiatives, domestic abuse operational services, CCTV, and oversee a busy operational neighbourhoods service covering anti-social behaviour, community wardens, and wider community safety priorities.

Key responsibilities:

• Acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, Elected Members, partners and the Safer Bucks Board.
• Provide strategic leadership of the community safety function providing both operational and partnership leadership.
• The post-holder will oversee the successful functioning of the Council’s community safety responsibilities, including anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse, Prevent and Channel, CCTV, community wardens.
• The postholder will drive forward partnership working across the county to prevent people from harm and keep residents safe, in close liaison with TVP police as well as many other partners externally and internally.

For further information on this role please see the attached job summary.

About you

This is a unique role for someone who has the skills and ambition to navigate and work across service areas to maximise safety in the county

Demonstrates experience of leading complex community safety projects, partnership working and strong operational management skills.

Extensive and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of community safety, including the policy, practices, procedures, legislation and major issues facing it.

A track record of developing and delivering strategies within a complex local government or public‑sector environment.

The postholder should have excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, with proven ability to communicate effectively and persuasively to a wide range of audiences both horizontally and vertically throughout the organisation.

Other information

How the team are currently working in office/work from home arrangements:

The team currently work flexibly and there is the expectation that the post holder will be on site in Buckinghamshire at least 2 days a week with a contracted base in Aylesbury.

Closing date: Tuesday 11th August 2026

If you would like to have an informal conversation with the recruiting manager, please contact: Sara Turnbull, Service Director - [email protected]

This post is politically restricted under the terms of the Local Government Act 1989.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Our values

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/