Director of Neighbourhood Services and Communities

Director of Neighbourhood Services and Communities

Vacancy type Permanent full time Salary £88,702 to £95,876 per annum Closing date 02 November 2025

Vacancy Number MDC001894

Hours: 37

Grade: N

Location: This role provides remote and flexible working, office attendance is required for 3 or more days a week, subject to business need.

Overview

An overview of the opportunity: Local government is going through the biggest changes the sector has seen in fifty years with the introduction of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. As part of the government’s devolution priority programme the Essex system will be preparing to implement local government reorganisation (LGR) over the next two and a half years. Working strategically and collaboratively across the region with colleagues from other districts and the county council will be essential. During this time we will also need to deliver high quality services to our residents and communities as business as usual needs to continue.

This is therefore an exciting time to join the new Senior Leadership Team here at Maldon District Council. We have recently undergone a restructure of the senior team to put us in the best possible position to meet these challenges and deliver what our residents need and expect.

Maldon District Council are seeking an exceptional leader to join their new senior leadership team as Director of Neighbourhood Services and Communities, a strategic role with wide-reaching influence across the Council’s most community-facing services. This role oversees a diverse portfolio including responsibility for the front line services of Waste Collection and Recycling, Street Cleaning, Parks and Cemeteries, Environmental Health, Climate, Community Safety and Customer Services, Assets, Coast and Countryside services, Capital Projects (including S106) and Contracts, Events and Leisure Services, Health & Safety, Facilities Services, and Emergency Planning.

As Director, you will provide strong visible leadership, support and constructively challenge others to foster a collaborative culture built on openness and shared knowledge. You will have significant experience in dealing with elected Members demonstrating confidence, professionalism, and the ability to influence and engage at a strategic level. Your ability to drive performance, innovation and continuous improvement through strategic leadership is vital to move forward on cross-cutting initiatives and mobilising talent across the Council. You’ll play a proactive role in shaping and delivering the organisation’s strategic plans and policies, while developing strong partnerships and stakeholder relationships to achieve the shared vision and priorities. By joining our team you’ll work in a dynamic role that blends flexibility with collaboration. This position leads on local service delivery and significant member engagement and therefore requires strong visible leadership and thus in office/ on site attendance of generally circa three days per week so please only apply if you\’re able to meet this requirement.

Accountabilities – Service Delivery

• Lead on the delivery and management of a group of services within the directorate, ensuring that agreed outcomes are achieved through effective management against key performance measures, legal requirements and council policies. Transforming those services through technology and innovation, focusing on integration, business process redesign, self-service, robust project management and modernisation to reduce costs and enhance customer experiences and enable the customers to self-serve where possible
• Ensure there is professional advice and guidance provided across all service areas within the scope of the role including preparing and presenting reports as required for council meetings
• Ensure service structures are fit for purpose and that service and workforce planning is aligned to and supports the Corporate Plan and organisational priorities/policies
• Ensure that all services comply with relevant statutory duties and legislative frameworks applicable to the Council
• Ensure services have in place effective health and safety management systems that align with organisational policies and fulfil legal responsibilities
• Set a visible standard by actively supporting equality, diversity and inclusion across all areas of work and service provision
• Ensure the services/teams led have a focus on the needs of residents and the district to turn this into evidence based, outcome focused corporate strategies, plans and policies
• Lead on health and community safety for the Council
• Lead on Emergency Planning for the Council

The Experience You Will Bring

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in delivering neighbourhood, place-based, and customer services, with a proven track record of senior leadership across complex and multi-disciplinary environments and significant elected Member experience. They will have evidence of leading high-performing, customer-facing teams and championed strategic projects, demonstrating strong financial acumen and effective risk management. Skilled in cross-functional collaboration, they will be skilled at providing expert advice to diverse audiences, including elected members. Experience in developing corporate strategies, managing staff in line with HR policies, and fostering a culture of respect and integrity.

The ideal candidate should hold a degree or equivalent experience in relevant fields, possess a recognised professional qualification, demonstrate ongoing professional development, and ideally have a management or leadership qualification such as ILM Level 5 or higher.

Be part of Maldon District Council – \’Where Quality of Life Matters\’

Maldon District Council is a local authority \”Where quality of life matters\”. Our Corporate Plan sets out our vision and priorities for the next three years and will be reviewed regularly to make sure we are on the right track. Using a range of data and what we know about the needs of our residents, we have set out what we will be doing and what we aim to achieve between now and 2028. It is also a useful tool that helps with decision-making and allocating resources.

To download or listen to a presentation of the Corporate Plan 2025-2028 click here

Maldon District Council plays a crucial role in the development and prosperity of the District, working for the good of the community and the long term benefit of residents, you can be part of our friendly team. From front line customer facing roles to policy and strategy, the work of the Council is diverse and dynamic.

In addition to a competitive salary, you will be entitled to a range of benefits, including:

• The Local Government Pension Scheme
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Flexible and agile working
• Employee assistance programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car lease scheme
• Discounted local gym membership
• Free parking

Maldon District Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups including children, young people and adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Disclosure and Barring checks will be undertaken according to the responsibilities of the role. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, culture and experience. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, sex, disability or marital status.

Maldon District Council is committed to the employment and career development of disabled people. To demonstrate our commitment, we have been accredited as a Disability Confident Employer. As a Disability Confident Employer we take various actions in order to successfully employ and retain disabled people and those with health conditions.

Maldon District Council’s structure charts are available to view here

For more information on this position or to request a full copy of the role profile, including person specification, please email essexsharedservices@essex.gov.uk

If you would like to be considered for this role, we would love to hear from you. To apply, please visit the Working For Essex website

The job description can be found here .