Director of Digital £98,919 - £107,384 pay award pending

This is a pivotal role that provides high-level vision and leadership to set the strategic direction to achieve digital, data and technology transformation across the council. You will be the lead authority on information and digital technology management including architecture, design programme, project management and service delivery to exceed industry best practice.

With a huge infrastructure across the county this is a real chance to shape a forward-thinking digital offering to residents of Lancashire. You will have industry knowledge of current best practice in this space and be able to critique our offering with an expert lens. We want to maintain and replace our infrastructure over time and be willing to explore all innovative technologies such as AI.

This is a strategic position and will require forward thinking and planning to work in collaboration with council Directors and third-party suppliers to understand current and future business need and present digital technology solutions to deliver these.

But it’s very much about understanding what our residents and services require, with both being at the heart of every decision. You will assess the need from digital and work out what is required to deliver for them. You will be passionate about helping the council to harness the power of data and to enable it to make ‘customer centred, evidence-led decisions.’

For further information and to apply, please visit https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/shapeourfuture/

For a confidential conversation about these roles please contact our consultants at Penna, Rob Naylor on 07922 417550, Priyesh Bhadressa on 07548 108176, Sapna Sharma on 07895 305444 or Dawar Hashmi on 07513 706265.

Closing Date: 26th June 2023

Director of People £98,919 - £107,384 pay award pending

People are at the heart of every decision made at Lancashire. With over 13,000 employees, this role will be critical to ensure the ongoing development and implementation of the of the people and organisational development related strategies. You will shape policies and programmes across the council to enable and support high performing and engaged employees, where the narrative is clear that Lancashire is an employer of choice.

This is a newly created role, and a key priority will be to embed the recently launched people strategy that is designed to maximise the impact of the council’s greatest resource: its workforce. You will be a strategic thinker, driving forward key areas of work such as staff wellbeing and bringing in best practice on a scale few other councils would be able to match.

As a forward thinking and progressive leader, you will be responsible for maintaining the workforce and enabling people to develop so that they have the skills needed for the future of local government. We know things will be very different in the future and we need to be proactive in developing those skills and collaborating with partners like the NHS and care providers.

You will ensure equality, diversity and inclusivity are championed and fully integrated into all aspects of the workforce and organisational development agenda. We want to ensure we are reaching a diverse population and building a culture of inclusion is reflected through everything the council does.

For a confidential conversation about these roles please contact our consultants at Penna, Rob Naylor on 07922 417550, Priyesh Bhadressa on 07548 108176, Sapna Sharma on 07895 305444 or Dawar Hashmi on 07513 706265.

For further information and to apply, please visit https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/shapeourfuture/

Closing Date: 26th June 2023

Head of Communications and Public Affairs £70,832 - £77,462 pay award pending

You will be responsible for providing effective leadership and development of the Communications and Public Affairs Service. You will promote the work of the council by listening to our population and enhancing the reputation of Lancashire County Council at a national level. We are looking for a strong and authentic leader that can build an exceptional level of service based on the future needs of the council.

As a key player in the north of England and the country, it is crucial the council maintains a prominent profile to match its stature. The new Head of Communications and Public Affairs will shape and lead efforts to promote both the county council and Lancashire as a place.

A key part of the role will be to develop, manage and deliver complex and high-risk communications, marketing projects and campaigns across appropriate communications channels, to meet and exceed service requirements and to ensure the best outcomes for the council and its residents.

You will promote innovative, high quality and cost-effective services that have a measurable impact on the council's profile and reputation. One side is about getting our messages out effectively and listening to what residents tells us. But the “public affairs” part of the job title reflects how we want you to be huge advocates for us regionally and nationally.

For a confidential conversation about these roles please contact our consultants at Penna, Rob Naylor on 07922 417550, Priyesh Bhadressa on 07548 108176, Sapna Sharma on 07895 305444 or Dawar Hashmi on 07513 706265.

For further information and to apply, please visit: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/shapeourfuture/

Closing Date: 26th June 2023

Executive Director for Economic Growth & Neighbourhood Services

Salary: Up to £142k

The Role

Reporting directly to our Chief Executive, you will be responsible for place-shaping in Reading, and will lead our Regeneration, Property and Assets, Culture, Planning, Transport, Environment and Regulatory Services.

Through developing our infrastructure, delivering major projects, and working with partners across the Berkshire economy to develop strategies for inclusive growth, you will deliver a sustainable and socially inclusive economy.

Reading

Reading is a place where your talent and expertise can make a real difference.

In Reading we are committed to enabling all our residents to realise their potential and ensuring they can share in the Borough's economic success.  As part of a new senior leadership team, you will have the opportunity to bring all your considerable talent and expertise to bare to help shape and deliver our exciting and ambitious agenda.   Reading is a vibrant and growing borough: with the fastest economic growth outside London, a respected university, and ranked in the UK’s top areas for wellbeing.  

