Overview of the role
By Julie Towers
Managing Consultant, Tribal
Introduction
The job title "Chief Executive" should speak volumes about a role. That's certainly the case at Ealing; where the position is vacant following Darra Singh's appointment to the major challenge of Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus and second Permanent Secretary at the Department for Work and Pensions.
Ealing is special. It has a real sense of passion, pride and place. It's also incredibly diverse and challenging.
In order to give prospective candidates more insight into the role I have spoken to all the political Group Leaders, all the senior management team, and a range of partner organisations. I hope this overview will help you decide if Ealing is the right place for you. If it is, I am confident you will not be disappointed with what you find.
Ambition
In preparing for this recruitment I have been struck by the consistently shared vision for the Council and the community.
It is clear from my conversations that while huge progress and real achievement has been made, Ealing's ambition remains undimmed. Being the UK's Best Achieving Council 2009 and gaining a 4 Star and Improving Strongly CPA rating are seen as no more than a great start.
The Council aspires to be outstanding in everything it delivers. To increase customer satisfaction from an already high 72%. And to drive forward further efficiencies.
With such ambitions, expectations for the new chief executive to deliver are indisputably high.
Finances
The current financial climate will increase the challenge. While Ealing is in good financial shape, the Council is acutely aware of the need to plan ahead and adapt to challenging times.
Its commercial and enterprising approach will help. There's a real sense of already being prepared, having plans in place, and being creative about what is delivered and how.
The new Chief Executive will be expected to help shape this, to develop innovative and brave ideas, and gain support for them, in order to ensure Ealing remains ahead of the game.
Working Style
Ealing is a strongly Member-led authority. Cross-party working is excellent, there is shared ambition for outcomes for local residents, and a common sense of purpose around performance improvement.
Darra has worked with first Labour and now Conservative administrations during his tenure. His ability to do this confidently and professionally has been important to all Members, and they will expect no less from his successor.
Members, senior managers and partners alike want a new Chief Executive with energy and clear leadership skills. Someone who will be inspiring, challenging, accessible, personable, and have a sense of humour. Everyone is used to a very fast pace and a focus on delivery, and expects more of the same.
A Strong Team
The new Chief Executive will inherit a strong management team. It has a real "can do" attitude and a track record of delivery.
Importantly though, it's also open to change. Not change for change's sake, but change that enables more effective delivery of services to the community. Your ideas on this will be welcomed and embraced.
Partnerships
Partnership working is a high priority and there's a great platform to build on.
Partners enjoy good relationships with the political and management leadership teams of the Council and expect this to continue. The Council and its partners share a vision, and everyone feels there's opportunity to work creatively to develop more innovative solutions and better outcomes for the community.
Regeneration, in particular, will be a focus and while public and private sector funding issues will make progress challenging, Ealing is ambitious. Ensuring the Borough benefits from Cross Rail, the Olympics and other key economic development opportunities is essential.
There's also a strong commitment to improving public health and community safety. The Chief Executive will need to understand and contribute to these agendas.
In Conclusion
It's clear that energy, pace and passion are the watchwords for Ealing and the new Chief Executive will need to have all three in abundance.
This is a Council that is business-like and likes doing business. It has ambition for its community and is prepared to make hard decisions in a challenging climate and be focused and decisive to deliver on its objectives.
The challenge for its next Chief Executive is to maintain the momentum and add extra value. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to be, contact me on 07764 791736 or my colleague Barry Honnah on 07818 013553.