Restructure

We have restructured our chief officer team to ensure we are fit for the future and ready to meet our challenges and vision as a council. It is an exciting time to join us as we have a number of vacancies as a result of the restructure, retirements and internal talent progression.

The role

Reporting to the Chief Executive and to Council, you will work alongside the Strategic Directors for Environment & Sustainability and Transformation & Corporate.

You will be responsible for a department which delivers all social services functions for residents and will hold the statutory responsibility of Director of Social Services.

You will have three direct reports: Head of Children Services, Head of Adult Services and Head of Prevention & Inclusion.

You will be a values-based leader and have a key role in advising elected members and the senior management team on service provision and practice, transformation and change, and will ensure a talented, resourced and capable workforce is in place.

You will be at the centre of partner relationships both locally and regionally. You will ensure statutory responsibilities are maintained and control large and complex budgets, ensuring services are financially sustainable.

Full job description (pdf)

Salary:

£106,993 - £116,547 pa. Progression through the grade is subject to satisfactory performance which will be assessed by the Chief Executive following discussion with the Leader/Deputy Leader.

You

We are looking for an ambitious and truly transformational leader to support the delivery of modernised and sustainable services to our communities.

If you can evidence your ability to transform services and improve outcomes, we would love to hear from you. We are looking for someone with a proven track record, who wants to develop their strategic leadership skills in a challenging but exciting environment.

You should be a visionary who can impact culture in the workforce with the ability to build engaged, enabled and high performing teams.

How to apply

If you are excited by the prospect of being part of our journey and share our passion, then we encourage you to apply by submitting a covering letter and CV to executive.recruitment@newport.gov.uk

For an informal discussion please contact Donna Abraham, the Chief Executive’s PA on donna.abraham@newport.gov.uk or 01633 656656.

Assessment

If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be contacted and invited to continue through the assessment process. You will be notified in writing if you are unsuccessful.

The selection process will test the skills and knowledge needed to effectively perform the duties of the job for which you are applying. Part of the process may include a telephone or virtual assessment and psychometric testing.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an assessment centre with elected members, partners and senior leaders. This will likely take place using Microsoft Teams and may include a face-to-face interview.

The assessment centre may be run over a number of days with different sets of assessments. During the assessment process you will meet officers and councillors who will assess your knowledge, skills and experience against the specification for the role using a variety of assessment tools.

The questions are intended to allow you to expand on your application and will enable the panel to make a fair assessment of each candidate.

You will have an opportunity to ask questions about the job, conditions of service etc to panel members.

Timetable

Advert closes – Monday 6 September, midday

Assessment – Formal assessment with the member panel will be held on either September 22, 27, 28, 30 or October 5.

Any pre-assessment dates in advance of this will be notified to shortlisted applicants. Applicants should keep this date free and should be available to attend any pre-sessions.

After the interview – You will be informed during the interview of how candidates will receive the panel's decision regarding your application or any progression to next stages.

Start date – Once the offer of appointment is accepted you will be sent all the necessary onboarding information in readiness to start your employment. Arrangements will also be made between you and the Chief Executive to discuss your commencement of employment with the council.