However, we also know there is a clear mismatch between outstanding economic success and the benefit to residents. Reading has been ranked 3rd most unequal ‘city’ in terms of wealth

Through our Team Reading values we want to ensure that our growing and diverse population all share in the benefits of the borough’s economic success.

Candidates

This Executive Director role is a key strategic leadership appointment to help us achieve our vision and enable the organisation to deliver the best possible outcomes for all residents.

We need leaders who will inspire, support and motivate colleagues across the Council and work collaboratively with partners to realise opportunities and deliver our ambitious agenda.

So, if you are ‘can do’, like to work at pace, have a strong track record of delivery and of embedding equality, diversity and inclusion, we want to hear from you.

Next Steps

For a confidential discussion about your suitability, please contact our retained Penna consultants:

• Andrew Tromans – email andrew.tromans@penna.com or call 07805 226301

• Tom McElroy Williams – email tom.mcelroywilliams@penna.com or call 07895 300517

Closing date: Sunday 25th of June

Executive Director for Community & Adult Social Care Services

Salary: Up to £142k

The Role

Reporting directly to our Chief Executive, you will lead the Council’s Housing and Community Services (including HRA) and Public Health function as well as be our statutory DASS. Working strategically across the Council and with partners, you will have a unique opportunity to shape our health and inclusion agenda and bring innovation and creativity to ensuring we deliver sustainable and impactful services for our residents.

Reading

Reading is a place where your talent and expertise can make a real difference.

In Reading we are committed to enabling all our residents to realise their potential and ensuring they can share in the Borough's economic success.  As part of a new senior leadership team, you will have the opportunity to bring all your considerable talent and expertise to bear in helping shape and deliver our exciting and ambitious agenda.   Reading is a vibrant and growing borough: we have the fastest economic growth outside London, a respected university, and are ranked in the UK’s top areas for wellbeing. However, we also know there is a clear mismatch between outstanding economic success and the benefit to residents. Reading has been ranked 3rd most unequal ‘city’ in terms of wealth.Through our Team Reading values we want to ensure that our growing and diverse population can all share in the benefits of the borough’s economic success.

Candidates

This Executive Director role is a key strategic leadership appointment to help us achieve our vision and enable the organisation to deliver the best possible outcomes for all residents.

We need leaders who will inspire, support and motivate colleagues across the Council and work collaboratively with partners to realise opportunities and deliver our ambitious agenda.

So, if you are ‘can do’, like to work at pace, and have a strong track record of delivery and of embedding equality, diversity and inclusion, we want to hear from you.

Next Steps

For more information, or a confidential discussion about your suitability, please contact our retained Penna consultants:

• Andrew Tromans – email andrew.tromans@penna.com or call 07805 226301

• Zara Bruton – email zara.bruton@penna.com or call 07743 980867

Closing date: Sunday 25th of June

Director of Children's Services

Salary: £127,698 - £140,652

Putting our Residents first.

Harrow is a diverse borough, and we want a leadership team to match. As such, we’re open to a range of unique talent and experiences. If you have the right attitude, leadership potential and transferable skills then we want to hear from you.

Harrow represents all that is good about outer London life – but it could be even better. We are committed to real change, putting residents first and creating a thriving, modern, proud, and vibrant borough that residents can be proud of. We are at an exciting point in our continuous improvement journey, Good Ofsted, high achieving schools and strong safeguarding services, but we are not complacent, we want to achieve ‘outstanding’ and deliver excellent services to our Children, Families & Young People in Harrow.

As our new director, you will help us further improve outcomes for the children and young people of the Borough. Working closely with the Managing Director and Corporate Director of People Services you will set the strategic direction and provide the vision for Harrow’s children and young people, and develop our services, organisation and workforce.

To ensure our teams are delivering at their best, you’ll champion service transformation, develop our workforce, shape whole system integrated working and build on our family hubs where multi-agency working provides wrap around support for children, young people and their families.

We’re looking for a resilient and determined professional, who will provide inspirational leadership and take people on the journey with them. Empathetic and passionate, you’ll bring a track record in supporting children and young people, working in partnership and driving change.

While this is a senior local government role, we’re keen to hear from people with experience or looking to step up in their career as well as those with transferable experience currently working in other sectors.

Your leadership, attitude and focus on service are what’s important. We’re committed to development here at Harrow, so we’ll support you to be successful if you bring the right attitude. Support those stepping up or transferring from other sectors.

For further information, please visit: https://joinharrow.co.uk/

If you’re committed to a vibrant, diverse Harrow, and would like to use your leadership to drive services for our residents, please contact our retained consultants at Penna for further information: Sapna Sharma on 07895 305444, Julie Towers on 07764 791736 or Zara Bruton on 07743 980867.

Closing date: 22nd June 2023.

Kent County Council  - Chief Executive

Framing Kent’s Future

Kent is a fantastic county. This large and historic area is an attractive place for so many people who choose to make their lives here. This is because Kent has so many fundamental strengths and assets not found anywhere else. However, this distinctiveness can also bring challenges to the county’s success and the quality of life for people who live there. We welcome the challenges and opportunities that come from our strategic importance nationally and these are an important part of our ambitious, continuing trajectory for change.  

This is one of the biggest jobs in local government and the Chief Executive of Kent County Council will find themselves dealing with both scale and complexity. You will be the kind of senior leader that relishes the big challenges and has the experience to maximise opportunities on a local, regional, national, and international scale for our residents.

We are seeking a talented, collegiate, and influential leader with a strong notion of place and external focus; someone who brings a demonstrable track record of delivery through effective strategic partnering. If you share our genuine passion for making a difference and want to be the catalyst for driving real change in Kent and for Kent residents, then we want to hear from you.

To find out more go to https://jobs.kent.gov.uk/were-recruiting/chief-executive-officer or call our retained consultants at Penna: Ben Cox on 07809 374692 or Julie Towers on 07764 791736.

To apply for this role, please click the link below.

Closing Date: Sunday 18th June 2023, midnight

Director of Strategic Adult Commissioning

Salary £110,408 - £129,893

Liverpool is enjoying a dynamic and exciting period in its history. It has been substantially transformed within just a few short years to become a vibrant and successful city. The leadership of the council through our Leader Liam Robinson and Cabinet are determined to transform our services, underpinned by the Triple Lock commitment to social value, environmental sustainability and equality and inclusion at the core of all our decision making and policies, building an economy that serves the interests of the many, not the few. And now with the arrival of our new Chief Executive on the horizon, we are set to achieve our vision of becoming a thriving, sustainable, fair city for everyone.

We are now looking for a Director of Strategic Adult Commissioning who will report directly to the Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health.

You will:

• Be accountable for the strategic management and leadership of the Council’s integrated commissioning arrangements within a single commissioning unit (Health, Adults, Children’s and Public Health).

• Devise and deliver the Council’s approach to integrated health commissioning working with relevant partners arising from the planned dissolution of the CCG.

• Develop and lead collaborative working partnerships with a range of external partners, delivering across organisational and local authority boundaries to secure City Plan outcomes and impact for every community.

What you'll need:

• A comprehensive understanding of local government and health integration together with the devolution of powers to local and city region level, the national and political context within which it operates and the current challenges

            and opportunities it presents.         

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.

• Substantial senior management experience of social and health care services working corporately and with health partners in a large and complex public sector organisation, together with a deep and demonstrable understanding of

            working in a demanding urban context.

• A proven track record of improving services within social and health care environments and the ability to demonstrate improved outcomes.

• A successful track record of achievement including managing challenging change initiatives and exploiting new opportunities.

• Experience of leading and motivating significant numbers of staff in a demanding environment and demonstrating a successful track record of promoting equality and inclusion throughout a big organisation.

• Demonstrable record of managing large, complex budgets involving a range of funding streams.

• Evidence of success in delivering or facilitating major projects within tight budget constraints and with limited resources.

• Proven track record of effective programme and project management including evidence of delivering large scale projects achieving major savings and service transformation.

• Operational and strategic management experience of delivering high quality services in a multi-agency context. This includes direct service provision, commissioning and through partnering.

• Detailed knowledge of relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks for services within the children’s and Adults social care agenda, Public Health and the CCG.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to persuade and influence partners and stakeholders.

For further information, please visit: https://leadingliverpool.com/

If you have a clear passion for adult social care and background in commissioning, we want to hear from you. For a confidential conversation, please contact colleagues at Penna, Zara Bruton on 07743 980867 or email: zara.bruton@penna.com or Amin Aziz on 07709514141 or email: amin.aziz@penna.com

Closing Date for Applications Sunday 18th June 2023

Head of People and Organisational Development

Staffordshire Police and Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Shared Service

Salary up to £94,383 + Benefits

Hybrid-working (this will entail circa 3 days / week in the Stafford office)

The Role

As a crucial member of the Senior Leadership Team for both Staffordshire Police and Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service, you will lead a shared HR service of circa 180 professionals across:

• Human Resources

• Learning & Organisational Development

• Occupational Health

• Resourcing & Recruitment

• Strategic Workforce Planning & Systems

You will play a key role in setting the strategic direction of policing and community safety in Staffordshire and will be responsible for delivering the organisations’ workforce priorities.

This will include:

• Reviewing structures, policies and processes, and developing strategies to optimise efficiency and ensure that the services maximise value-add;

• Assessing and refreshing the organisations’ L&D strategies to ensure a focus on the development of skills that will be required for the future;

• Supporting ongoing culture change.

Candidates

This role calls for a strategic HR / OD professional who can engage with a wide-range of senior stakeholders and develop high-performing teams to deliver HR, OD and L&D services that make a real difference.

A passion for ensuring that Staffordshire is one of the safest places to live, work and visit will be required for success.

Next Steps

If you are looking for a fresh new challenge, with a supportive and ambitious team, we want to hear from you!

For a confidential discussion, please contact a Penna consultant or for further information please click the apply link below to download a copy of the candidate briefing pack.

• Call Andrew Tromans on 07805 226301, or email andrew.tromans@penna.com

• Call Zara Bruton on 07743 980867, or email zara.bruton@penna.com

Closing Date: 9am on Thursday 15th June, 2023

Corporate Director, Resources (S151 Officer)

London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Salary: £135,060 - £152,933

(Dependent upon experience, plus Travel Allowance £3,456 pa and London Weighting £3,657 pa)

One of the UK’s best local authorities – one of the biggest leadership challenges

Tower Hamlets is one of the UK’s best local authorities. Many of our services are award-winning and in 2022 we were shortlisted for MJ Council of the Year. But our ambition and the importance of the agenda you will work on has no limits. This is the most exciting time in our history now that we have moved into our new Town Hall at the Grade II-listed former Royal London Hospital opposite the new Whitechapel Station on the Elizabeth Line. And we’re on course to be a carbon neutral council by 2025.

Tower Hamlets offers the best of London in one borough. We provide the UK’s third largest economic output. We’re steeped in London's history and are one of the most culturally diverse places in the world. We’re the fastest growing and most densely populated place in the UK. We have destinations that would be the envy of any city.

And we’re a borough of contrasts. From Canary Wharf to Columbia Road Market, from St Katherine’s Dock to Brick Lane and from Spitalfields to Victoria Park, there is extreme wealth and poverty. It is our mission to broker opportunities to create a Tower Hamlets for everyone.

Our mission – a Tower Hamlets for everyone

As our Corporate Director, Resources, you’ll lead and manage the service divisions of the Resources Directorate, ensuring the services provided are of consistently high quality and provide great value for money. Working with the Chief Executive and Corporate Directors to implement our corporate aims and ensure financial probity, compliance and transparency, it’ll be your task to set the direction of policy decisions, determine opportunities to grow our income and ensure we maintain sound business systems and processes.

Directing and leading portfolios relating to the transformation of digital and infrastructural systems in a number of the council’s areas of operation, you’ll provide strategic leadership relating to high value IT contracts, corporate accounts and the governance of financial, procurement and audit matters. You’ll also offer advice on finance, procurement, audit and risk, and contribute to the leadership of the council in a way that promotes a ‘one organisation’ approach.

Your additional responsibilities will include developing supportive relationships with the Executive Mayor and elected members to ensure the council and directorate’s strategic priorities are effectively implemented. Promoting equality, sustainability, innovation and an inclusive approach in everything we do, you’ll support organisational change and learning, ensuring positive systems are in place for our services and workforce. We’ll also expect you to manage budgets and income delivery targets, ensure opportunities for efficiencies are developed, and drive down spend where appropriate.

Use your leadership skills to inspire and motivate your team

To be a success in this role you’ll possess a degree or qualification in Finance, be a member of CIPFA or its equivalent (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) and a solid track record of leading successful services of the highest quality. Capable of engaging with senior and strategic level colleagues while building productive partnerships with key stakeholders, you’ll have led new ways of working while delivering cultural change in a large, complex organisation.

With a deep understanding of the external commercial and political environment, and the ability to translate this into organisational actions, you’ll be capable of balancing strategic leadership and direction with effective operational management. Skilled at fostering an open and trusting culture, and dedicated to applying both discretion and initiative as you deal with complex issues, your relationship management and networking abilities will allow you to foster joint working across boundaries. Engaging and approachable, and with the ability to inspire the respect, trust and confidence of everyone you work with, you’ll be a superb negotiator and influencer, and committed to adopting innovative working practices.

It’s essential that you possess financial and commercial awareness, highly effective budgeting and financial management skills, and the ability to maintain a clear overview of the many issues you’ll deal with. Politically sensitive and with a strong belief in the value of local democracy and accountability, we’ll also expect you to have a strong commitment to our values, behaviours and equal opportunity policy, and be ready to demonstrate personal leadership on the importance of diversity.

Our council is a beacon for diversity and inclusion. We want a borough where everyone feels valued and included, and we want a council that collaborates to deliver excellence. That’s why we look for people with our TOWER values of Together, Open, Willing, Excellent and being Respectful.

