At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative children's services, ensuring high-quality support for vulnerable young people.
- Company: North Northamptonshire Council, committed to positive change and community impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to innovation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while shaping community futures.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in children's services and strong partnership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 148815 - 159763 £ per year.
About the role
Transformation. Positive change. Visionary thinking. If these ideas inspire you, our Executive Director of Children’s Services role could be your next career move. As Executive Director of Children’s Services, you will be a key member of the Corporate Leadership Team, taking on the statutory responsibilities of the Director of Children’s Services while driving our ambitious vision for children, young people and families. Operating at a strategic level, you will lead the delivery of high-quality, inclusive and cost-effective services. You will ensure that children and young people—particularly the most vulnerable—remain at the heart of everything we do. You will also play an influential role in shaping our wider place-based ambitions, contributing to the BIG50 vision to make North Northamptonshire a proud, prosperous and forward-looking place where all residents can thrive.
If you are interested in this opportunity and would like to arrange an informal discussion, please contact Rachel Girvan at rachel.girvan@northnorthants.gov.uk.
What will you be doing?
In this high-profile leadership role, you will:
- Provide strategic leadership for all Children’s Services, ensuring the Council meets its statutory responsibilities and delivers improved outcomes for children and families.
- Act as the statutory Director of Children’s Services, leading on safeguarding, corporate parenting and education responsibilities.
- Lead and manage the client relationship with Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, ensuring effective contract management, performance oversight and continuous improvement.
- Drive transformation and innovation, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, creativity and high performance across services.
- Work collaboratively with Members, partners and stakeholders, influencing at local, regional and national levels to secure the best outcomes for our communities.
- Lead on education, early help and skills services, ensuring high standards, regulatory compliance and strong Ofsted outcomes.
- Champion partnership working, building strong relationships across multi-agency systems to support children and young people from early years through to adulthood.
- Ensure effective governance, financial management and performance oversight, delivering value for money while maintaining high-quality services.
About you
We are looking for a collaborative, inspirational and resilient leader who is passionate about improving the lives of children and young people. You will bring:
- Substantial senior leadership experience within children’s services in a local authority, health, or social care environment, including experience operating at a strategic level equivalent to Director or Deputy Director roles in children’s service.
- In-depth knowledge of the Children’s Services landscape, including safeguarding, education, statutory duties and regulatory frameworks such as Ofsted.
- Proven ability to lead in a political environment, building strong relationships with elected Members and providing expert professional advice.
- Outstanding partnership and influencing skills, with the ability to work across organisational boundaries and inspire others toward a shared vision.
- Strong commercial, financial and contract management expertise, with experience of managing large, complex budgets and commissioned services.
- A visible and values-driven leadership style, able to motivate teams, drive cultural change and deliver results through others.
Above all, you will be passionate about putting children, young people and families at the heart of decision-making, bringing energy, integrity and a clear vision for the future.
Our benefits
Here at North Northamptonshire Council, we’re transforming for the better, using all our creativity and imagination to create the best life for our local people. You’ll find that we have a wide range of careers that may be more surprising than you think!
Why choose us? We offer a vibrant working environment with:
- a competitive salary
- a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
- lots of opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
- generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
- hybrid and flexible working arrangements, where practicable for service needs to help you with a healthy work-life balance.
We provide a range of great benefits such as an Employee Assistance Programme, an Employee Benefits Scheme, wellbeing support, travel rates at HMRC rates, as well as supporting a range of active Employee Network Groups.
About us
Our Values and Behaviours
Our values define who we are and how we operate, by forming the foundation for how we interact with our customers, colleagues and provide our services. They are also at the forefront of our decision making and delivery and are: Customer-focused, Respectful, Efficient, Supportive, Trustworthy.
Our key commitments help ensure that the priorities we make, now and in the future, maintain the necessary breadth of focus in those areas that we believe matter most.
Disability Confident Employer
We are proud to be a recognised Disability Confident Employer and are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. Our Employment and Disability Service provides bespoke support to individuals facing barriers to employment, helping them work towards their goals to start, stay and succeed in employment.
Armed Forces Community
The council obtained the Gold status award for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).
Executive Director of Children's Services employer: Northamptonshire Sport
At North Northamptonshire Council, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, offering extensive professional development opportunities and a competitive benefits package, including generous leave entitlements and flexible working arrangements. Join us in making a meaningful impact in a supportive environment where your leadership can truly shine.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Director of Children's Services
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the children's services sector. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for informational chats. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the organisation thoroughly, understand their values, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. Practise common interview questions and be ready to showcase your leadership skills and vision for children’s services.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the Executive Director position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got all the latest opportunities listed there, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications!
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Director of Children's Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for improving the lives of children and young people shine through. Use examples from your experience that demonstrate your commitment to making a positive impact in this field.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application specifically to the Executive Director role. Highlight your strategic leadership experience and how it aligns with our ambitious vision for children’s services. We want to see how you can contribute to our goals!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
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 this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Northamptonshire Sport
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the Children’s Services landscape, including safeguarding and education. Brush up on relevant statutory duties and regulatory frameworks like Ofsted. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and confidence during the interview.
✨Show Your Leadership Style
Be ready to discuss your leadership approach and how it aligns with the values of the organisation. Share examples of how you've motivated teams and driven cultural change in previous roles. Highlight your ability to inspire others towards a shared vision, especially in a political environment.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific challenges in children’s services. Think about past experiences where you’ve successfully navigated complex situations or led transformation initiatives. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Engage with Their Vision
Familiarise yourself with the BIG50 vision and how it relates to the role. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to making North Northamptonshire a thriving place for children and families. Showing genuine interest in their goals will set you apart from other candidates.
