Assistant Director of Family Services & Strategic Partnerships

North Northamptonshire Council; Corby; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in England is seeking an exceptional leader to direct Family Services and partnerships for children and families. This role requires proven leadership, strategic insight, and a commitment to community. Candidates should have strong qualifications and experience in children's services. The position offers opportunities for significant impact across the region with travel involved.

Qualifications

• Senior experience across children’s services, family help, or related partnership environments.
• Proven strategic and operational leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of service improvement and safeguarding.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership across Family Services and Strategic Partnerships.
• Champion integrated working to improve outcomes for children and families.
• Represent North Northamptonshire on regional and national stages.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Insight

Emotional Intelligence

Communication Skills

Relationship Building

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent qualification

Job description

At North Northamptonshire Council, we’re building something special. Here, collaboration fuels innovation, ambition drives improvement, and every decision puts children and families first. Grounded in kindness, compassion, and care, we’re shaping services that make a genuine difference. Reporting to the Executive Director of Children’s Services, we’re seeking an exceptional leader to help shape the future.

We believe that great leadership is rooted in kindness, care, collaboration and community – and are looking for a values-driven leader with the vision, empathy and determination to make a lasting difference for children, families and communities across the region.

You will lead the strategic direction and operational oversight of Family Services, Family Help, Youth Work, Family Hubs and key partnership programmes, ensuring our approach is joined-up, inclusive and grounded in the voices of children, young people and families.

Working alongside senior colleagues and partners (including health, education, the voluntary sector and the Northamptonshire Children’s Trust), you will champion integrated working and deliver transformative change that improves outcomes, strengthens relationships and builds community resilience.

What You’ll Do

You’ll provide clear, compassionate leadership across Family Services and Strategic Partnerships, ensuring that services are innovative, effective and responsive to the needs of children and families. You’ll drive service improvement, safeguard quality and lead on partnership arrangements that promote co-production, shared accountability and continuous learning.

As a strategic leader, you’ll influence across systems and sectors, aligning family help, early intervention, and partnership strategies with the Council’s wider vision for children and families. You’ll ensure services are financially sustainable, evidence-led and compliant with statutory requirements, while creating a culture of collaboration, transparency and care.

This role will see you representing North Northamptonshire on regional and national stages, helping shape the agenda for family help, early intervention and system reform. Above all, your work will be guided by a simple but powerful goal, ensuring every child and family can thrive.

About You

You’re an inspiring and inclusive leader with senior experience across children’s services, family help or related partnership environments. You combine strategic insight with emotional intelligence and a deep commitment to public service. You’ll bring:

• A relevant degree or equivalent qualification.
• Proven strategic and operational leadership experience in children’s services or partnerships.
• Strong knowledge of service improvement, safeguarding and partnership delivery models.
• Exceptional communication, influence and relationship-building skills.
• Experience managing complex budgets and cross-agency programmes.
• The ability to lead with integrity, compassion and courage.

If you are a compassionate and visionary leader who believes in the power of partnership and community, we’d love to hear from you.

This role requires the ability to drive and use of a vehicle, as travel across North Northamptonshire will be necessary.

To find out more and to apply, visit www.brighterfuturennc.com or, for a confidential conversation, call Zee Rasool (07551 392696) or Anita Denton (07725 554802) at Tile Hill.

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 30th November 2025