What We Do: Emily Schofield, Head of Public Affairs and Strategy, Oxfordshire County Council

Describe your typical working day in 2-3 sentences.  

No two days are quite the same, but each typically involves strategic thinking, problem-solving, and translating complex policy into something actionable. The most rewarding part of my day is working with a wide range of colleagues and partners, helping me connect the dots to navigate competing priorities, shape decisions, and keep major work moving forward. And while I start each day with a to-do list, there’s always the inevitable “can you just…” that keeps things interesting. 

What projects are you most enthusiastic about right now?  

I’m particularly enthusiastic about the work we’re doing on budget setting. With greater certainty coming through the Fair Funding Review, we’re reshaping business planning, taking a genuinely collaborative and innovative approach to preparing budgets. Alongside that, I’m strengthening our strategic planning and internal governance arrangements. Less glamorous at first glance, but critical to making better, faster decisions. 

What are the key opportunities and/or challenges this year/upcoming period?  

The biggest opportunity is Local Government Reorganisation. It represents one of the most significant changes to the sector in decades, and a real chance to rethink how we deliver services for residents. As a sector, we often talk about holistic service design as the answer to a number of ‘wicked’ problems, and this feels like a once-in-a-career opportunity to reshape local government for the 21st century. The challenge is doing that while managing significant financial pressures and continuing to maintain high-quality services. But that’s the balance we all know, and manage, well! 

Image Credit: Photo by Matt Seymour on Unsplash.

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