For further information and to apply, please visit: https://www.towerhamletsseniorleadership.co.uk/

For a confidential discussion about this role, please contact: Kelly Ridley on 07709 512415 (kelly.ridley@penna.com), Andrew Tromans on 07805 226301 (andrew.tromans@penna.com), or Julie Towers on 07764 791736 or (julie.towers@penna.com)

Closing date for applications: 9th June 2023

Director of Finance, Procurement & Audit (Deputy S151 Officer)

London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Salary: £101,638 - £117,194 (Dependent upon experience)

One of the UK’s best local authorities – one of the biggest leadership challenges

Tower Hamlets is one of the UK’s best local authorities. Many of our services are award-winning and in 2022 we were shortlisted for MJ Council of the Year. But our ambition and the importance of the agenda you will work on has no limits. This is the most exciting time in our history as we have now moved into our new Town Hall at the Grade II-listed former Royal London Hospital opposite the new Whitechapel Station on the Elizabeth Line. And we’re on course to be a carbon neutral council by 2025.

Tower Hamlets offers the best of London in one borough. We provide the UK’s third largest economic output. We’re steeped in London's history and are one of the most culturally diverse places in the world. We’re the fastest growing and most densely populated place in the UK. We have destinations that would be the envy of any city.

And we’re a borough of contrasts. From Canary Wharf to Columbia Road Market, from St Katherine’s Dock to Brick Lane and from Spitalfields to Victoria Park, there is extreme wealth and poverty. It is our mission to broker opportunities to create a Tower Hamlets for everyone.

Our mission – a Tower Hamlets for everyone

As our Director of Finance, Procurement & Audit you’ll be responsible for the on-going development and coordination of our corporate financial framework, including the medium-term financial strategy, work that will enable us to prioritise our financial resources and comply with professional standards and Government legislation. Ensuring that robust financial systems and policies are supported by the necessary training and guidance, you’ll deliver accountancy and treasury management services that enable resources to be monitored while maximising our reserves and ensuring sufficient cash flow.

You’ll have a wide range of additional responsibilities, including providing responsive financial advice and guidance to our management teams and budget managers, and delivering a framework for the council to achieve value for money and its corporate objectives. When it comes to our Audit and Risk Management function, it’ll be your task to ensure robust controls are in place to protect the council’s resources and reputation while identifying and managing risks.

Making an important contribution to the leadership of the council in a way that promotes a ‘one organisation’ approach, we’ll expect you to develop supportive relationships with the Executive Mayor and elected members to ensure the council and directorate’s strategic priorities are effectively implemented. Promoting equality, sustainability, innovation and an inclusive approach in everything we do, you’ll also support organisational change and learning, ensuring positive systems are in place for our services and workforce.

Use your leadership skills to inspire and motivate everyone you work with

To be a success in this role you’ll possess a degree or qualification in Finance, be a member of a CCAB body (including CIMA but preferably CIPFA) and have a solid track record of leading successful services of the highest quality. Capable of engaging with senior and strategic level colleagues while building productive partnerships with key stakeholders, you’ll have led new ways of working while delivering cultural change in a large, complex organisation.

With a deep understanding of the external commercial and political environment, and the ability to translate this into organisational actions, you’ll be capable of balancing strategic leadership and direction with effective operational management. Skilled at fostering an open and trusting culture, and dedicated to applying both discretion and initiative as you deal with complex issues, your relationship management and networking abilities will allow you to foster joint working across boundaries. Engaging and approachable, and with the ability to inspire the respect, trust and confidence of everyone you work with, you’ll be a superb negotiator and influencer, and committed to adopting innovative working practices.

It’s essential that you possess financial and commercial awareness, highly effective budgeting and financial management skills, and the ability to maintain a clear overview of the many issues you’ll deal with. Politically sensitive and with a strong belief in the value of local democracy and accountability, we’ll also expect you to have a strong commitment to our values, behaviours and equal opportunity policy, and be ready to demonstrate personal leadership on the importance of diversity.

Our council is a beacon for diversity and inclusion. We want a borough where everyone feels valued and included, and we want a council that collaborates to deliver excellence. That’s why we look for people with our TOWER values of Together, Open, Willing, Excellent and being Respectful.

