Childcare Strategy and Sufficiency Manager

Bridgend County Borough Council; Bridgend; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Part time

Job summary

Bridgend County Borough Council is seeking a skilled leader to become the Childcare Strategy & Sufficiency Manager on a fixed-term basis until March 2028. You will own the statutory CSA, translate national policy into local strategy, and drive a workforce plan to support the childcare sector during a period of change.

Under a senior team, you will lead reforms, expand the childcare expansion programme, oversee capital grants, support start-ups, line-manage the team, and build strong networks

Qualifications

• Has a proven track record of managing teams and navigating change within early years, childcare, or local government.
• Understands how demographic data and policy shifts create opportunities for innovation.
• Experience with Childcare Sufficiency Assessments (CSA).
• Experience managing capital grants and public sector budgets.
• Strong relationship-builder with Welsh Government, providers and partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead the local authority's response to childcare reform and major sector changes, developing modern action plans.
• Lead the delivery and expansion of the childcare expansion programme, including capital programmes and onboarding providers.
• Support the team with new childcare start-ups and guiding existing providers to grow sustainably.
• Manage the Welsh Government small projects capital grant to fuel local growth and infrastructure improvements.
• Line-manage the Early Years Childcare Strategy & Sufficiency Team and foster an agile culture.
• Establish consultation networks with parents and stakeholders to shape place-planning.

Skills

Team leadership

Change management

Policy interpretation

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Welsh language

Job description

Childcare Strategy and Sufficiency Manager (Fixed Term)

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Contractual hours 30

Basis Part time

Job category/type Early Years and Childcare

Date posted 24/09/2026

Job reference 19148

30 hours per week

Fixed Term until March 2028

Bridgend's Early Years and Childcare Team is seeking an exceptional and forward-thinking leader to build on our existing strengths at a pivotal time of growth, change and renewed vision.

As Childcare Strategy & Sufficiency Manager you will step into a high-impact role at a defining moment. The early years and childcare landscape is undergoing significant national change, presenting a unique opportunity to innovate and reshape local services.

In this dynamic position, you will own the statutory Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA), turning national policy into ground-breaking local strategy, driving forward a local workforce strategy to support the childcare sector at a time of change.

About the role.

Supported by a knowledgeable and experienced senior team, you will:

• Lead the local authority's response to childcare reform and major sector changes, developing modern action plans that meet Welsh Government requirements;
• Lead the delivery and expansion of the childcare expansion programme, including managing capital programmes and onboarding high-quality providers;
• Support your team with new childcare start-ups and guiding existing providers to grow, adapt, and build sustainable, resilient business models;
• Manage the Welsh Government small projects capital grant to fuel local growth and infrastructure improvements;
• Line-manage the Early Years Childcare Strategy & Sufficiency Team, fostering an agile, forward-thinking culture; and
• Establish powerful consultation networks with parents and other stakeholders to capture changing demands and directly shape future place-planning.

About you.

We are looking for a leader who:

• Has a proven track record of managing teams and successfully navigating change within early years, childcare, or local government;
• Has the ability to look at demographic data and policy shifts as opportunities to innovate rather than obstacles;
• Understands the complexities of Childcare Sufficiency Assessments;
• Has experience managing capital grants and public sector budgets;
• Is a natural relationship-builder who can work positively and effectively with Welsh Government, stakeholders, private providers, and partners behind a shared vision; and
• Has strong familiarity with the early and childcare years landscape, policy and regulations.

Working as part of a supportive, collaborative and forward-thinking service, committed to continuous improvement and professional learning, the post-holder will have significant opportunities to contribute to wider system leadership and to influence priorities across early years.

The ability to greet customers through the medium of Welsh is a requirement for this post.

Applicants should be aware that, as this post may require travel throughout Bridgend, a valid driving licence and the use of a car during working hours are a requirement of appointment.

Protecting children, young people or adults at risk is a core responsibility of all council employees.

An Enhanced with Childrens Barred list criminal records check by the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) is a requirement for this post.

The council's Hybrid Working Policy applies to this post. This provides a framework for establishing how you will undertake working hours between your home and the office.

If you feel you have the necessary skills, experience and passion to thrive in what promises to be a varied, exciting and fast-paced role, we look forward to receiving your application.