Strategy Delivery Manager Review

In my role I work across various functions within the corporate centre, this includes:- managing performance on behalf of the organisation through corporate indicators and performance boards, leading delivery of the Bolton Vision strategy which is the high level outcomes for Bolton, through strategic partnership work and engagement, delivering corporate contracts, overseeing the development and delivery of the Councils Corporate Plan and wider business plans.

Since undertaking this apprenticeship, I have been able to broaden my views and perspective on things, for example prior to the managing and leading people unit, I was fairly rigid in my style, however following this unit I have been able to consider a wide range of approaches to take, opting for a combination of soft and hard HR skills. Equally, as a result of this apprenticeship, I have seen a drastic improvement in my written work which is particularity important as I write several reports.

The programme has been enjoyable, albeit I imagine this would have been a different experience had it not been for the pandemic. By undertaking this programme alongside a full-time job, this has given me a real view of what methodologies and approaches work and what does not work in my job. I also enjoyed being able to rewatch sessions on Teams, sometimes it can be quite difficult to absorb all the information at once, by having the sessions to rewatch this helped me to consider things I might have missed.

Initially when the programme commenced, the software used by the MMU was not effective, however when we moved to Teams this improved. Also it would have been nice to have a bit of space between units. For the last year, as one unit ended the next one commenced, so if I you had an extension, this would mean you were working on two assignments at the same time.

My employer was very supportive of my apprenticeship, if I felt there were any gaps between my work and the apprenticeship, my manager would seek out opportunities for me to engage in pieces of work to fill these gaps. Also, my manager ensured I had enough on/off the job training throughout the course of the apprenticeship.

Across the apprenticeship for each unit, I felt I had the support of my tutors and if i felt there was anything I was unsure of or needed extra support with I was able to freely ask them and have a conversation. Also, having different tutors meant each tutor had a slightly different style which gave me a broader view of how to present information.

By undertaking this degree apprenticeship, this has given me a broader range of skills to support me in delivery of my role. Since starting this qualification I have been promoted and given a management qualification. This has armed me with skills to apply to this role and support me in managing my staff.

The council holds various events throughout the year which as an employee I am able to get involved with. This includes participating and supporting the Bolton Food and Drink Festival, Ironman, Winter festival and other various events. They also hold activities such as rounders matches for charities which I am able to join.

Yes

Working at the Council is an opportunity to see how the work you do impacts the town. Right from the bottom all the way up everyone working for the Council is contributing actively to Bolton2030 and delivering against the outcomes for the town. There are also benefits such as local government pension, hybrid working, flexi-time and the apprenticeship levy.

Read up on the Bolton Vision, Corporate Plan and relate to what it is the Council is trying to achieve. Often there is a misconception with local government that there is an unlimited amount of resource when in reality this resource has been dwindling for years so what we set out to achieve is often more difficult than it might appear. Equally, demonstrate competencies as described in the Values and Behaviours framework.