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- Tasks: Lead regulatory services across two boroughs, ensuring public safety and compliance.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking joint council partnership dedicated to community wellbeing.
- Benefits: Competitive leadership package, flexible working, and impactful career opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team driving innovation and organisational resilience.
- Why this job: Shape the future of regulatory services and make a real difference in residents' lives.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in public sector services and strong partnership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Lead and shape regulatory excellence across two boroughs. Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils operate as a fully integrated joint council partnership, delivering services seamlessly across both organisations. We are now seeking an exceptional senior leader to join us as Joint Assistant Director for Regulatory Services. A role with major responsibility, significant influence, and direct impact on the safety and wellbeing of more than 265,000 residents and thousands of businesses. This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-profile regulatory portfolio, provide strategic direction across multiple complex service areas, and help shape the future of a large, forward-thinking joint council.
About the Role
As a key member of our Joint Leadership Team, you will be accountable for the effective, efficient and high-quality delivery of the full suite of Regulatory Services across both councils, including:
- Food safety & health and safety enforcement
- Licensing and events management
- Private sector housing
- Environmental protection and enforcement
- Business continuity and emergency planning
- Corporate health and safety
You will lead approximately 100 staff, including two Joint Heads of Service, fostering a high-performing, values-driven culture across both organisations.
Your Impact
- Strategic Leadership - Provide high-quality advice to Councillors, senior officers and partners, shaping policy, influencing decisions and aligning service delivery with corporate priorities.
- Operational Excellence - Ensure Regulatory Services deliver consistently high standards of public protection, compliance, customer experience and value for money.
- Cultural & Organisational Leadership - Empower managers, build capability, and champion our joint organisational values — Collaboration, Wellbeing, Trust, Value for Money and Professionalism.
- Risk, Resilience & Preparedness - Lead business continuity, emergency planning and corporate health and safety, ensuring the Councils remain resilient, compliant and ready to respond.
- Innovation & Forward Thinking - Horizon-scan, identify emerging trends and drive modern, efficient and future-focused approaches to regulatory service delivery.
- Representation & Influence - Act as an ambassador for both councils, representing the joint organisation at local, regional and national levels.
About You
We are looking for a credible, outward looking and collaborative senior leader with:
- A strong track record in leading multi-disciplinary services in a public sector environment
- Experience overseeing complex service portfolios, budgets and transformation activity
- Political awareness and confidence advising elected members
- Experience leading change, building culture and driving continuous improvement
- Strong partnership skills and the ability to operate across organisational boundaries
- A commitment to equality, inclusion and the Nolan Principles of Public Life
- A commercial, analytical and improvement-focused mindset
You will be committed to ongoing professional development, and able to demonstrate outstanding leadership capability.
Why Join Us?
- Lead a large, complex, and high-impact regulatory portfolio
- Influence strategic direction across two boroughs
- Play a central role in organisational resilience and public protection
- Work with a highly committed senior leadership team
- Drive modernisation and innovation in a progressive joint authority
We offer a competitive senior leadership package, flexible working arrangements and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference at scale.
Ready to Lead With Purpose? If you are motivated by public service, driven by challenge and inspired by the opportunity to shape regulatory excellence across two boroughs, we would love to hear from you.
Joint Assistant Director - Regulatory Services in Godalming employer: Waverley Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Waverley Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Joint Assistant Director - Regulatory Services in Godalming
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the councils and their regulatory services. Understand their values and priorities so you can tailor your responses to show how you align with their mission. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. The more comfortable you are discussing your experience and vision, the more likely you are to impress the interview panel.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and making a difference across Guildford and Waverley.
We think you need these skills to ace Joint Assistant Director - Regulatory Services in Godalming
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for in a Joint Assistant Director.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see your leadership style! Share specific examples of how you've led teams and driven change in previous roles. This is your chance to demonstrate your ability to foster a high-performing culture.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it reaches us directly and allows you to keep track of your application status easily.
How to prepare for a job interview at Waverley Borough Council
✨Know Your Regulatory Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key areas of regulatory services mentioned in the job description. Understand food safety, health and safety enforcement, and environmental protection. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams and driven change in previous roles. Think about specific instances where you've fostered a high-performing culture or influenced strategic decisions. This is your chance to demonstrate your leadership capability!
✨Understand the Councils' Values
Familiarise yourself with the values of Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils. Be ready to discuss how you embody these values—Collaboration, Wellbeing, Trust, Value for Money, and Professionalism—in your work. This will help you connect with the interviewers on a deeper level.
✨Prepare for Political Awareness Questions
Given the nature of the role, expect questions around political awareness and advising elected members. Think about how you've navigated complex political landscapes in the past and be prepared to share your insights on maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders.