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- Tasks: Lead educational strategies and improve outcomes for children aged 0-19.
- Company: Join Portsmouth City Council, a people-focused organisation dedicated to community improvement.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, a supportive team, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while collaborating with passionate leaders.
- Qualifications: Degree-level education and substantial leadership experience in education services required.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team and engage in a three-stage interview process.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 64800 £ per year.
Deputy Director – Education – PO1 2AL, United Kingdom
Job Category: Senior ManagementRegion / Division: UK RegionLocation: Civic OfficesWorking Hours: 37
About Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.
We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours .
Job introduction
Following a retirement Portsmouth City Council is seeking a Deputy Director Education. If you are committed to providing the very best educational opportunities for children and young people and you thrive in a fast-paced environment where you have to think on your feet as well as plan years in advance, why not find out more.
This exciting and varied role will suit you if you have substantial experience working at a senior leadership level in education services and a relevant qualification at degree level.
Your new role
This senior level role reports to the Director Children\’s Services and manages 3 senior leaders. This role spans a number of key priorities for the council including planning and reviewing the educational provision for children and young people aged 0-19, ensuring sufficient early years and childcare places, and leading education capital programmes. This role will be fundamental in driving improved educational outcomes across our settings and schools.
We will be looking to you to deliver on our education strategy and to lead a broad range of education priorities including planning and reviewing the educational provision for children and young people aged 0-19, ensuring sufficient early years and childcare places, and leading education capital programmes. This role will be fundamental in driving improved educational outcomes across our settings and schools.
This is a challenging but critical role, where you can really make a difference, developing our commitment to supporting residents with care and support needs, and making our city a healthier and happier place.
We have a strong history of working together with our partners to deliver better outcomes for our children and families:
- Corporate Plan 2024-2026
- City Vision
In this role you will be a champion of high-quality practice, with a focus on continual improvement. You will be an advocate for partnership and collaborative working, building upon our already strong city-wide relationships. Our committed and caring workforce will give you the platform to drive innovation and transformation with a focus on outcomes and learning.
You will have the opportunity to champion and represent the authority in the South-East through regional networks. You will join a strong and experienced senior leadership team, who care passionately about our children and families and empowering our workforce to deliver their best practice.
Who is the person
We are looking for an experienced leader educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant discipline, who is creative, and who will bring transformation that delivers positive outcomes. Reporting directly to the Director of Children\’s Services, you will be part of an experienced Directorate Leadership Team, leading and managing operational teams. The Deputy Director will create the right culture and environment for the workforce to flourish and ensure operational plans are delivered. You will be a visible leader who gives direction and has an impact.
For full details, please review \’who is the person\’ on the job profile below attached.
Our recruitment process
Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants\’ page: Support for applicants – Careers portal
Please ensure that you read the job profile for full details on the post. We offer hybrid working with the expectation to attend the office 2 days a week (pro rata for part time) depending on the role and business needs. You will be required to support out of hours cover for the service.
You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the \’Who is the Person\’ points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.
Please note we reserve the right to close the advert early if we have a successful applicant.
If you would like to discuss this role in more detail with the hiring manager, please contact Sarah Daly, Director Children Services:
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion – Careers portal
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.
You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career\’s portal homepage: Careers Portal – Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please read the relevant DBS privacy notice before submitting any information.
You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years – this is essential for all safeguarding roles.
Interview Dates
Candidates that are successfully shortlisted will be invited to a 3-stage interview process, including both an internal and external stakeholder panel, followed by an interview panel and case study. It is anticipated that interviews will take place w/c 28th July 2025.
Deputy Director - Education - PO1 2AL, United Kingdom employer: Portsmouth City Council
Contact Detail:
Portsmouth City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Director - Education - PO1 2AL, United Kingdom
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Portsmouth City Council's core values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and being people-focused. During your interactions, whether in networking or interviews, demonstrate how your leadership style aligns with these values.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with local educational networks and forums in the South-East region. Building relationships with key stakeholders can provide insights into current challenges and opportunities within the education sector, which you can leverage during discussions with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've driven educational improvements in previous roles. Highlighting measurable outcomes from your initiatives will showcase your ability to deliver on the council's education strategy effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the current educational landscape in Portsmouth, including recent developments and challenges faced by local schools. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to making a positive impact in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Director - Education - PO1 2AL, United Kingdom
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the Deputy Director - Education position. Make sure you understand the key responsibilities and requirements, especially the need for substantial experience in senior leadership within education services.
Tailor Your Personal Statement: Craft a detailed personal statement that directly addresses each point outlined in the 'Who is the Person' section of the job profile. Use specific examples from your experience to demonstrate how you meet these criteria.
Highlight Leadership Experience: Emphasise your leadership skills and experiences in your CV and personal statement. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams and driven educational outcomes in previous roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for a senior management role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨Understand the Council's Values
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand Portsmouth City Council's core values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and being people-focused. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with these and provide examples from your experience that demonstrate your commitment to these principles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As a Deputy Director, you'll need to demonstrate substantial leadership experience in education services. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led teams, managed projects, or implemented educational strategies that resulted in positive outcomes. Highlight your ability to inspire and motivate others.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions during the interview, especially regarding planning and reviewing educational provisions. Think about challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you overcame them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Engage with Stakeholder Collaboration
Since this role involves working with various stakeholders, be ready to discuss your experience in building partnerships and collaborative working relationships. Share examples of how you've engaged with different groups to achieve common goals, particularly in the context of improving educational outcomes.