For further information and to apply, please visit: https://www.towerhamletsseniorleadership.co.uk/

For a confidential discussion about this role, please contact: Kelly Ridley on 07709 512415 (kelly.ridley@penna.com), Andrew Tromans on 07805 226301 (andrew.tromans@penna.com), or Julie Towers on 07764 791736 or (julie.towers@penna.com)

Closing date for applications: 14th July 2023

Chief Executive

London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Salary: Competitive based on experience (up to £195K, plus Travel Allowance £3,456 pa and London Weighting £3,657 pa)

One of the UK’s best local authorities – one of the biggest leadership challenges

Tower Hamlets is one of the UK’s best local authorities. Many of our services are award-winning and in 2022 we were shortlisted for MJ Council of the Year. But our ambition and the importance of the agenda you will work on has no limits. This is the most exciting time in our history as we have now moved into our new Town Hall at the Grade II-listed former Royal London Hospital opposite the new Whitechapel Station on the Elizabeth Line. And we’re on course to be a carbon neutral council by 2025.

Tower Hamlets offers the best of London in one borough. We provide the UK’s third largest economic output. We’re steeped in London's history and are one of the most culturally diverse places in the world. We’re the fastest growing and most densely populated place in the UK. We have destinations that would be the envy of any city.

And we’re a borough of contrasts. From Canary Wharf to Columbia Road Market, from St Katherine’s Dock to Brick Lane and from Spitalfields to Victoria Park, there is extreme wealth and poverty. It is our mission to broker opportunities to create a Tower Hamlets for everyone.

Our mission – a Tower Hamlets for everyone

As our Chief Executive you’ll work in close partnership with the Executive Mayor and elected members of the council as you lead our ambitious organisation, ensuring that precious resources are focused on making our vision and goals a reality for the diverse communities we represent. Leading, developing and motivating the Corporate Management team that defines and implements a wide range of programmes, your inspirational attitude will empower the entire council’s workforce to take positive ownership of our aims and objectives.

But your responsibilities won’t stop here – you’ll also work with external agencies, businesses, the voluntary sector and community groups to develop a strong local strategic partnership capable of delivering our community plan. Helping to ensure the council’s budgets and resources provide positive benefits for everyone in our communities, you’ll take an innovative approach to the delivery of our services, and spearhead creative initiatives that underline our ambition of being a flagship local authority.

Tower Hamlet’s strengths are diverse and wide ranging, and you’ll use them to champion our regeneration strategy and create a sustainable economy, quality environment and vibrant cultural life. Your other key tasks will include motivating and leading our workforce, creating an open and empowering culture, and developing an organisation that is ready to embrace and respond to transformation and change.  We’ll also expect you to celebrate the richness of our communities and build on our positive approach to equality and opportunity for all.

Use your leadership skills to inspire and motivate everyone you work with

To be a success in this vitally important role you’ll have an established reputation as a superb leader and manager at Chief Executive level or its equivalent with a sizeable local authority, preferably one with similar governance issues to those in Tower Hamlets. Capable of leading the formulation and delivery of corporate objectives, policies and strategies, and with an excellent track record of working in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders, you’ll be ready to make effective decisions within a complex political environment.

Skilled at establishing and maintaining a strong performance culture while inspiring, motivating and empowering people to deliver great services and achieve positive results, you’ll be a natural organisational ambassador. Ready to promote equal opportunities and establish highly effective working relationships with multicultural communities, you’ll possess a comprehensive understanding of local government, the national and political context and the current challenges and opportunities we face.

It's important that you have an understanding of the law, constitution and governance practice of councils led by a directly elected Mayor, and broad knowledge of the range of services provided by a complex local authority. You should have practical knowledge of the way people-focused services work and how improvements can be affected by integrated planning, and in addition to familiarity with the Strategic Plan 2022 - 2026, we’ll also expect you to understand the local government finance and legislative framework in which a local authority operates.

Our council is a beacon for diversity and inclusion. We want a borough where everyone feels valued and included, and we want a council that collaborates to deliver excellence. That’s why we look for people with our TOWER values of Together, Open, Willing, Excellent and being Respectful.

For further information and to apply, please visit: https://www.towerhamletsseniorleadership.co.uk/

For a confidential discussion about this role, please contact: Rob Naylor on 07922 417550 (rob.naylor@penna.com) or Julie Towers on 07764 791736 (julie.towers@penna.com)

Closing date for applications: 9th June 2023

Head of Safeguarding & Quality Assurance

Up to £91,737

The Role

Croydon is London’s largest borough, with 390,000 residents, a vibrant town centre, excellent transport links, a thriving voluntary sector, and plenty of ambition.

The borough’s Adult Social Care & Health Directorate are known for the quality of their staff, high standards, close working relationships with a wide range of partners, and the supportive and cohesive approach taken by their leadership team.  

Reporting to the Director of Operations (Adult Social Care), you’ll be a critical member of the directorate’s Senior Management Team, and will be responsible for all adult social care safeguarding and quality assurance.

You will be tasked with ensuring inspection readiness, leading the development and delivery of relevant safeguarding policy and strategy, and liaising with the borough’s specialist teams to ensure a corporate and collaborative approach to safeguarding.

