At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Corporate Director of Children's Services with high-level executive tasks and decision-making.
- Company: Join Croydon Council, dedicated to making a positive impact on children and families.
- Benefits: Enjoy 32 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Work in a collaborative environment focused on community engagement and positive change.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of strategic leadership and help shape services for young people.
- Qualifications: Experience in executive support, strong organisational skills, and excellent communication abilities.
The predicted salary is between 50085 - 52194 £ per year.
- Salary range: Grade 12 £50,085 - £52,194 p. a. plus fantastic benefits
- Hours of work: 36 hours per week
The opportunity
We are looking for an experienced Executive Officer to directly support the Corporate Director of Children, Young People & Education.
Are you an exceptional organiser who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys working at the heart of strategic decision-making?
Croydon Council is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Executive Officer to provide high-level executive support to the Corporate Director of Children's Services.
This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in supporting the leadership of services that make a real difference to the lives of children, young people and families across the borough.
As Executive Officer, you will be at the centre of the Directorate, ensuring the Corporate Director's office operates efficiently, responsively and professionally.
You will manage competing priorities, coordinate governance activity, prepare high-quality briefings and reports, and act as a trusted link between senior leaders, Members, corporate services and external partners.
No two days are the same.
You'll be required to exercise sound judgement, manage sensitive information with discretion, anticipate issues before they arise and ensure that key priorities and actions are delivered on time.
About The Role
You will
- Provide high-level, confidential support to the Corporate Director of Children's Services.
- Manage a complex diary, inbox and correspondence, ensuring priorities are effectively coordinated.
- Prepare briefings, reports, presentations and meeting papers to support informed decision-making.
- Coordinate and track actions arising from senior leadership, governance and partnership meetings.
- Support the preparation and quality assurance of Cabinet, Scrutiny, Directorate and corporate reports.
- Maintain oversight of key deadlines, priorities and forward plans.
- Build productive working relationships with senior officers, Members and colleagues across the Council.
- Help drive delivery of directorate priorities by monitoring progress, highlighting risks and supporting improvement activity.
- Lead and support Executive Support Officers where applicable.
About You
- Significant experience providing executive support to a senior leader within a complex organisation.
- Experience managing demanding diaries, inboxes and competing priorities with minimal supervision.
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including drafting briefings and correspondence for senior audiences.
- Experience supporting senior leadership and governance meetings.
- The ability to analyse information, identify key issues and present concise recommendations.
- Strong stakeholder management skills and the confidence to work with senior leaders, elected Members and external partners.
- A high degree of discretion, integrity and political awareness.
Why join us?
This role offers the opportunity to work alongside the Corporate Director of Children's Services at the heart of strategic leadership and decision-making.
You'll gain a unique insight into how Children's Services operates, contribute to high-profile priorities and play a key role in supporting outcomes for children and families across Croydon.
- A pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 20%
- 32 days’ annual leave in addition to Bank Holidays
- Investment into your staff well-being
- Great team ethos
- The culture at Croydon is very much about working together to make positive change
- Will have the opportunity to work from home and work flexibly which provides you with more of a work-life balance.
If you are proactive, resilient and thrive in a challenging but rewarding environment, we'd love to hear from you.
- Recruitment and selection timeline
- The closing date for applications is 31st August 2026.
- Shortlisting will take place 01 September 2026
- Interviews will take place in person at Bernard Wetherill House on w/c 31 st August 2026
About Us
- Croydon Council’s priorities
- Get a grip on the finances and make the council financially sustainable
- Become a council which listens to, respects and works in partnership with Croydon’s diverse communities and businesses
- Strengthen collaboration and joint working with partner organisations and the voluntary, community and faith sectors
- Ensure good governance is embedded and adopt best practice
- Develop our workforce to deliver in a manner that respects the diversity of our communities
- Key Business Plan Outcomes
- Croydon is a place of opportunity for business, earning and learning
- Children and young people in Croydon have the chance to thrive, learn and fulfil their potential
- Croydon is a cleaner, safer and healthier place, a borough we’re proud to call home
- People can lead healthier and independent lives for longer
- Croydon Council’s new ways of working
- Equal Opportunities Statement
Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time.
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.
Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
The Successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, if the role requires one.
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Executive Officer employer: Croydon Council
Croydon Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work environment where compassion and community service are at the forefront. As a Resource Officer at the South London Coroner’s Court, you will not only play a vital role in assisting bereaved families but also benefit from flexible working options and opportunities for professional growth within a diverse and inclusive team. The council values its employees, providing a meaningful career path in public service that truly makes a difference in people's lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Officer
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
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✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like Croydon Council.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
When reaching out to potential employers, particularly for leadership roles, demonstrate your leadership capabilities with real examples. Share stories from your previous positions that illustrate how you handled challenges and drove results. This will help you stand out when you apply to places like Croydon Council.
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We think you need these skills to ace Executive Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to Croydon Council.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Croydon Council. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Croydon Council
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Croydon Council, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at Croydon Council, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for Croydon Council could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at Croydon Council as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
