Job Introduction
Head of Corporate Development
We are welcoming applications for the role of Head of Corporate Development with Devon & Cornwall Police based at the following location(s): Police Headquarters, Exeter
Salary: Grade 12 - Starts at £75,201 rising by yearly increments to a maximum of £84,534 per annum
Please note that the above salary is based on working 37 hours per week. If this role is part-time or you are appointed on a part-time basis your salary will be prorated to reflect this. Exceptions to starting salary may apply if you are an existing Devon and Cornwall or Dorset Police Staff employee substantively posted to a role at the same grade.
Type of employment: Permanent
Type of working arrangement: Hybrid Worker - Hybrid working is a form of flexible working where workers spend some of their time working remotely (usually, but not necessarily, from home) and some in the employer's workspace.
Hours per week: this role is 37 hours per week. However we welcome applications from individuals wishing to work on a part-time basis and are willing to consider flexible working patterns subject to business need.
Allowances: This role attracts no allowances.
About the role:
Devon & Cornwall Police is establishing a new Corporate Development Department and is seeking an experienced and visionary leader to serve as its inaugural head. This senior role will be responsible for shaping the department’s strategic direction, coordinating organisational delivery and overseeing improvement activity across both operational and enabling services. The post holder will work closely with the Chief Constable, Deputy Chief Constable and Executive Team and will represent the Force with key external partners including HMICFRS, the OPCC and national policing bodies. The role also provides direct strategic support to the Chief Constable, leads the Executive Staff Office, and oversees culture, inclusion, analytics and business intelligence functions.
The successful candidate will guide the development and delivery of the Force’s strategic business plan and ensure that decision-making is informed by evidence, insight and strategic risk. They will manage inspection, audit and assurance activity, coordinate organisational learning and continuous improvement, and provide clear reporting for scrutiny and public accountability. The role also requires strong leadership of governance frameworks, ensuring the Force has effective structures that support planning, prioritisation and compliance, and that corporate services work together to achieve shared aims. This is a significant organisational leadership role with direct impact on reputation, performance and long-term planning.
About You
Applicants should be educated to postgraduate degree level or have equivalent experience in a relevant field. They must bring substantial senior-level experience in strategic planning and corporate coordination within a complex organisation, including planning and delivering long-term organisational direction. Strong knowledge of public sector governance, planning cycles, resource management and performance measurement is essential. Applicants must have a proven ability to use data, analytics and performance insight to shape strategic decisions. They should also have senior business management experience leading multi-disciplinary teams, along with the ability to influence at executive level, build productive relationships and work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders.
Success in this role requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills. The post holder must be able to set out a clear vision, translate strategic aims into practical plans and communicate confidently across the organisation and with external partners. Skilled stakeholder engagement, professional credibility and the ability to work in a high-paced, regulated and scrutinised environment are critical. Please note, candidates are only required to evidence 6 out of 11 role profile essential criteria in their application. The remaining criteria will be tested at the assessment day.
What We Offer
This is a rare opportunity to shape the future direction of policing across Devon and Cornwall. We offer a supportive environment, flexible working and the chance to contribute meaningfully to public service.
Starting salary will be negotiable and dependent on the successful candidate’s knowledge, experience and demonstrating high calibre of talent and potential to significantly improve service delivery.
Relocation allowance will be considered.
Want to know more about this role?
Further detail regarding this role and the essential requirements can be found within the role profile attached below.
If you think this may be the role for you and would like further information, please contact:
Hiring Line Manager: Zoe Parnell - Chief Inspector - Chief Officer Group Support
Email Address: zoe.parnell@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
Telephone Number: Not available
What you get if you join us:
If you work for us, you will get access to:
- A competitive salary with yearly increments.
- 25 days a year leave entitlement, with an increase to 30 days after 5 years continuous employment, plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time workers).
- Access to heavily subsidised gym membership that will provide you access to police site gyms throughout the counties.
- Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme for discounts and services (requires a one off payment of £5).
- Company sick pay.
- Competitive local government pension scheme.
- Job related equipment, as required.
- Free onsite parking at many police sites throughout the counties.
- Access to Group insurance scheme (via salary sacrifice scheme).
- Support networks, free Employees Assistance Programme, Occupational Health and wellbeing services.
- Development and training opportunities.
- Supportive and flexible training plan, including regular check-ins throughout your initial period of joining us to ensure you are up to speed with the role and getting the support you need.
- Flexitime, with the ability to undertake your hours flexibly and in line with business need.
- Hybrid working, with the ability to work remotely at times throughout the working week (once signed off the training plan).
Role Profile: Head of Corporate Development.docx – 106KB Opens in a new window
Converted File Head of Corporate Development.docx.pdf – 123KB Opens in a new window
Competency and Values Framework (CVF)Level 3: click this link for details of the CVF level for this specific role.
Recruitment process
Additional Information
Additional document(s): Head of Corporate Development Recruitment brochure.pdf – 2044KB Opens in a new window
Political Restrictions: Under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 this post is politically restricted. A politically restricted post prevents an individual from having any active political role either in or outside the workplace and will automatically be disqualified from standing for or holding elected office. They are also restricted from canvassing on behalf of a political party or a person who is or seeks to be a candidate and speaking to the public at large or publishing any written or artistic work that could give the impression that they are advocating support for a political party. For more information, please visit our website or see Alliance PSD20 Working Practice via SharePoint.
Application Stage:
To apply for this role, please follow this link Head of Corporate Development, you will then be taken to a registration page. Please complete this registration form to create an account, once created you will be taken to the application.
Already have an account? If you have previously created an account, please follow this link Login - Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police Once logged in, you will be taken to the application.
Once registered, you will have to complete an eligibility form to apply. If eligible you will move to the application form stage where you will evidence your suitability for this post. The closing date for applications is 29/01/2026, 12:00.
Selection Stage:
The selection for this role will consist of Shortlisting, Interview and Assessment .
Applications will be anonymised and then shortlisted by the shortlisting panel. Following the shortlisting you will be notified of the recruitment decision via email along with feedback on your application.
If successful, you will then be invited to an interview. This will be based on the Competency Values Framework at Level 1, 2 or 3 as detailed in the role profile/job description and additional CVF document.
The interview process is due to take place week commencing .
Some roles may also require an assessment. Further information on this will be provided following the shortlisting process. The assessment date will be on if applicable.
Pre-requisites:
If you are successful through the selection stage of the recruitment process, we will make a conditional offer of appointment and commence pre-requisite checks. These checks can include:
- Vetting checks,
- Reference checks,
- Medical assessment,
- Qualification review,
- Right to Work checks.
A formal offer of appointment and start date will not be agreed until all checks are satisfactorily completed. If you are successful at the selection stage your conditional offer will outline which of these checks are applicable to you.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
The application system only remains active on a single page for a period of 60 minutes.
Please ensure you allow time to complete your application fully as part complete pages do not save.
If the role has evidence questions you are required to complete in the application form, you may wish to complete these remotely and then paste your answers into the boxes at time of submission. Please note, each evidence criterion is set to a maximum of 2000 characters.
We welcome the use of AI responsibly and ethically to demonstrate your skills in your application, but please don’t allow it to overshadow your own unique voice. While we appreciate innovative approaches, we also value authenticity. Our assessment considers the content of the application and the skills you demonstrate, ensuring fairness and inclusivity for all applicants. At the end of the day – we want YOU to work for us!
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