At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead essential services like highways, transport, and environmental health to improve community life.
- Company: Sefton Council, a forward-thinking organisation focused on innovation and community impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive leadership, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a collaborative environment with a strong commitment to innovation and resident satisfaction.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while shaping the future of Sefton.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing teams and delivering service improvements in public protection or transport.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 € per year.
This is a rare opportunity to step into one of Sefton’s most visible and impactful leadership roles. As Assistant Director, you will lead a broad and essential portfolio spanning highways, transport, environmental health, trading standards, licensing and parking. These are the services that residents rely on every day, whether travelling across the borough, running a business, or simply feeling safe in their community. Your leadership will directly shape how Sefton works.
Reporting to the Executive Director for Operations and Partnerships, you will take both strategic and operational ownership of a large, multidisciplinary service. From maintaining and improving the highways network to ensuring effective regulatory services, your remit is wide-ranging, complex and highly visible. Sefton is investing in its infrastructure, with a growing highways and transport programme and a clear ambition to modernise and improve services. There is real opportunity to strengthen customer experience, enhance digital capability, and drive continuous improvement across the service.
You will work closely with elected members, partners and colleagues across the Liverpool City Region, helping to shape priorities and deliver outcomes that matter to communities. This is a role that requires balance between long-term strategy and day-to-day delivery, between competing demands and resources, and between public expectation and operational reality.
About You
You may come from highways, public protection, transport or a related frontline service, but what sets you apart is your ability to lead large, operational teams and deliver meaningful improvement. You bring a strong track record of managing performance, budgets and people, alongside experience of leading change, whether through service redesign, workforce development or digital transformation. You understand what good looks like and have the confidence to challenge, innovate and improve. Just as importantly, you are a visible and collaborative leader. You build trust quickly, communicate clearly, and are comfortable working with elected Members and partners in a political environment. You lead from the front, engaging with teams and stakeholders alike, and bring people with you on the journey.
Why Sefton
Sefton is a borough with ambition and momentum. From its coastline and communities to major regeneration and infrastructure investment, this is a place that is looking forward with confidence. The Council has a strong track record of delivery and improvement, supported by a collaborative and supportive leadership team. There is a clear commitment to doing things differently, embracing innovation, improving services, and putting residents at the heart of what we do. You’ll be joining an organisation where leadership is visible, where your voice will be heard, and where you will have the platform to make a genuine, lasting impact.
Assistant Director – Highways & Public Protection in Liverpool employer: Sefton Council
Sefton Council is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead impactful services that directly benefit the community. With a strong commitment to innovation and improvement, employees are supported in their professional growth within a collaborative work culture that values visibility and engagement. Joining Sefton means being part of a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to enhancing the lives of residents while providing a platform for meaningful contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director – Highways & Public Protection in Liverpool
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the highways and public protection sectors. Attend local events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Sefton and its current projects. Understand their vision for highways and public protection, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as someone who’s genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams, managed budgets, and driven change in previous roles. Highlighting your ability to engage with stakeholders and deliver results will make you a strong candidate for this impactful position.
✨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 always looking for passionate individuals who want to contribute to our community and help shape the future of Sefton.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director – Highways & Public Protection in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Assistant Director. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what Sefton is looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:This role is all about leadership, so don’t hold back! Share specific examples of how you've led teams and driven improvements in previous roles. We want to see your ability to inspire and engage others.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point while still showcasing your personality.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sefton Council
✨Know Your Portfolio
Familiarise yourself with the key areas of responsibility for the Assistant Director role. Understand the current challenges and opportunities within highways, transport, and public protection. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show how you can contribute to Sefton's vision.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing large teams and driving change. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully led operational improvements and engaged stakeholders in previous roles. This is your chance to shine as a collaborative leader.
✨Emphasise Strategic Thinking
Think about how you balance long-term strategy with day-to-day operations. Be prepared to discuss specific instances where you've had to make tough decisions or prioritise competing demands. This will show that you can navigate the complexities of the role effectively.
✨Engage with the Community Focus
Sefton values its residents, so be ready to talk about how you've put customer experience at the forefront of your work. Share examples of how you've improved services based on community feedback or how you've enhanced digital capabilities to better serve the public.
