Strategic Director Children's & Education Services
Manchester’s young people are simply inspiring. They’re part of a a world-class city, renowned for culture, leisure and sporting success, as well as incredible diversity. And Manchester City Council has earned a reputation for being one of the most innovative local authorities in the country. Firmly at the forefront of the devolution agenda, we’ve changed the paradigm across a whole range of services, from buses to integrated health and social care.
Since 2017, our Children’s Services have been on an incredible journey of transformation. This is an exceptional opportunity to play a pivotal role in continuing this rapid trajectory of improvement, so that children and families in our city can live their most fulfilling lives. It’s a full spectrum role – from embedding excellence as an everyday service expectation, to building and shaping partnerships of purpose, to actively interrogating and influencing the evolution of systems, and contributing to the professional conversation at a regional and national level.
We’re looking for a very special person who can bring both experience and insight to this most important job. Your track record will be exemplary, and your commitment and creativity will have won you the respect of colleagues, politicians and peers alike. Able to think beyond the mainstream about resources, skills and service design, you’ll understand how to maximise the effectiveness of children’s services through collaboration as well as commissioning. It’s a stand-out job in one of the most exciting cities in Europe, and an incredible opportunity to make sure young people are at the heart of Manchester’s whole growth agenda.
For more information on this fantastic opportunity, please view the dedicated microsite, and the role profile, both linked below.
Indicative Timetable
Closing date for applications: Midnight 13 March 2025
Longlist meeting: 24 March 2025
Preliminary interviews (via Teams): 28 March 2025
Shortlist meeting: 04 April 2025
Final interviews: 5 and 6 May 2025
(these dates may be subject to slight change)
For an informal conversation about this role, please contact:
Dawn Faulkner
Email: dfaulkner@faerfield.co.uk
Phone: 0121 312 3755Rachel Tucker
Email: rtucker@faerfield.co.uk
Phone: 0121 312 3755
To apply:
To apply for this job please click on the Apply button below and fill out the requested information. When prompted, please submit your CV and a Supporting Statement (no more than four sides of A4 each).
With your CV, please also provide the names and contact details of two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be contacted if you reach the final stages, and we will not contact referees without your permission.
Your supporting statement should express why you are interested in this role and what experience you can bring to the organisation. The statement should tackle the specific requirements of the role; outlining examples and outcomes showing how you meet those requirements.
