Shaping our practice for a stronger future

Assistant Director for Safeguarding, Quality, Performance and Practice

Salary –  £91,125 - £105,000

Reading is a place where your talent and expertise can make a real difference. You’ll be part of a team that shares a clarity of purpose and consistency of focus, operating in a vibrant and growing Berkshire borough. Reading has the fastest economic growth outside London, a respected university, and is ranked in the UK’s top areas for wellbeing. Through our Team Reading values we want to ensure that our growing and diverse population all share in that success.

This role and the Assistant Director – Operations, Adult Social Care role are  key appointments to help us to achieve our vision and to drive the organisation to deliver excellent social care practice. We need people who will lead, inspire and motivate colleagues within the service area through efficient and effective management of services, staff and resources.  If you are ‘can do’ and you are looking for your next challenge, we want to hear from you.

The Assistant Director for Safeguarding, Quality, Performance and Practice  will lead and manage a range of services in relation to strategic and operational Safeguarding, Data Performance, Quality, Approved Mental Health Practitioner’s (AMHP), Forensic services, and the Principal Social Worker.

We are looking for strong operational managers who can provide a strong focus on practice to ensure that our collective vision for improved outcomes is realised equally and fairly across our communities.

If you would like a confidential discussion with a Penna consultant, please contact Maggie Hennessy on 07877 004648, Carol Coyle on 07500 887849 or Helen Alwell on 07809 905467.

For further information please click here.

Closing Date for Applications: 11th June 2021 at 9.00am

Shaping our practice for a stronger future

Assistant Director – Operations, Adult Social Care

Salary –  £91,125 - £105,000

Reading is a place where your talent and expertise can make a real difference. You’ll be part of a team that shares a clarity of purpose and consistency of focus, operating in a vibrant and growing Berkshire borough. Reading has the fastest economic growth outside London, a respected university, and is ranked in the UK’s top areas for wellbeing. Through our Team Reading values we want to ensure that our growing and diverse population all share in that success.

This role and the Assistant Director for Safeguarding, Quality Performance and Practice role are  key appointments to help us to achieve our vision and to drive the organisation to deliver excellent social care practice. We need people who will lead, inspire and motivate colleagues within the service area through efficient and effective management of services, staff and resources.  If you are ‘can do’ and you are looking for your next challenge, we want to hear from you.

The Assistant Director – Operations Adult Social Care will be responsible for delivering integrated services with a strong rehabilitation focus whilst driving an ambitious agenda of early intervention and prevention to enable residents to maintain independence.  You will drive delivery of transformation projects in the service area to ensure it is sustainable and fit for the future.  

We are looking for strong operational managers who can provide a strong focus on practice to ensure that our collective vision for improved outcomes is realised equally and fairly across our communities.

If you would like a confidential discussion with a Penna consultant, please contact Maggie Hennessy on 07877 004648, Carol Coyle on 07500 887849 or Helen Alwell on 07809 905467.

For further information please click here.

Closing Date for Applications: 11th June 2021 at 9.00am

Director of Learning and Culture

Islington

up to £120k

Improving life chances through high quality education and opportunities

Islington is a dynamic, vibrant, accessible central London borough with a proud history. It also suffers from high levels of deprivation which has been compounded by the recent pandemic. As a Council

we are committed to creating a fairer Islington – one which will bridge the social divide and create opportunity for everyone.  

Our new Director of Learning and Culture will lead and manage all educational, developmental and cultural experiences available to our children and young people in the borough, working with a range of stakeholders including our School leaders, families and learners, to ensure the best educational outcomes and opportunities.

Reporting to the Corporate Director of People, you will be the Council’s expert adviser on all matters relating to education and learning, keeping Islington at the forefront of improvement, innovation and inclusive practice.  Children, and tackling inequality, are top of our corporate and political agendas. You will have the scope, support and resources to refresh our approach to school improvement, making it fit for purpose in these changing and challenging times.  

