Welcome
Dear Applicant
Group Managing Director
Kent County Council has an extremely strong record of achievement, recognised once again recently by the Audit Commission, although that is far from the most important yardstick! We’re enormously proud of what we have been able to do for the people of Kent and of our exemplary track record. But the world is fast changing. Setting responsible budgets in these difficult financial times; ensuring the organisation is lean, flexible and ready to respond to future financial restraint; safeguarding frontline services by focusing on efficiencies and innovative approaches to delivery are just some of our current challenges. 2010 will also bring a General Election which will inevitably bring new challenges and opportunities – whatever the outcome. Standing still is not an option.
The leaders of our four main service Directorates are called “Managing Directors” and in recruiting a replacement for the Chief Executive we are deliberately calling the new role Group Managing Director. This is the most senior officer role in the authority and has all of the statutory responsibilities of Head of Paid Service. We have a strong leadership team here – both in terms of the Cabinet and our Chief Officer Group. To optimise this strength, we need a style of management which is vibrant and an individual capable of providing direction, leadership and challenge who will maximise the opportunity of a dynamic relationship between Cabinet and the Chief Officer Group to deliver innovation, success and excellence.
I’m looking for a Group Managing Director who is a radical thinker and challenges the orthodoxy. There’s no job bigger in local government. We will recruit based on existing track record and potential but we’re prepared to be open about the nature of applicants’ background - it may be that our ideal candidate was not expecting to apply for the role at this moment in time. What is essential to me is that you have star quality and an impressive track record of delivering transformational change. If you have the ambition and ability to take on a role of this profile and magnitude, I very much hope you will apply.
Yours sincerely
Paul Carter
Leader of the Council