Stephen Moir
Director of People and Policy
Cambridgeshire County Council
What made you choose the Public Sector?
I tried the private sector for a while and just didn't get it. Being part of a business that exists to create profit or increased shareholder returns just didn't float my boat. Being part of an organisation where you connect directly with communities and can see and feel the differences that your work makes is much more satisfying in my opinion. I also enjoy the diversity of working in an organisation where you don't just produce or deliver one service - working in a local authority you work alongside teachers, social workers, engineers, planners to name a few.
How did you get there?
I've followed a fairly traditional HR career, starting out as a Personnel Assistant (when HR was still called Personnel) and then have been fortunate enough to be able to progress within different organisations taking on bigger roles and new challenges. Having worked in "pure" HR roles until 2007 I found that I had the opportunity to move into a director role responsible for workforce, pensions and organisational development issues, but also responsible for corporate policy and strategy, strategic partnerships, diversity and communications/marketing - I haven't looked back since. In terms of how I've been able to get to this position, I think this has been a combination of factors, but the most important one is that I work hard and play hard. Having a healthy balance between your working life and your 'real' life is essential - after all, you work to live, not live to work! The other point is that I've been lucky enough to work with some of the most fantastic leaders and professionals in a range of organisations, I've been able to learn loads from them throughout my career and continue to do so today. My thought on why I'm in the job I am is that I've always been to be prepared to volunteer for things outside my HR background and get involved in all sorts of programmes, projects and working groups, this has allowed me to broaden my knowledge and experience, but has also helped me to develop my professional and personal networks both within and outside my organisation.
What does your job involve?
On a day to day basis, most of my job is about providing direction, leadership and support to my team and acting as an advisor to County Councillors and the Strategic Management Team on the range of issues that my directorate covers. No two days are the same. One moment I can be handling a media enquiry another I'll be chairing a programme board dealing with multi-million pound commercial negotiations. I suppose my honest view on what my job involves is a lot of general management and performance management issues looking into the Council and then acting as an ambassador and representative for the Council externally. Ultimately, my job is about alignment. With my 'Policy' hat on, I support the County Council with identifying and shaping its priorities for services through our integrated planning process and then with my 'People' hat on ensure that our workforce is lined up to deliver these priorities.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
It might sound really old-fashioned, but the thing I enjoy most about my job are the people I work with on a day to day basis - people make places special and I'm lucky enough to work not only in a great place, but with the best people!
What has been your greatest achievement within your career?
I've been privileged to be involved in a range of achievements, none of which could have been delivered without the great teams involved. There are two things that I'm especially proud about: 1) being part of the South Tyneside Council Team that helped it to move directly from a 'Fair' to 'Excellent' Audit Commission rating - a unique achievement. 2) Being nominated by members of the team I work with for the Personnel Today Top 40 'Power Players' and being listed in the top 40 for 2007. This was as much a recognition of the team I work with but I'm really proud about this because I was nominated by them - which made me feel really humble.
What are your aspirations for the future?
To continue to enjoy what I'm doing, maintain a good work/life balance and remain as passionate about public service tomorrow, as I am today - beyond that I don't have a particular job in mind or any desire to move from my current role - but who knows what tomorrow will bring?
What advice would you give to those interested in a management or executive career within the public sector?
Just do it! The public sector is a great place to work, offers real challenge, opportunities to make changes and improve services and most importantly means you have a chance to make a real and meaningful impact upon the quality of life for people.
www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk