Service Director for Strategy, Transformation and Commissioning.

The Opportunity

As part of our continued dedication to improving outcomes across our borough, we are seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to join our Department Leadership Team (DLT) within Children’s services.

We have an excellent opportunity available for a Service Director (Strategy, Transformation and Commissioning) to join us on a full time, permanent basis.

As the Service Director of Strategy, Transformation and Commissioning, you will lead on the development and delivery of our strategy, oversee transformational change, and ensure that services are effectively commissioned to meet the needs of children, young people and families.

You will provide strategic senior level leadership, guidance and support to operational managers working across Strategy, Transformation and Commissioning within Children’s Services. The aim is to provide efficient and effective services that support the department’s delivery on the strategic priorities of Children’s Services, as well as the wider corporate delivery plan.

The role will drive the transformation programme for Children’s Services and will have responsibility for the development and delivery of our efficiency programme. This includes cross directorate coordination and accountability for the delivery of fundamental transformational benefits across the Social Care & Education system.

Our Vision

As part of our vision across Children’s Services, we are delighted to continue building a permanent senior leadership team, to deliver key strategic improvements across our services. Our Social Workers feel well supported by visible leaders, managers and peers, with some staff having actively chosen to work in Wokingham because they appreciate the bespoke approach that makes them feel valued.

Ofsted feedback March 2024: “Senior leaders, including the leader of the council, the lead member and the chief executive, have worked together effectively to improve the experiences and progress of children and to secure the investment required to enable the progress to continue. The quality assurance framework has been reviewed and updated, with a clear focus on improving the quality of supervision.”

The Person

As our Service Director of Strategy, Transformation and Commissioning, you will be a confident leader with experience of inspiring change and developing high performing teams, to positively impact and improve outcomes for children and their families.

Your visible leadership will impact beyond individual service areas and organisational boundaries to create solutions, build relationships, and inspire ideas that span the entire system across education and social care to build credibility with parents, partners, schools, the local community, and Ofsted.

Benefits

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

1. A generous annual leave entitlement of 31 days (rising to 36 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays
2. Enrolment to an excellent local government pension scheme
3. An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline
4. A range of local & lifestyle discounts
5. Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)
6. Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes
7. And much more!

Our Area

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We’re home to a range of high performing schools including 69 primary and 21 secondary, a host of international businesses and an incredible increasingly diverse community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

We are looking for authentic and engaging individuals with a passion for making a positive impact on children, young people and their families. So, if you’re currently a Service Director or looking for an opportunity to develop and step up into a new role, we’d be delighted to hear from you.

Click the link below and apply today!

Alternatively, for more information or to arrange an informal discussion with Emma Cockerell, Director of Children’s Services, please contact Lee Partridge or Mathilda Barker from the Recruitment Team on

Closing Date: Sunday 9th March 2025, 11pm

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.
If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.
Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.
Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr