About the role

When you join us in this important role, you’ll be a senior member of our Strategic Leadership Team and work with colleagues to develop strategies and commission outcomes that make Worcestershire a great place to live, work and do business for all our communities, citizens, and businesses. Transitioning the Company back to the Council will be a key requirement helping to inspire and influence key leaders, decision makers and the workforce whilst operating in a challenging financial environment helping to create innovative solutions to the issues we face.

You’ll have a number of specific tasks that include ensuring the Council complies with its statutory obligations and guidance relating to children and young people including education and SEND, instilling a culture of high performance and child-centred practice. Providing Members with timely and relevant reports and advice to enable them to make decisions that are well informed, clear, and implemented effectively, you’ll also develop policy proposals which deliver positive solutions that meet the challenges facing Children’s Services.

You’ll have a wide range of additional responsibilities – these include allocating financial resources in a way that provides value for money, delivering a commercial and outcome-focused approach to managing providers, and developing new markets. Committed to acting as a strong advocate for children, young people, and families in Worcestershire, and making sure their voices are heard and taken into account when developing strategies and commissioning outcomes, you will also continually create opportunities to those you supervise to work in partnership with relevant agencies.

About you

With extensive understanding of the complexities involved in delivering high quality children’s services, you’ll have proven strategic leadership experience with an organisation of similar size and complexity to ours. It’s important that you’re familiar with children’s social care, education and the health sector. You will have a strong record of achievement in complex political environments, you’ll be an inspirational communicator and capable of extending and improving the Council's profile.

With the skills required to deliver our ambition to be an excellent commissioning organisation while managing the strategic challenges of the role, you’ll be ready to support the devolution of decision-making and services delivery to a more local level. Committed to encouraging a strong customer focus, you’ll also possess strong commercial and financial management skills and be dedicated to continuous improvement and the encouragement of innovation.

With the vision to inspire and empower the Council to achieve its objectives, you’ll have a motivational approach to people management, one that demonstrates a balance between direction, empowerment, and assertiveness. Capable of building productive relationships with Members and acting with sensitivity and diplomacy, you’ll be decisive when required, but always courteous when dealing with conflict. Resilient and calm under pressure, you’ll also be ready to demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity.
 

Location: Worcester
Salary: £124,342 - £136,582

At Worcestershire County Council you’ll enjoy a fascinating career with an organisation that always strives for excellence, both for our local residents and our staff. As such, we can offer you plenty of professional support and development opportunities, underpinned by a great work-life balance and a highly competitive benefits package. We’re an equal opportunities employer, and welcome applications from all suitable candidates, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age.