This will entail:

• Assessing all safeguarding and quality assurance systems and processes

• Reviewing the borough’s data capabilities (including e.g. quality of safeguarding returns) and audit tools

• Identifying the service’s strengths and development areas, and leading the development of improvement strategies

Candidates

This role calls for an adult services professional who is experienced in developing and implementing practice that improves quality and outcomes, and safeguards adults from abuse and neglect.

Furthermore: knowledge of what good looks like, a critical eye, and the ability to provide constructive challenge will be required for success.

Next Steps

For further information click the 'Apply' button below to download a candidate briefing briefing pack.

For a confidential conversation to discuss your suitability for this role, please contact:

• Andrew Tromans – please email: andrew.tromans@penna.com or call 07805 226301

• Priyesh Bhadressa – please email: priyesh.bhadressa@penna.com or call 07548 108176

Closing date: Sunday, 11th June 2023

Greater Manchester Board Members

Greater Manchester Combined Authority

The Greater Manchester Business Board is looking for senior business professionals who are passionate about the region to join our Chair Lou Cordwell OBE and our existing Board members to help shape its future.

As we evolve from the GM Local Enterprise Partnership into a GM Business Board fully integrated with Greater Manchester Combined authority (GMCA), we have developed a new approach that will ensure we can be as ambitious as possible, maintaining a strong business voice at the heart of Greater Manchester and maximising economic growth across the city region.

Our new GM Business Board is an effective public-private partnership that places the views of business at the highest level of regional policy and uses the insight, experience and expertise of the private sector to drive key Greater Manchester agendas and deliver for all parts of the city region.

Through our groundbreaking GM Economic Vision we have already taken the lead in creating an innovation ecosystem across the city region, ensuring our businesses are on a journey to Net Zero and putting employers at the centre of a joined-up employment and skills network. We are also helping entrepreneurs to start up, scale up and access investment; supporting business to address inequalities and become the first Real Living Wage city region; and promoting Greater Manchester to local, national and global audiences.

But this is just the first step. Greater Manchester’s trailblazing Devolution Deal is now taking devolution further and faster than ever before, giving local leaders additional powers over post-16 technical education, transport, housing and regeneration, strengthening our ability to improve the lives of local people and providing opportunities for all.

Against this exciting backdrop of change, you’ll help us set the future direction. With your expert business knowledge, you’ll see that we address the city region’s needs through our Greater Manchester Strategy, GM Economic Vision and GM Local Industrial Strategy. It’s a chance to take the lead in areas where you have particular expertise. With your influence and knowledge, you can make a significant impact.

This role calls for considerable Group or Board level experience. You’ll bring formidable business skills and clear insight into the Greater Manchester region. An independent thinker, you combine your knowledge with a gift for analysis. You are quick to understand issues and able to contribute to strategy. Strong communication skills mean you can express your thoughts articulately and collaborate with others.

We are looking for a diverse group of business leaders from the region who reflect the diversity of Greater Manchester’s people and the full range of its business sectors. In particular, more representation from our Local Industrial Strategy frontier sectors including Advanced Manufacturing and Materials, Health Innovation and Digital. We would also like to hear from individuals with expertise in infrastructure, transport, hospitality and retail but we welcome applications from anyone with relevant business experience.

We estimate that Board members will be required to contribute between 1-2 days per month to the GM Business Board including meeting in person once every two months.

Click the 'Apply' button to download the candidate briefing pack.

For an informal discussion about joining the Business Board please contact our colleagues at Penna, Pete John on 07701 305617 or Kelly Ridley on 07709 512415.

Closing Date for Applications: 5:00pm on Friday 2nd June 2023

Chair - Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority Business Board

Renumeration: £24k per annum

Location:  Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Region

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA)  was established as a Mayoral Combined Authority in 2017 to make life better, healthier, and fairer for the region. It has seven local constituent authorities and a Business Board originally established to drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth for the area through local projects, utilizing significant public and private investment.

The opportunities presented by the Government ‘s recent Levelling Up White Paper and UK Shared Prosperity Fund highlights the need for future public-private partnership to be  recast and focused on a broader strategic direction, influence and delivery in closer partnership and integration with local authorities.

We are therefore looking to for a talented leader to Chair the redesigned Business Board and move it from an executive programme function to a strategic advisory Board capable of delivering

strategic business advice to  the CPCA’s main Board, Mayor, Committees, and officers across all policy areas.  

A strategic business leader you will also be able to provide insight and advice on the development and shaping of areas of economic strategy as well as oversight of its implementation on behalf of the CPCA Board.  You will also be able to use your regional business network to ensure that you and the members of the new Business Board act as an effective voice for the business community across the region.