This is an ideal opportunity for an ambitious individual who is passionate about fairness and who can offer tenacity, professional expertise and inspirational leadership to help us create a better, brighter future for the children and young people of Islington.  

For further information and to apply please visit: www.islington.gov.uk/directorlearningculture

For an informal discussion about the role please contact our retained consultants at Penna: Carol Coyle on 07500 887 849 or Maggie Hennessy on 07877 004 648.

Closing Date: 9am on Monday 7th June 2021

Hertfordshire County Council  

Director of Children’s Services

Competitive Salary

This is a council that serves nearly two million people. This is applying modern approaches to support a highly diverse community. This is a county of diversity and scale, with rural areas and large urban centres. This is a Children’s Services team that is high performing but open to change and innovative thinking. Above all, this is a place where every single child matters.  

This is us. This is Hertfordshire.

With a reputation for delivering high quality services and an appetite for fresh ideas, Hertfordshire County Council is challenging expectations and progressing at pace. We’re now looking for a Director of Children’s Services who’s just as keen to look to the future and serve an amazing, growing and diverse community. A thoughtful, collaborative leader, you’ll be child centred and bring well tested and authentic practitioner skills.

As well as leading the Children’s services function you will play a key part in the leadership of the organisation. Corporate thinking will be in your DNA and you’ll be skilled at working in a political environment, operating with a range of stakeholders including elected members, the care provider market and their representative bodies.  Working across boundaries you’ll also play a lead role in the joint work we undertake with the ICS and NHS.

Leading a diverse and talented team, you’ll think strategically to ensure children, young people and families get the best from us. And building on existing achievements and progress, you’ll have the support to approach challenges in new ways and take brave decisions. Whether you’re addressing the growing need for SEND provision or bringing partners together to create seamless, high quality care, you’ll see every child as an individual, but keep a focus on the big picture.  

This is a very special role, and one that operates at scale; but the key attributes needed are your compassion, authentic leadership and ability to inspire a professional and diverse team.

If you’re ready to take your career and Hertfordshire further, for a confidential discussion please contact our retained consultants at Penna, Maggie Hennessy on 07877 004648 or email: maggie.hennessy@penna.com or Carol Coyle on 07500 887849 or email: carol.coyle@penna.com

For further information and to apply please visit: https://hertfordshirerecruitment.co.uk/

Closing Date for Applications: 24th May 2021

Director - Western Gateway

Full Time/ Fixed Term - 24 months (with possible extension)

Salary: A range of £85,468 - £93,446 (or more for an exceptional candidate)

A new opportunity has arisen for an exceptional candidate in the role of Director, to support the development of the Western Gateway partnership - an economic ‘powerhouse’ spanning Western England and South Wales. Reporting to the Board the postholder will work closely with the key stakeholders within the Western Gateway including businesses, local and central government agencies in England and Wales and universities from across the area to mobilise engagement, economic growth and investment.

The role will have responsibility for co-ordinating the Western Gateway Partnership’s strategic agenda, key priorities and programmes to ensure we maximise the potential economic growth opportunities for the area.

This is an outstanding opportunity to make a real difference in a unique cross border enterprise that combines the expertise, resources and innovation of strategic partners from industry, public sector and academia.

Whether you are delivering in a similar capacity in the private or public sector, you will have the ability to engage and develop effective partnership with funders, stakeholders and delivery partners. Key attributes of the role include:

• Experience of being at the front of complex projects or partnerships.
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills with the ability to build consensus and develop coherent policy options.
• Demonstrable extensive knowledge and understanding of how to work effectively with regional and national partners with seasoned understanding of the machinery of government both for UK and Welsh Government.
• Proven track record of turning strategies into outcomes and the ability to apply innovative and well thought through approaches to solving complex and challenging problems, often involving a range of differing stakeholder interests combined with the ability to take forward the right approaches to working arrangements and process.
• Substantial level of senior experience, providing depth and breadth of knowledge to act with credibility at this level.
• Someone who takes responsibility, is persuasive and engaging

The main office is in Yate, South Gloucestershire, however, there is an expectation of reasonable travel (Covid-19 permitting) and flexibility across the Western Gateway area.  

