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An exciting time to join our team

Kent is one of the largest and most ambitious Adult Social Care systems in the country, supporting over 34,000 residents across diverse communities. As we deliver our refreshed Making a Difference Every Day Adult Social Care Strategy, we are seeking exceptional Operational Managers to support system-wide transformation, improve outcomes and shape sustainable services for the future.

Our strategy sets out a renewed and ambitious direction for Adult Social Care in Kent. It reaffirms our commitment to strengths-based practice, prevention and partnership working – making this an exciting time to join our team.

An exciting opportunity to join us as one of up to six Operational Managers, available to the right candidates across the Assistant Director portfolios.

As an Operational Manager you will work as part of the local management team, to provide operational leadership, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, safe and sustainable services that meet our statutory duties and improve outcomes for Kent residents. At a time of continued transformation and increased demand, these are key roles to manage the delivery and support the following Assistant Directors and their portfolios.

Assistant Director for North Kent and Ashford and Canterbury

• Approved Mental Health Professionals
• North Kent Community Social Work
• Ashford and Canterbury Community Social Work

Assistant Director for West Kent

• Continuing Healthcare Liaison
• Direct Payments
• Carers
• Operational Support Service
• West Kent Community Social Work

Assistant Director for Thanet and South Kent Coast

• Young People’s Team
• Thanet and South Kent Coast Community Social Work

Assistant Director for Hospital Discharge

• Early Discharge Planning
• Short Term Pathways

About the role

As Operational Manager, you will:

• provide visible, strategic leadership across key Adult Social Care Services, shaping direction, driving innovation and ensuring services are equipped to meet future challenges
• champion high-quality, person-centred care, ensuring services are safe, compliant and consistently delivery meaningful, positive outcomes for the people we support
• inspire, lead and develop high-performing teams, fostering a culture of professionalism, compassion and accountability, whiles ensuring statutory responsibilities are met and resources are used effectively
• drive service excellence and transformation, leading on performance, quality assurance and continuous improvement, and working collaboratively to ensure services are efficient, sustainable and responsive to changing needs and demands

About you

As Operational Manager, you will:

• be an experienced manager with strong leadership skills, driving and displaying professional standards and behaviour
• need to demonstrate expertise in managing and monitoring budgets, planning and adapting resources to ensure delivery of a flexible, consistent high-quality and cost-effective service
• have a proven track record of developing and manging staff, including performance management of an outstanding service

Further information

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service and requires a professional qualification and registration of Social Work, Nursing or Occupational Therapy.

The post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements.

The selection process will include psychometric assessment, Assistant Director interview including a presentation and an interview with people with lived experience.

This role is subject to holding a Full UK Driving Licence – The Council is committed to making reasonable adjustments so whilst this job requires the jobholder to drive your application will still be considered if you are unable to drive due to a disability.

The application process

Candidates are asked to indicate their preference of role in supporting the Assistant Director(s), or to be considered for all, in the ‘How you meet the requirements of the role’ section of the application.

About you

For further information on the roles please contact Alyson Wagget (by email Alyson.Wagget@kent.gov.uk) or by contacting Alyson’s Personal Assistant, Anne Adams (by email Anne.Adams@kent.gov.uk or by telephone 03000 417 650) to arrange an appointment.

About us

Work that works for you and us - let's talk flexibility!

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Please note - if you are interested, please apply soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.