At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform essential street services impacting every resident in Plymouth.
- Company: Plymouth City Council, dedicated to improving community outcomes and sustainability.
- Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, competitive salary, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant impact and career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Shape critical services and lead meaningful change in a vibrant city.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in complex services, with strong political awareness and collaborative skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
About Plymouth
Plymouth is Britain’s Ocean City and is ambitious, forward-looking and proud of its identity. With significant investment, growth and regeneration underway, the city is evolving rapidly. We are focused on delivering high-quality public services, improving outcomes for residents and creating a sustainable, inclusive future.
The Role
This is a pivotal leadership role leading one of the Council’s most visible and complex service areas. As Service Director for Street Services, you will lead a broad portfolio including highways and transport infrastructure, waste collection and disposal, street scene, green spaces, parking and commercial operations. You will be responsible for delivering safe, efficient and customer-focused frontline services that have a direct impact on residents, communities and the city’s environment. Reporting to the Strategic Director for Growth, you will operate as a key member of the senior leadership team, working closely with elected members, partners and stakeholders to deliver the Council’s priorities and drive public value.
The Opportunity
This is a role with real scale and impact. You will:
- Lead and shape a large, high-profile frontline service that touches every resident and business in the city
- Drive transformation and continuous improvement across complex operational services
- Deliver strong financial grip and value for money in a challenging environment
- Embed a culture of accountability, performance and customer focus
- Play a key role in delivering Plymouth’s climate ambitions, including the commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030
- Work across organisational and system boundaries to deliver integrated, place-based outcomes
This is an opportunity to lead change at pace, improve service delivery and position Street Services as a high-performing, modern and responsive function.
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for an experienced and credible leader who can operate effectively at Chief Officer level. You will bring:
- A strong track record of leading complex, multi-disciplinary services, ideally within highways, waste, environmental or infrastructure-related functions
- Experience of delivering transformation and cultural change in large organisations
- Commercial awareness and the ability to manage significant budgets and resources
- The ability to translate strategic priorities into clear, deliverable plans
- Strong political awareness and experience of working with elected members and senior stakeholders
- A collaborative, system leadership approach, with the ability to influence and build partnerships
- A focus on performance, outcomes and continuous improvement
You will be a visible and resilient leader, able to manage competing priorities and deliver results in a demanding and high-profile environment.
Why Join Us
Plymouth City Council is committed to delivering better outcomes for our residents and communities. This role offers the opportunity to shape critical services, lead meaningful change and contribute to the future of the city. The expectation is that the role will be office-based for 3 to 4 days per week to support collaboration and visibility, with flexibility around how the remaining time is worked. As a flexible employer, we are open to discussing working arrangements to balance service needs with individual circumstances.
If you have any queries, please contact neil.stevens@plymouth.gov.uk
Closing date: 20 May
Assessment centre: 10 June
Final interview: 17 June
Service Director Street Services in Devon employer: PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL
Contact Detail:
PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Director Street Services in Devon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend local events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand Plymouth City Council's goals and how your experience aligns with their mission. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re all about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on articulating your leadership experience and how it relates to the role of Service Director for Street Services.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. So, go ahead and submit your application today!
We think you need these skills to ace Service Director Street Services in Devon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Service Director role. Highlight your experience in leading complex services and how it aligns with Plymouth's ambitions for high-quality public services.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see your leadership style! Share examples of how you've driven transformation and cultural change in previous roles. This is your chance to demonstrate your ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to convey your achievements and how they relate to the role. Remember, we’re looking for strong communication skills that resonate with our focus on customer service.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our values there.
How to prepare for a job interview at PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the role of Service Director for Street Services. Familiarise yourself with Plymouth's current initiatives, especially around climate ambitions and service delivery. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading complex, multi-disciplinary services. Be ready to discuss how you've driven transformation and cultural change in previous roles, as this is crucial for the position.
✨Understand the Financial Landscape
Brush up on your commercial awareness and be prepared to discuss how you've managed significant budgets in the past. They’ll want to see that you can deliver value for money while maintaining high-quality services.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively with elected members and senior stakeholders. Think of specific instances where you've built partnerships or influenced decision-making, as this will be key in a role that requires strong political awareness.