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- Tasks: Lead and innovate frontline services that impact residents' daily lives.
- Company: Public sector organisation dedicated to community service in Ballymena.
- Benefits: Earn £36.30 per hour on a 6-month temporary contract.
- Other info: Dynamic role with potential evening and weekend work; strong career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Degree-level qualification and significant management experience required.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 75000 £ per year.
A public sector organisation is recruiting for a Head of Neighbourhood Services based in Ballymena.
As Head of Neighbourhood Services, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across a diverse portfolio of frontline services that are central to residents' everyday lives. Reporting to a Director-level post, you will be responsible for translating corporate priorities into effective service delivery, while driving performance, efficiency and innovation. You will lead large operational teams and oversee externally delivered contracts, ensuring services are high-performing, customer-focused and financially sustainable.
A key part of the role will involve contributing to organisation-wide transformation, working across departments, and supporting elected representatives through the provision of high-quality professional advice and robust reporting. This is a senior leadership role requiring visibility, resilience and strong political awareness, with responsibility for service planning, performance management, risk and compliance, people leadership and partnership working at both local and regional level. Due to the operational nature of the services, some evening and weekend work might be required as needs dictate.
To be successful in this role, you will be an experienced senior leader with a strong track record in an operational service delivery environment. You will demonstrate:
- A degree-level qualification (or equivalent experience) alongside significant management experience within complex, customer-facing operations
- Proven leadership of large, multidisciplinary teams, including performance management, workforce planning and organisational change
- Experience developing and delivering strategic service plans aligned to wider corporate or organisational objectives
- Strong financial and resource management skills, including budget oversight and value-for-money decision-making
- Experience managing contractors, suppliers or commissioned services
- A clear understanding of governance, risk management and statutory compliance within a public-sector or similarly regulated environment
- The ability to operate confidently within a political or stakeholder-rich setting, providing sound, balanced advice at senior level
- Excellent communication, influencing and partnership-working skills
- A leadership style that promotes accountability, inclusivity, resilience and continuous improvement
Applicants will also need access to suitable transport to meet the operational requirements of the role.
£36.30 per hour, Ballymena based, 6-month temporary contract, 37 hours per week.
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Head of Neighbourhood Services in Ballymena employer: HAYS Specialist Recruitment
Contact Detail:
HAYS Specialist Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Neighbourhood Services in Ballymena
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the public sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Head of Neighbourhood Services role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation's current projects and challenges. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely understands their needs and can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style! Be ready to discuss how you've led large teams and managed complex operations in the past. Use specific examples to illustrate your ability to drive performance and foster a culture of accountability and inclusivity.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any help with your application or interview prep.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Neighbourhood Services in Ballymena
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your leadership experience and operational service delivery background to show us you're the right fit for the Head of Neighbourhood Services role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven performance and innovation in previous positions, and how you can bring that expertise to our organisation.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, emphasise your leadership style and how it promotes accountability and inclusivity. We want to see how you’ve successfully led large teams and managed change in complex environments.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at HAYS Specialist Recruitment
✨Know Your Neighbourhood Services
Before the interview, dive deep into the specific neighbourhood services your potential employer manages. Understand their current challenges and successes. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you tailor your responses to demonstrate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a senior leader, it's crucial to articulate your leadership style clearly. Prepare examples of how you've led large teams through change, focusing on inclusivity and resilience. Be ready to discuss how you foster accountability and continuous improvement within your teams.
✨Master Financial Management Talk
Given the financial oversight required for this role, brush up on your financial management skills. Be prepared to discuss your experience with budget oversight and value-for-money decision-making. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've successfully managed resources in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Political Awareness Questions
This role requires strong political awareness, so anticipate questions about navigating stakeholder relationships. Think of scenarios where you've provided balanced advice in politically sensitive situations. Highlight your communication and influencing skills to demonstrate your capability in this area.