We also welcome secondments for this role.

Please visit https://western-gateway.co.uk/ for more information about the Western Gateway

If you are passionate about making a positive impact in the prosperity for the area and the people in it, then we’d love to hear from you.

For further information or confidential discussion, please contact Charles Wilson on 07801 880420 or Claudia Sousa on 07763 580368

Director of the MRC Biostatistics Unit and Professor of Biostatistics

Salary range (grade 12) £72,689 to £109,865 per annum plus an MRC Directors Allowance.

The School of Clinical Medicine invites applications for the Director of the MRC Biostatistics Unit. The post holder will hold a Professorship of Biostatistics in the Department of Public Health and Primary Care. The Professorship will be co-terminous with the MRC Unit Director appointment.

This is an exciting opportunity for an individual whose work falls within the general field of the Professorship. The intention is that the successful candidate takes up the appointment from 1 January 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Candidates will have an international track record in Biostatistics in its broadest sense, and show evidence of the leadership skills and scientific vision necessary to lead the Unit. They will have a breadth of understanding across the spectrum of methodological statistical research as well as translational research and its interface with the health sciences, and the ability to facilitate impact beyond their own immediate area of expertise. They will also have the ability to forge and foster effective partnerships at an institutional, national and international level.

Standard professorial duties include teaching and research, examining, supervision, administration. The post will be based at the MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, Public Health Building, Forvie Site, Cambridge.

Candidates will be considered for the post on the basis of selection criteria outlined below, which they are asked to address in their application.

-An outstanding research record of international stature, vision and inspiring leadership in Biostatistics in its broad sense, including its place within the data science ecosystem.

-Track record of driving innovation in the use of biostatistics and methodological developments in data science, and an ability to apply this at local, regional, national and international levels.

-The ability to provide leadership, motivation and strategic direction for the scientific programmes of the Unit (including the Director's own research programme).

-The ability to build on current strengths of cutting-edge research within the Unit and develop new scientific direction as required to optimally position it for partnership and collaborative approaches that support its mission and the wider sector

-A vision to integrate the Unit with the wider UK and international effort and to embrace the opportunities of working in partnership with current or new large investments, both within and beyond the MRC portfolio.

-Proven track record of managing and interacting effectively with staff and students at all levels.

-An enthusiastic commitment to the recruitment, training and mentoring of the next generation of researchers, including undergraduates, research students, and postdoctoral research fellows.

-Evidence of the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders locally, nationally and internationally across a range of disciplines and industries.

-Experience in public communication of science and maintaining media relations.

The MRC Biostatistics Unit is one of Europe's leading biostatistics research institutions. Our focus is to deliver new analytical and computational strategies based on sound statistical principles for the challenging tasks facing biomedicine and public health.

The Unit's research is grouped around four themes: (i) Statistical Omics (SOMX), (ii) Precision Medicine and Inference for Complex Outcomes (PREM), (iii) Design and Analysis of Randomised Trials (DART), and (iv) Statistical methods Using data Resources to improve Population Health (SURPH). Full details of the themes can be found at https://www.mrc-bsu.cam.ac.uk

The Unit is situated on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, one of the world's most vibrant centres of biomedical research, which includes the University of Cambridge's Clinical School, two major hospitals, the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, and the world headquarters of Astra Zeneca.

The Unit is actively seeking to increase diversity among its staff, including promoting an equitable representation of men and women. The Unit therefore especially encourages applications from women, from minority ethnic groups and from those with non-standard career paths. Appointment will be made on merit.

Salary range (grade 12) £72,689 to £109,865 per annum plus an MRC Directors Allowance.

For this senior position, there are a range of benefits available including a relocation package.

For an informal conversation in confidence please contact our recruitment partner at Penna Enterprise, Roger Russell on 44 (0)7710 701 570 or roger.russell@penna.com. To download the Further Particlulars - Director of the MRC Biostatistics document, please click apply button.

