Chief Officer (Education) - WDN05972

West Dunbartonshire Council; Dumbarton; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

West Dunbartonshire Council is seeking an innovative Chief Education Officer to lead educational strategies aimed at transforming learning for a digital future. The successful candidate will enhance life chances for children and young people through strong leadership and collaborative approaches, ensuring high standards are met across all educational services.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme

Minimum of 25 days annual leave, increasing to 35

Employee wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Proven success in complex, multi-agency educational environments.
• Experience in strategic leadership within the education sector.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic initiatives for Early Learning, Primary, Secondary, and ASN education.
• Build collaborative relationships with head teachers and communities.

Skills

Leadership

Data-driven decision making

Innovation

Collaboration

Job description

Job Description

Are you an innovative, people-oriented leader with vision and ambition?

We are seeking a forward-thinking leader who understands the needs of today's learners and is ready to shape education for a digital future. The ideal candidate can harness data, technology, and innovation to transform learning and leadership.

Following the retirement of our previous Chief Education Officer, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated individual to join our team.

At West Dunbartonshire Council, we are ambitious and strive for excellence. We have undertaken bold projects, including a new state-of-the-art education and community campus opening in Faifley later this year. We are committed to equity and excellence for all learners, with nationally recognized improvement approaches.

Recognized by Audit Scotland for strong strategic leadership, we have a reputation for innovative and flexible working practices. We are now looking for an equally dynamic and ambitious leader to join our senior leadership team.

As our new Chief Education Officer, you will be enthusiastic, ambitious, and full of ideas to help achieve our vision for West Dunbartonshire. You will make a positive difference for children, young people, and their families by improving life chances. This critical role reports directly to the Chief Executive and involves implementing creative strategies, policies, and leading-edge practices within an agile leadership framework.

The role includes strategic leadership of the Education Service, covering Early Learning & Childcare, Primary, Secondary, ASN, Psychological Services, and Youth Learning.

You will build strong collaborative relationships with colleagues, from head teachers to education officers, and with communities, to ensure high standards of learning, achievement, and wellbeing for our children and young people.

If you are an education leader with a proven success record in a complex, multi-agency, and political environment, and embrace our people-centred, value-based leadership approach, we would love to hear from you.

Virtual Assessment Centre: 16th and 17th July

Interview Dates: 24th and/or 29th July

Requirements

This post is a Regulated Role under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. Membership of the PVG scheme is essential. Further details can be found here.

Preferred applicants will need to join the PVG scheme or undergo an update check before a formal offer is made.

Responsibilities

The employment is excepted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions) Order 1975. Applicants are not required to disclose spent convictions, but failure to do so could result in dismissal or disciplinary action.

The Individual

The successful candidate will benefit from:

• Flexible working arrangements, with West Dunbartonshire Council voted as one of the top ten flexible employers.
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with an employer contribution of at least 19.3%.
• A minimum of 25 days annual leave, increasing to 35 days, plus 8 fixed public holidays.
• Employee wellbeing support, including occupational health and counselling.

For more about West Dunbartonshire Council, visit About Us. Additional benefits can be found here.