Head of Intelligence & Insight

Are you looking for a role where you can help shape something new, make a visible difference and work alongside people who care deeply about their place? We are building a new Combined County Authority for Hampshire and the Solent, bringing together partners across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton to bring investment to the region and to create opportunities for our people, places, communities and businesses.

The Head of Intelligence & Insight is HSCCA’s senior professional lead for research, data, analysis, and evidence. The postholder holds organisation-wide responsibility for developing and maintaining HSCCA’s intelligence system, ensuring that strategic decisions, policies, and investments are grounded in robust, forward-looking evidence.

The role will build and lead a significant, integrated function covering research, forecasting, horizon scanning, evaluation and insight. It provides authoritative advice to the Corporate Director of Devolution and Corporate Strategy, Executive team, the Mayor (when elected) and HSCCA Board, shaping policy and strategy across all HSCCA portfolios.

You will provide:

• Strategic Leadership - Lead the development and delivery of HSCCA’s Intelligence & Insight function, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities, statutory requirements, and regional ambitions.
• Act as HSCCA’s senior professional lead for research, analysis, forecasting, and evidence, setting organisation-wide standards, methodologies, and ethical principles.
• Provide authoritative advice and assurance to the Corporate Director, Executive Team, Mayor, Board and Councillors on complex analytical issues, risks, and opportunities.
• Shape HSCCA’s strategic policy development by embedding robust evidence, horizon scanning, and long-term trend analysis.
• Anticipate external economic, demographic, technological, and policy developments and incorporate these into long-term strategic planning.
• Evidence, Insight & Analytical Leadership - Lead the development of HSCCA’s evidence base, including data systems, analytical models, forecasting tools, and performance frameworks.
• Lead complex analytical problem-solving, including scenario modelling, impact assessments, and strategic forecasting across the HSCCA’s areas of competence.
• Leadership & Resource Management - Build and lead a multidisciplinary intelligence function, including research, analysis, evaluation and insight.
• Provide professional oversight, leadership, and mentoring to the Intelligence & Partnership & System Leadership - Lead strategic engagement with constituent authorities, other Mayoral Strategic Authorities, government departments, academic institutions, and analytical
• Governance, Risk & Assurance - Maintain robust governance arrangements for research, analysis, and evidence-based decision-making.

We’re looking for someone with:

• Extensive experience leading research, intelligence, or analytical functions.
• Proven ability to lead complex analytical programmes with organisation-wide impact.
• Expert knowledge of research methods, data analysis, forecasting and evaluation.
• Experience advising senior leaders and political stakeholders (Councillors, MPs) in high-profile environments.
• Experience building multi-agency analytical partnerships and influencing national or regional policy.
• Strong understanding of public sector data standards, ethical research principles, and evidence-based policymaking.
• Ability to set and deliver organisation-wide intelligence strategy and operating models.
• Proven ability to write and present complex, sensitive, high-impact reports to a range of audiences in an accessible way.
• Use public money responsibly and make evidence-based decisions.

We are building the HSCCA on the basis that how we work is as important as what we deliver. We want people who bring enthusiasm, drive, and authenticity - who are proactive, open to challenge, and motivated by progress rather than process. We value collaborative leadership: the ability to bring people together across organisational boundaries, respect the expertise of others, and create shared direction without needing to own everything.

This is a complex, fast-moving environment. We need people who are energised by that.

Our reward package includes:

• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), with a current employer contribution rate of 18.1%, life cover and family benefits, flexible retirement options, and the opportunity to make Additional Voluntary Contributions.
• A competitive salary and generous annual leave allowance, in addition to public holidays:
• Grades T/A–E: 30 days, increasing to 32 days after five years’ service
• Grades F–K: 32 days, increasing to 34 days after five years’ service
• Health and wellbeing support from November 2026, including online GP access seven days a week, an Employee Assistance Programme, confidential counselling and wellbeing resources.
• Perkbox benefits from November 2026, including retail and lifestyle discounts, savings on home electronics, a Cycle to Work scheme, health and wellbeing offers, and financial wellbeing resources.

The HSCCA is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone feels valued and able to thrive.

We are committed to removing barriers to employment. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know so that we can support you.

As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we run a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants. If you meet the essential criteria listed in the job description for this position and would like to be considered under this scheme, please state this in your application.

We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment. As part of this, we use anonymous shortlisting to ensure candidates are assessed solely on their skills, experience, and suitability for the role.