Applications, consisting of a letter of application, a statement of current and future research plans, a curriculum vitae and a publications list, along with details of three referees should be made by click the apply link.

Please quote reference SL26479 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Developing our model for a stronger future

Assistant Director Adult Social Care

£ Competitive

Shropshire Council has become accustomed to using words such as original and surprising when describing our ambitious agenda for the county, its services and the outcomes for our residents.  The Assistant Director role is a key appointment to the Shropshire health and Social Care system that are helping us to achieve our vision and to drive the organisation forward.

We need someone with the drive, creativity, passion and ambition to ensure that we have the right plans, resources and processes in place to deliver them. If you are ‘can do’ and have an outcome focused approach carry on reading.

We are looking for a strategic-thinking, corporate player who can create energy around the wider people agenda, and draw upon a strong track record of achievement, as well as working with and influencing the partners we have across a wide variety of sectors and to bring our communities with us on the journey and to ensure that our collective vision for improved outcomes is realised.

In this critical role, you will be responsible for the operational delivery of ASC, you will deliver a re-write of the Adult Social Care Strategy focusing on our strengths-based approach and to be central to our work with communities in effective co-design and co-production.

If you would like a confidential discussion with a Penna consultant, please contact either:

David Slatter on 07500 828610 or via david.slatter@penna.com or Rob Naylor 07922 417550 or via rob.naylor@penna.com  

Closing Date for Applications: 21st May 2021 at 9.00am

Head of Regeneration and Corporate Programmes

£competitive

Location

It’s an exciting time to join Guildford Borough Council. We have big plans for the future and, after the challenging times we’ve all faced over the past year, we’re looking ahead to a better, brighter future.

Sitting at the heart of that is our aspirational Town Centre Regeneration Strategy. The strategy is a long-term look at how we can deliver significant, integrated and meaningful improvements across our area’s public spaces, homes, transport, roads, shopping and leisure – all balanced with protecting Guildford's unique character.

Join us as our Head of Regeneration and Corporate Programmes, and you’ll help to bring that strategy to life. You’ll not only shape who we are today, you’ll also help to determine who we are tomorrow.

Your remit will include everything from leading a Corporate Projects & Programmes team through to driving through key physical regeneration projects including housing, infrastructure public realm and town centre projects. Across everything you do, you’ll work to ensure we deliver to the highest standards of quality, efficiency and governance.

As well as a degree-level education plus a relevant professional qualification – or the equivalent level of experience, you’ll bring a track record of excellence within project and programme management. We’ll specifically want to see an extensive understanding and appreciation of physical, cultural and social regeneration and external funding.

As well as the opportunity to make a significant contribution to our vibrant town, you’ll benefit from an attractive package of staff benefits. These will include local government pension scheme membership, flexible work arrangements, remote working, generous leave, tax savings on childcare costs, training and development, and staff discounts.

To download a copy of the job description or to apply please click the apply button below.

For further information contact Rob Naylor at Penna on 07922 417 550.

Closing date: 9:00am Monday 24th May 2021

Director - Economy of Place

Salary: Up to £122,000 + benefits, Bristol

Vibrant, successful and diverse, Bristol is bursting with history, culture, innovation and bold ideas, it has so much to offer – and this role offers a great opportunity to build our city’s future. Our vision is to play a leading role in driving a city of hope and aspiration where everyone can share in its success.

Bristol is a welcoming city which is known for being a great place to live and for doing things a little bit differently. We have a ‘can-do’ attitude, try new things and are really proud of what we’ve got. We’re creative, hard-working and have one of the country’s strongest economies. However, Bristol also faces some stark inequalities as we recover from COVID and making ours a more inclusive city is a challenging long-term aim which involves many partners and our communities themselves. In this role you’ll share our commitment to develop people and places to improve outcomes, empower communities and create a fairer, more inclusive Bristol.