Whether  in a C – Suite  Board position in industry or operating in a commercial leadership role as an NED or Chair you will have a proven track record of success in developing growth and be adept at building productive and cooperative relationships across different sectors. An inspirational leader with effective communication skills and a collaborative approach you will have the ability to contribute to broad based strategic thinking that delivers positive social and economic impact regionally.

There is a significant opportunity for the Chair to influence the industrial future of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and be voice in media and among stakeholders in standing up for the needs of businesses. The new Chair will be coming in at the ideal time to shape the new future of the Board, and set its identity as an advisory body. It will also be an opportunity to meet key stakeholders, visit projects, and engage with events, media and other networks to understand the area better.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to be a part a legacy of achievement in a dynamic and professionally stretching leadership role.

If you are interested in the position and would  like further information or confidential discussion, please contact our recruitment partners at Penna, Roger Russell roger.russell@penna.com or call  07710 701570 or Claire Macleod claire.macleod@penna.com  or call 07752 797280.

To download a copy of the candidte briefing pack, please click the apply link below.

Closing date : 5pm Monday 19th June 2023

Director – Corporate Services (Section 151 Officer)

Folkestone & Hythe District Council

£99-110k plus £6,200 car allowance

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious Director and S151 Officer to join a fast moving and forward thinking Council on the South Coast of England. If you are someone who has the drive, energy and determination to make a difference and help deliver our strong agenda for the benefit of our residents and community, then this role will provide you with endless opportunities to demonstrate your skills and abilities as a Director and S151 Officer and make a real difference in the public sector. If this is the challenge you have been waiting for then Folkestone and Hythe will provide you with the platform to fast forward your ideas, energy and vision in this pivotal role at the Council.

Folkestone & Hythe is a vibrant, connected and energetic district located on Kent’s beautiful south coast. Thanks to the high-speed rail link, and the M20, it’s just under an hour away from London. We are an ambitious district council with plans well underway in delivering our own garden town at Otterpool Park – significantly owned by the council and with a council-sponsored LLP funded and acting as master developer. In addition, we have recently been granted £20m as part of Levelling Up with plans to transform Folkestone town centre, remodelling the approach and arrival space, and with a new pedestrian plaza and the potential relocation of the civic offices. These forward thinking initiatives represent an exciting opportunity for you to join a strong team and make a real mark, by demonstrating your vision, ambition and ideas as well as your strong your leadership qualities

About the role

As our Corporate Services Director you’ll also manage a broad portfolio of work that includes Legal, HR & OD, ICT & Digital, Strategy & Performance, Revenues & Benefits and the core Accountancy function. You will naturally provide high quality professional advice to the Leader, Cabinet, Portfolio Holders and of course to the Chief Executive as well as your leadership skills and vision with colleagues on the Corporate Leadership Team, embracing and inspiring other senior managers across the council. Your focus will be on providing strong and visible leadership, as well as maintaining effective financial administration, stewardship and robust governance. By ensuring compliance, you’ll champion fulfilling our statutory, regulatory and professional obligations. As with all public services, there are pressured and difficult decisions to make about medium term financial plans, however as a creative problem solver and forward looking professional, we are sure you’ll relish the challenges ahead and you will receive nothing but full support and positive encouragement to bring new ideas and creative solutions to help lead the way forward. We are about to embark on an exciting change programme which brings a genuine opportunity to shape the future, drawing on your valuable past experiences. Of course, many of these opportunities are available at other authorities, however where Folkestone & Hythe is totally unique is in its freehold ownership and controlling role with the Garden Town project at Otterpool Park.  Here you have an amazing opportunity to work alongside others in the creation of a new garden town and play a pivotal role in the numerous financial aspects surrounding it. More than anything this role will allow you to make a very positive mark on the future of this District and will prove to be a great career move.

About you

We’re looking for someone who brings at least five years’ experience of successfully leading a range of relevant service areas with an inclusive, engaging leadership style to encourage creativity and development in line with our core values and behaviours, empowering and inspiring those around you by enabling a positive culture of trust and respect. Without doubt you’ll be adept at driving the highest standards and identifying value for money whilst knowing what it takes to maintain a strong, effective performance culture while being able to navigate a large, complex political environment working with elected Members.

In terms of technical capability, you bring a CCAB (Accountancy) qualification and ideally have previous experience as a s151 Officer in local government and experience of leading change and transformation programmes. You understand current thinking, best practice, project feasibility, scoping and business planning and combined with well-honed political management skills you’ll be a confident operator. Plus, you have a track record of delivering successful budget and year-end processes and managing relationships at every level.

For further information on the district please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEpgQ6yZbEQ

How to Apply

For a confidential discussion, please contact Rob Naylor on 07922 417550 or Ben Cox on 07809 374692 and click the 'Apply' button to download a candidate briefing pack.

Closing date: 31st May 2023