Assistant Director of Adult Social Care

Milton Keynes City Council; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in Milton Keynes seeks an experienced Assistant Director of Adult Social Care. In this role, you will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for Adult Social Care services, managing a significant budget and workforce. The ideal candidate will have extensive senior management experience, expertise in legislative frameworks, and a strong track record in budget management and transformational change. Join us to improve lives in the community and take advantage of our excellent benefits, including generous holiday allowance and pension scheme.

Benefits

28 days annual leave, increasing to 32

Excellent pension scheme

Enhanced family policies

Employee benefits programme

Salary sacrifice car scheme

Discounts with Blue Light Card

Qualifications

• Extensive senior management experience in Adult Social Care within local government or a large, complex organisation.
• In-depth knowledge of legislative frameworks, statutory requirements, and health service regulations.
• Proven track record in managing budgets, driving performance, and leading transformational change.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational management of Adult Social Care services.
• Drive continuous improvement in statutory services, ensuring compliance with performance targets.
• Lead safeguarding initiatives and embed robust policies across Adult Services.

Skills

Senior management experience

Strategic planning

Partnership working

Communication skills

Knowledge of legislation

Education

Relevant degree and professional qualification

Job description

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Job Introduction

Join Milton Keynes City Council as our Assistant Director of Adult Social Care and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of social care for our community.

Reporting to the Director of Adult Services (DASS), you'll provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for Adult Social Care, ensuring high-quality services that meet statutory obligations and deliver positive outcomes for adults in need of care and support.

This is a brilliant opportunity to influence policy, lead transformational change, and work collaboratively across health and social care systems to improve lives in Milton Keynes.

If you would like a confidential and informal conversation pre-application, please contact Victoria Collins, Director of Adult Services via [e-mail].

This is a site-based role.

Interviews for this role will be held on 30 January 2026.

Milton Keynes City Council is a modern and friendly place to work. Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk

Main Responsibility

• Provide strategic leadership and operational management of Adult Social Care services, overseeing a budget of approximately £66 million and a workforce of 150+ colleagues.
• Drive continuous improvement in statutory services, ensuring compliance with national and local performance targets.
• Lead safeguarding initiatives and embed robust policies across Adult Services and partner organisations.
• Work with commissioning teams to set direction, monitor contracts, and ensure quality assurance.
• Manage complex casework and ensure safe, effective support for vulnerable adults.
• Build strong partnerships across health and social care systems to deliver integrated services that promote independence and wellbeing.
• Prepare and control budgets, identifying pressure areas and ensuring financial targets are met.
• Contribute to the wider Council Plan and deputise for the Director when required.

The Ideal Candidate

We're looking for an experienced and visionary leader who can navigate complexity and deliver results. You will have:

• Extensive senior management experience in Adult Social Care within local government or a large, complex organisation.
• A relevant degree and professional qualification, with evidence of continuous professional development.
• In-depth knowledge of legislative frameworks, statutory requirements, and health service regulations.
• A proven track record in managing budgets, driving performance, and leading transformational change.
• Strong strategic planning and partnership working skills, with a commitment to equality and diversity.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills to engage stakeholders and advocate for the Council's position.

Should you be offered the role, as part of the pre-employment checks an Enhanced DBS will be actioned for you (unless you are on the DBS Update Service).

Ready to make a difference? Apply now and help us deliver outstanding Adult Social Care services for the people of Milton Keynes.

Package Description

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension - everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
• Access to an award‑winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low‑cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme - low-cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles.
• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes

Our roles are either designated 'site based' or 'home based'. 'Site based' roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst 'home based' roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.

About The Organisation

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.

We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences. Milton Keynes City Council is committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the diversity of our community. We actively encourage applications from candidates who bring a range of perspectives, particularly those from underrepresented groups.

We are proud to have signed up to the Social Care Workforce Race Equality Standard (SC-WRES), a continuous improvement programme designed to help social care organisations achieve anti‑racist workplaces. Our commitment means we are actively working to identify and address inequalities, improve representation in leadership, and ensure fair treatment and opportunity for all colleagues in Adult Services. [skillsforcare.org.uk]

We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it's time for a new role.