Director of Adult Social Care in Southampton

Shape the future of Adult Social Care in a city that matters

In Southampton, adult social care matters to individuals, families, communities and the wider system. It is fundamental to creating a city where people live healthier, more independent lives for longer.

Southampton City Council is seeking an outstanding Director of Adult Social Care to lead one of our most critical services at a time of significant opportunity and change.

Reporting to our new Executive Director for Community Health, Wellbeing & Prevention (DASS), you will play a pivotal role in shaping how adult social care supports independence, tackles inequality and delivers sustainable, high-quality outcomes for residents.

About the role

This is a senior, high-profile leadership role at the heart of the council’s ambition for a fairer, healthier Southampton. You will have responsibility for the strategic and operational leadership of Adult Social Care, ensuring services are safe, responsive, strengths based and firmly centred on people and communities.

You will lead during a crucial period for adult social care locally and nationally, navigating policy reform, financial pressures, demand growth and system transformation, while maintaining a relentless focus on quality, safeguarding and workforce wellbeing.

Working closely with Members, partners and senior colleagues across the council, NHS and voluntary sector, you will be a key system leader, helping to shape joined up solutions and stronger integrated care.

What you’ll be responsible for

• Providing strategic and operational leadership across Adult Social Care, ensuring delivery of statutory duties and excellent outcomes for residents and carers
• Driving a clear and credible improvement, transformation and prevention agenda, aligned to the City Plan and Corporate Plan
• Embedding strengths based, person‑centred practice with strong line of sight to frontline delivery
• Leading confidently in the CQC and regulatory environment, building assurance, learning and continuous improvement
• Taking full accountability for financial sustainability, budget management and whole council contributions
• Acting as a visible leader for staff, modelling compassionate, inclusive and consistent leadership
• Building strong, effective partnerships across the Integrated Care System and wider place
• Working constructively and transparently with elected Members, Cabinet, boards and scrutiny
• Supporting and leading significant change, including preparation for future system and organisational developments

About you

We’re looking for a professional, qualified, values driven adult social care leader who has presence, fair judgement and emotional intelligence. You will bring a deep professional credibility, alongside a visible, grounded and trusted presence for staff, partners, members and communities alike.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• Substantial senior leadership experience across Adult Social Care, with accountability for quality, safeguarding, performance and improvement at scale
• Deep practice credibility, underpinned by a strong understanding of statutory responsibilities, strengths‑based approaches and professional standards
• Exceptional knowledge and insight into commissioning
• A track record of leading through change, bringing people with you, maintaining service quality, morale and delivering improvements at pace
• The confidence and authority to operate in complex political, regulatory and partnership environments, including effective engagement with elected Members
• Strong system leadership capabilities, with the ability to influence across health, voluntary, community and place based partnerships
• A leadership style that is calm, ethical, authentic and inclusive, setting clear expectations while empowering, developing and supporting others
• The resilience and presence to lead improvement, manage risk and make difficult decisions in the best interests of adults, carers and the wider system

Above all, you will be someone who leads from the front, models the council’s values and behaviours, and creates a culture of trust, accountability, learning and continuous improvement.

Why Southampton?

Southampton is a diverse, ambitious port city with challenges often seen in much larger authorities and the opportunity to make meaningful, visible impact. Our City Plan 2035 and Corporate Plan 2025–28 set out a clear direction: tackling inequality, preventing ill health and supporting people to live independent, fulfilled lives. Adult Social Care sits at the centre of that ambition.

If you are motivated by purpose, challenge and the opportunity to lead adult social care at scale, in a city where your leadership will truly matter, we would welcome your application.

Recruitment and Selection Process – Key Information:

• Pre‑screen call with HR: Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th June
• Formal interview: Friday 12th June

What we can offer you:

Salary: Starting salary is up to £118,813 per annum excluding pay award for this year.

Here at SCC we have a range of different benefits, a few examples can be found below.

• Excellent local government pension with 15.2% employer contribution
• Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
• Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service
• Flexible working options (role‑dependent)
• Family‑friendly policies – Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
• Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
• Health and wellbeing support – Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
• Veteran‑friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
• Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
• Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
• Sustainable travel benefits – low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
• Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer
• For further information on our benefits package, please visit: Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk)

For further information and details regarding the Director of Adults Social Care opportunity, please contact Faye Sheppard within the HR team on faye.sheppard@southampton.gov.uk who will schedule a call with the Executive Director.