Chief Strategy Officer (Children&Rsquo;S Reforms And Transformation)

Ackerman Pierce Ltd; England; Hybrid; GBP 73,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Kent is seeking a visionary Chief Strategy Officer for a pivotal role in children's reforms and transformation. You will lead strategic initiatives across children’s services, collaborate with multi-agency teams, and influence policy-making. The candidate should have extensive experience in public sector transformation and a Master's degree in a relevant field. This role offers a hybrid working model and a competitive salary.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in leading public sector transformation, especially in children's services.
• Track record of managing complex, multi-stakeholder programmes.
• In-depth knowledge of legislation and frameworks related to children's services.

Responsibilities

• Lead transformation across People Services focused on children's wellbeing.
• Oversee implementation of children’s legislation and guidance.
• Drive partnerships and represent at regional forums.

Skills

Public sector transformation

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Multi-agency collaboration

Digital innovation

Education

Master's degree or equivalent in relevant field

Tools

MSP

PRINCE2 Practitioner

Job description

Overview

Chief Strategy Officer (Children's Reforms and Transformation) – Salary: £73,242 - £86,518 per annum. Location: Chatham, Kent (Hybrid Working). Contract Type: 12-Month Fixed Term (with potential for extension). Closing Date: 15th October 2025. Medway Council is seeking a visionary and strategic leader to join the People Directorate as Chief Strategy Officer (Children's Reforms and Transformation). This pivotal role will spearhead one of the most ambitious transformation programmes in local government—driving the design and delivery of the Families First Partnership Programme (FFPP) and wider system reform across children's services.

Reporting directly to the Director of People (Statutory DCAS) and Deputy Chief Executive, the successful candidate will lead a multi-agency transformation programme across Children\'s Social Care, Education, SEND, and wider council services, ensuring a coordinated, innovative, and future-ready approach to delivering outcomes for children, young people, and families.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic transformation across People Services, with a strong focus on children\'s wellbeing and safeguarding.
• Oversee Medway\'s implementation of the Children Wellbeing and Schools Bill and response to Families First statutory guidance.
• Drive partnership working across agencies, aligning delivery plans with potential Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
• Represent Medway at regional and national forums, influencing policy and promoting system reform.
• Champion digital innovation, evidence-based practice, and collaborative working across all levels of service delivery.

About You

• A proven senior leader with extensive experience in public sector transformation, ideally within children\'s services.
• Strong track record of leading complex, multi-stakeholder programmes and achieving measurable outcomes.
• Strategic thinker with excellent policy analysis and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Educated to Master\'s degree level (or equivalent) in a relevant field, with qualifications in programme management (e.g. MSP, PRINCE2 Practitioner).
• In-depth knowledge of legislation and frameworks relevant to children\'s services, safeguarding, equality, and workforce development.

Why Medway?

Medway is a place of ambition and opportunity, with a clear vision for the future. We\'re committed to improving outcomes for children and families through innovation, collaboration, and transformation. This is your chance to shape the future of public services in Medway—and potentially across a new North Kent footprint.

Additional Information

• Shortlisting Date: 16th October 2025
• Please ensure all candidate submissions include:
• Right to represent
• Candidate\'s full name (and any other names they may be known as)
• Job title and candidate name in the email subject line
• Confirmation of relevant qualifications
• Contact Phil at Ackerman Pierce on (phone number removed), (url removed)