Job Description

Children, Families and Education Directorate

JOB TITLE: Managing Director

LOCATION: County Hall, Maidstone

RESPONSIBLE TO: Chief Executive

1. Job Summary:

Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Children’s, Families and Education Directorate to provide outcomes compatible with policies and strategies identified by the Government and KCC.

2. Job Context:

Working within KCC’s political structure to implement its objectives at the highest level, the post ensures the delivery of coherent integrated education and social care services in partnership with the Health Service and a wide range of other agencies to children and young people, their families and the communities of Kent.

With a high political, national and international profile, the post works within a sensitive and constantly evolving children, families and educational environment, which in turn has a high impact upon the economically diverse and geographically disparate county of Kent.

3. Principal Accountabilities:

• Direct all elements of Children, Families and Educational strategy and policy, working within the County Council’s Policy Framework to identify and promote corporate and cross service policy options and effective strategies which enable the County Council to prioritise and utilise its resources to the greatest effect.

• Advise Cabinet Members and the Chief Executive, partners and key stakeholders on policy formation and the analysis and implementation of legislation, ensuring consistency between other Directorates and external organisations in order to meet KCC’s overarching objectives.

• Responsible for the outcomes of the Divisional Business Plans and processes for review, monitoring and evaluation for Children’s Services to provide direction and vision and ensure qualitative and quantitative indicators for service delivery are met within agreed timescales.

• Identify, develop and nurture relationships and networks at the highest level, nationally and internationally, to share information and support raising service standards; act as the Directorate and KCC representative/spokesperson where appropriate or directed.

• Responsible, directly and through Divisional Directors, for Directorate staff and workforce planning and for maintaining quality in recruitment, training and performance management and ensuring continuous professional development and improvement in service delivery.

• Directorate responsibility for the management of the CF&E budget in line with Government and KCC financial regulations, maximising opportunities for gaining external funding to support service needs and in relation to Government targets.

• Lead the Directorate’s programmes of innovation and modernisation.

• Actively contribute to the corporate management of the County Council advising elected Members through the democratic process and supporting them to ensure policy objectives and service plans are delivered.

• Lead, motivate and develop managers and staff to ensure that programmes of work are properly executed and the County Council’s policy objectives are achieved.

• Provide strategic support for associated statutory bodies such as the Kent Children’s Safeguarding Board and the Kent Children’s Trust.

• Build and develop a national and local identity as the Managing Director of Children, Families and Education in order to influence and shape, nationally, the future development of strategy.

• Contribute, under the direction of the Chief Executive, to securing the influence of the County Council with external agencies to develop services that are designed to maximise the potential for individuals and communities and underpin the economy of Kent.

 

Person Specification

Knowledge and Experience

Qualifications:	Degree or other relevant professional qualification.
	Qualification in and/or experience in one or more relevant specialist disciplines.
Experience:	Extensive experience at Board level in local government and/or large complex organisations.
	A successful track record and background of consistent achievement as a senior manager and effective team player.
	Evidence of strategic management and development of complex services, including partnership arrangements with other organisations.
	Empathy and understanding of service requirements in a devolved environment.
	Evidence of a deep understanding of the needs of children, young people and families.

Skills:

Political Awareness/ Sensitivity:	An ability to establish positive relationships with elected Members and senior colleagues, Headteachers and stakeholders which generate confidence and trust.
Leadership:	An ability to provide vision and direction to individuals, teams, schools, external partners and communities.
Communication:	Highly developed oral, written and presentational skills. The ability to influence and negotiate effectively.
Credibility:	Personal and professional credibility which commands the confidence of Members, Chief Officers, staff, external partners and relevant national bodies.
Motivation:	A high level of personal drive and commitment with the initiative to plan and deliver successful outcomes within the resources available.

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