Executive Director of Children's Services

About the role

Transformation. Positive change. Visionary thinking.
If these ideas inspire you, our Executive Director of Children’s Services role could be your next career move.

As Executive Director of Children’s Services, you will be a key member of the Corporate Leadership Team, taking on the statutory responsibilities of the Director of Children’s Services while driving our ambitious vision for children, young people and families.

Operating at a strategic level, you will lead the delivery of high-quality, inclusive and cost-effective services. You will ensure that children and young people—particularly the most vulnerable—remain at the heart of everything we do.

You will also play an influential role in shaping our wider place-based ambitions, contributing to the BIG50 vision to make North Northamptonshire a proud, prosperous and forward-looking place where all residents can thrive.

If you are interested in this opportunity and would like to arrange an informal discussion, please contact Rachel Girvan at rachel.girvan@northnorthants.gov.uk

What will you be doing?

In this high-profile leadership role, you will:

Provide strategic leadership for all Children’s Services, ensuring the Council meets its statutory responsibilities and delivers improved outcomes for children and families.

• Act as the statutory Director of Children’s Services, leading on safeguarding, corporate parenting and education responsibilities.
• Lead and manage the client relationship with Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, ensuring effective contract management, performance oversight and continuous improvement.
• Drive transformation and innovation, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, creativity and high performance across services.
• Work collaboratively with Members, partners and stakeholders, influencing at local, regional and national levels to secure the best outcomes for our communities.
• Lead on education, early help and skills services, ensuring high standards, regulatory compliance and strong Ofsted outcomes.
• Champion partnership working, building strong relationships across multi-agency systems to support children and young people from early years through to adulthood.
• Ensure effective governance, financial management and performance oversight, delivering value for money while maintaining high-quality services

About you

We are looking for a collaborative, inspirational and resilient leader who is passionate about improving the lives of children and young people

You will bring:

• Substantial senior leadership experience within children’s services in a local authority, health, or social care environment, including experience operating at a strategic level equivalent to Director or Deputy Director roles in children’s service.
• In-depth knowledge of the Children’s Services landscape, including safeguarding, education, statutory duties and regulatory frameworks such as Ofsted.
• Proven ability to lead in a political environment, building strong relationships with elected Members and providing expert professional advice.
• Outstanding partnership and influencing skills, with the ability to work across organisational boundaries and inspire others toward a shared vision.
• Strong commercial, financial and contract management expertise, with experience of managing large, complex budgets and commissioned services.
• A visible and values-driven leadership style, able to motivate teams, drive cultural change and deliver results through others.

Above all, you will be passionate about putting children, young people and families at the heart of decision-making, bringing energy, integrity and a clear vision for the future.

Interview dates: 26th June 2026

Our Benefits

Here at North Northamptonshire Council, we’re transforming for the better, using all our creativity and imagination to create the best life for our local people.

You’ll find that we have a wide range of careers that may be more surprising than you think!

Why choose us?

We offer a vibrant working environment with:

• a competitive salary
• a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
• lots of opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
• generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
• hybrid and flexible working arrangements, where practicable for service needs to help you with a healthy work-life balance.

We provide a range of great benefits such as an Employee Assistance Programme, an Employee Benefits Scheme, wellbeing support, travel rates at HMRC rates, as well as supporting a range of active Employee Network Groups.

About us

Our Values and Behaviours

Our values define who we are and how we operate, by forming the foundation for how we interact with our customers, colleagues and provide our services. They are also at the forefront of our decision making and delivery and are:

Customer-focused
Respectful
Efficient
Supportive
Trustworthy

Our key commitments help ensure that the priorities we make, now and in the future, maintain the necessary breadth of focus in those areas that we believe matter most.

Disability Confident Employer

We are proud to be a recognised Disability Confident Employer and is committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role.

Our Employment and Disability Service provides bespoke support to individuals facing barriers to employment, helping them work towards their goals to start, stay and succeed in employment. For further information please click here The Employment and Disability Service (EADS) | North Northamptonshire Council

Armed Forces Community

The council obtained the Gold status award for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).

Further information can be found at Jobs and careers | North Northamptonshire Council (northnorthants.gov.uk)