In this role you’ll have the chance to define Bristol and drive its renewal and growth. Responsible for Regeneration, Economic Development, Capital Projects, Transport, Libraries and Culture & Heritage, you’ll help us fulfil our One City Plan, working with diverse partners. You’ll take charge of all kinds of exciting regeneration projects and a £900 million capital programme, bringing improvements to schools, transport and cultural and creative industries.

You’ll inspire and manage both strategy and services, leading skilled and dedicated teams. You’ll also be a contact for businesses and investors, nurturing productive, positive links. Your efforts will not only lead to a more prosperous city, but a greener one, as you support the Council’s progress towards UN Sustainable Development goals.

We’re looking for an experienced leader with the energy and vision to shape an amazing Bristol. Commercially sharp and resilient, you’ll be as adept at delivering as you are thinking strategically. You’ll also be open to new ideas, adaptable and in tune with our approach to diversity. And while a background in Regeneration would be an advantage, it’s more important that you’re a natural people person. An effective manager and communicator, you’ll win the trust of stakeholders and teams. Bring your skills to Bristol – and help everyone share in its success.

For further information or confidential discussion, please contact Julie Towers on 07764 791 736 or julie.towers@penna.com or Zara Bruton on 07540706547 or zara.bruton@penna.com

For more information on the role please visit http://www.limitlessbristol.co.uk/

To apply for the role please click the apply button below.

Closing Date: 9am Monday 17th May 2021

Assistant Executive Director

(Children’s Social Care)

Competitive Salary

Knowsley Council invites applications for the post of Assistant Executive Director (Children’s Social Care). This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic local authority with the successful candidate having specific responsibility for our ongoing commitment to Children’s Social Care through collaboration with Elected Members, partner organisations, community groups and other key stakeholders.

The successful candidate will play a key role in providing strategic leadership to Children’s Social Care and the Council as a whole.  Alongside a number of specific strategic/project priorities, the postholder will also provide direct support and strategic direction for the operational functions for Children’s Social Care including the EarlyHelp Service as well as providing management oversight to a team of Operational Heads of Service.

You will lead the Council’s services in relation to the following areas:

• Delivery of the Council’s Statutory Children’s Social Care services

• The cultural, workforce and other changes to secure the transformation of Children’s Services.

• Playing a key role in shaping the market for high quality Children’s Social Care Services.

You will be an outstanding leader with exceptional communication and engagement skills, along with a track record of improving and transforming children’s social care services at a senior level, including an ability to drive improvements in the quality of social work practice. You will need to be forward thinking, single minded, determined, and able to develop successful relationships with Elected Members, partner agencies and high performing teams. You will have significant experience of working directly with Elected Members and the diplomacy skills to maintain good working relationships at all levels.

If you have any questions or would like a confidential discussion with a Penna consultant, please contact:

• Helen Alwell - 07809 905467 or helen.alwell@penna.com

• Carol Coyle - 07500 887849 or carol.coyle@penna.com

For more information about this role, please visit: https://www.knowsley.gov.uk/executive-recruitment

Click the apply link below to download an application form, completed application forms must be uploaded to https://execroles.penna.com by 5pm on 19th May 2021.

Interviews will take place in June.

Assistant Executive Director - Health and Social Care Integration

Competitive Salary

Knowsley Council invites applications for the post of Assistant Executive Director (Health and Social Care

Integration). This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic local authority with the successful candidate having specific responsibility for leading the development of integrated Health and Social Care systems and services across the borough through collaboration with Elected Members, partner organisations, community groups and other key stakeholders.

The successful candidate will play a key role in providing strategic leadership to the Health and Social Care System in Knowsley and the Council as a whole. The post holder will transform the way in which health and social care services are delivered through the creation of new and integrated delivery models to ensure the delivery of high quality resident focused services and drive a reduction in health inequalities. You will lead the Council’s services in relation to the following areas:

• Establish the Knowsley Integrated Care Partnership

• Manage the transfer of responsibilities from Knowsley Clinical Commissioning Group to the Council

• Lead and direct the integrated commissioning and work with partners across the health and social care system

• Deliver a programme of work to improve the health and care of the whole population of Knowsley

You will be an outstanding leader with exceptional communication and engagement skills, along with a

track record of improving and transforming services at a senior level, including demonstrable experience

of positively changing culture and behaviours and adopting an asset based approach to assessment and

service delivery. You will need to be single minded, determined and able to develop successful relationships with Elected Members, partner agencies and high performing teams. You will have significant experience of working directly with Elected Members and the diplomacy skills to maintain good working relationships at all levels.

