Assistant Director - Adult Services

Venn Group; England; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in East Midlands seeks an experienced Assistant Director for Adult Services to lead strategic planning and operational delivery. You will manage a £100m+ budget and drive service transformation while ensuring safeguarding and statutory duties are met. The ideal candidate has senior leadership experience, a professional qualification, and expertise in integrated services. This hybrid role requires working approximately 3 days a week in the office.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in operational social work leadership.
• Strong background in neighbourhood health working and developing integrated services.
• Strategic management experience within a complex, political environment.
• Expertise in budget management and financial accountability.
• Excellent communication, partnership building and problem-solving skills.
• A commitment to safeguarding, equality, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Adult Services.
• Drive service transformation and innovation.
• Lead key strategic programmes with stakeholders.
• Manage a £100m+ budget for service delivery.
• Build partnerships at local, regional, and national levels.
• Inspire a talented workforce for optimal outcomes.

Skills

Operational social work leadership

Neighbourhood health and integrated services development

Strategic management

Budget management

Communication skills

Partnership building

Problem-solving

Commitment to safeguarding, equality, and inclusion

Education

Professional qualification in social care, health, or management

Job description

Assistant Director – Adult Services

Location: East Midlands (Hybrid – approx. 3 days per week in office)
Contract: Until December 2025
Start date: ASAP
Day rate: NegotiableInside IR35

A local authority in the East Midlands are seeking an experienced and visionary Assistant Director for Adult Services to join our Strategic Leadership Team. This is a pivotal role, reporting directly to the Corporate Director Adults (DASS), with responsibility for leading the strategic planning, operational delivery, and financial management of Adult Social Care services across the region.

About the role

As Assistant Director, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership for Adult Services, ensuring statutory duties and safeguarding responsibilities are fully met.
• Drive service transformation and innovation, embedding integrated and neighbourhood-based approaches to health and care.
• Lead key strategic programmes in partnership with health, social care, and community stakeholders.
• Manage a £100m+ budget, ensuring financial control, value for money, and high-quality service delivery.
• Build, nurture and maintain strong partnerships at local, regional, and national levels.
• Inspire and lead a talented workforce to deliver the best possible outcomes for residents.

About you

We are looking for a leader with:

• Proven experience in operational social work leadership.
• Strong background in neighbourhood health working and developing integrated services.
• Strategic management experience within a complex, political environment.
• Expertise in budget management and financial accountability.
• Excellent communication, partnership building and problem-solving skills.
• A commitment to safeguarding, equality, and inclusion.

A professional qualification in social care, health, or management is essential, along with significant senior leadership experience (Assistant Director level or equivalent).