Director of People & Transformation at
Southend on Sea City Council
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Thank you for your interest in working for Southend-on-Sea City Council. Now, you might have already formed a view about how things are here, but I would like to share my personal experience of working for this city.
Southend-on-Sea is truly one-of-a-kind. Of course, I had expected the expansive waterfront and the rich cultural history, but what I have found is so much more besides. This is an optimistic and up-beat place. People who have lived here for all their lives as well as those who have been drawn here through work, leisure or family speak enthusiastically about a sense of community, a feeling of belonging, of a connected city on a very human level. There is a pride in living in Southend and working for the city that you don’t find in many other places.
Our Transformation agenda is emerging. Our narrative is shifting from making difficult financial cuts to balance our budget, to embracing a programme of change that improves outcomes for our residents, modernises services and makes the council an interesting and exciting place to work.
If you thought it was all work and no play, I should also mention that there is always something going on in Southend-on-Sea, the Southend City Jam returned for its third year after being the biggest street art festival in Europe in 2023. Alongside this we partner with event organisers such as the Lazydays Festival to bring an exciting and modern event scene to the city. We also ensure that our communities are at the heart of our thinking, the Southend Halloween Parade in October is a highlight for residents with local groups and Schools being at the fore of its content.
These events, along with many others, showcase the vibrant and dynamic spirit of our city. But there is plenty more opportunity to build on this and promote opportunities to allow the city to thrive as a cultural, commercial, successful, and connected place to live and visit.
I hope that you decide to make an application, and I look forward to meeting you later in the process.
Claire Shuter
Executive Director Strategy and Change