If you have any questions or would like a confidential discussion with a Penna consultant, please contact:

• Helen Alwell - 07809 905467 or helen.alwell@penna.com

• Carol Coyle - 07500 887849 or carol.coyle@penna.com

For more information about this role, please visit: https://www.knowsley.gov.uk/executive-recruitment

Click the apply link below to download an application form, completed application forms must be uploaded to https://execroles.penna.com by 5pm on 19th May 2021.

Interviews will take place in June.

Chief Executive

Competitive salary up to agreed ceiling

A fantastic opportunity to be Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority.

The role of the CEO is hugely important and leads the Combined Authority in the delivery of our strategy.

We are hugely ambitious for our growth and laser-focused on building a globally competitive, environmentally responsible and socially inclusive economy across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

We want an inspirational leader, with the highest ambitions and expectations for us as a Combined Authority and the diverse and brilliant community we are proud to work for. In doing all of this, you’ll build and inspire our great team.

As Chief Executive you’ll test boundaries and will be joining at a time to help us support our citizens coping with COVID-19 and its effect on their lives, and ensure our successful economic, financial, social and environmental recovery.

You will continue the great work already on areas like transport and infrastructure, housing, education and skills and inward investment across the region.

To meet this huge and exciting challenge, we’re looking for a world class leader who will channel all the talent, energy, ideas and resourcefulness of our amazing region, as we work to build back better.

If you’re as excited as we are by this fantastic opportunity, we’d like to hear from you.

For further information or confidential discussion, please contact Charles Wilson on 07801880420 or Julie Towers on 07764791736 or Claudia Sousa 07763580368.

For more information about the role, please click here: http://www.cpcachiefexecutive.co.uk/

To apply for this role please click to apply button below.

Closing date: 9am Thursday, 13th of May 2021

Deputy City Solicitor, Manchester City Council

Senior Salary SS4 £98,592 - 108,853

Be part of shaping the future of law in Manchester.

Our city is renowned internationally for its dynamic growth and ambition, and the Council has been pivotal in supporting the Northern response to the Integration of Health and Social Care, the Northern Powerhouse initiative and building back better post the pandemic. It’s a City we are extremely proud of and committed to help grow and flourish. We want to build on that legacy – carving a reputation for delivering services which meet the changing needs of our resident population. We now need a new Deputy Solicitor to help guide and support our legal services team to deliver the world-class services to which we aspire.

Manchester is a fast-paced place to work always interesting and no two days are the same. Our legal services are at the forefront of change and the service is highly collegiate, innovative with a strong service ethos linked to our corporate aims. As we respond to the current pandemic it’s a great opportunity as we respond to the impact of Covid to improve and shape how future services will be delivered. The complexity and variety of the legal work at hand is the best in Local Government and coupled with our passion and determination to do the right thing it makes for a place you can grow and make a real contribution too.

You will be required to work collaboratively across organisational boundaries, liaising closely with Members and at the highest level across our stakeholder networks. We are looking for someone who can be a true ambassador for our Legal Services team both internally and externally. You will be commercially focused and familiar in engaging teams aligned to corporate objectives and introducing new ways of working. You’ll be used to building your success through teams and growing technical and leadership skills in-house. Strong legal and democratic services experience would be beneficial too. Are you ready to lead in one of the most exciting legal roles in Local Government?

To find out more about this exciting opportunity please visit https://execroles.penna.com/ and for for an informal and confidential discussion contact our retained consultants at Penna, Rob Naylor on 07922 417 550, Pete John on 07701 305 617 or David Slatter on 07500 828 610.