Director Children's Services

Local Government Chronicle; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in Cardiff is seeking a Director of Children's Services to provide strategic leadership on services for vulnerable children and families. The successful candidate will offer key analysis and advice to Cabinet members, drive performance, and play a crucial role in service integration. Experience in public service leadership and strong analytical skills are essential. This role offers the chance to impact the lives of over 362,000 residents in a dynamic and ambitious environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in strategic leadership roles within public service.
• Proven ability to deliver effective services to vulnerable populations.
• Strong analytical skills and experience advising senior management.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for children's services.
• Deliver robust analysis and advice to Cabinet Members and Councillors.
• Drive performance and focus on improvement within the Council's services.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Service delivery management

Analysis and advisory

Education

Relevant degree in social work or related field

Job description

Director Children's Services

Cardiff County Council – Cardiff, UK

Employment Type: Permanent

Published on: 4 Dec 2025

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a vibrant and diverse city and to be part of a dynamic senior management team of a leading public sector organisation with 15,000 employees delivering over 700 individual services to over 362,000 residents. A recent independent peer review found that Cardiff Council is a 'good and ambitious Council' with a 'can‑do and optimistic' culture.

Reporting to the Corporate Director - People and Communities, you will provide strategic leadership and direction on the integration of services provided to vulnerable children and families across Cardiff, including the provision of analysis and robust advice to Cabinet Members and Councillors on the best options and methods to deliver relevant aspects of the administration's Stronger, Fairer, Greener commitments and the Council's Corporate Plan.

As a member of the Council's Senior Management Team, you will play an integral strategic role in leading highly effective service delivery, reshaping the Council and driving performance to ensure continued focus on improvement.

Mae hwn yn gyfle cyffrous i weithio mewn dinas fywiog ac amrywiol a bod yn rhan o uwch dîm rheoli dynamig mewn sefydliad cyhoeddus arweiniol sydd â 15,000 o gyflogeion yn darparu dros 700 o wasanaethau unigol i dros 362,000 o breswylwyr. Canfu adolygiad annibynnol gan gymheiriaid yn ddiweddar fod Cyngor Caerdydd yn 'Gyngor da ac uchelgeisiol' gyda diwylliant 'cadarnhaol ac optimistaidd'.

Gan adrodd i'r Cyfarwyddwr Corfforaethol - Pobl a Chymunedau, byddwch yn cynnig arweiniad a chyfeiriad strategol ar integreiddio gwasanaethau a ddarperir i bobl sy'n agored i niwed ledled Caerdydd, gan gynnwys cynnig dadansoddiadau a chyngor cadarn i Aelodau Cabinet a Chynghorwyr ar y dewisiadau a'r dulliau gorau o gyflawni elfennau perthnasol ar ymrwymiadau Cryfach, Tecach, Gwyrddach y weinyddiaeth a Chynllun Corfforaethol y Cyngor.

Fel aelod o Uwch Dîm Rheoli'r Cyngor byddwch yn chwarae rhan strategol annatod wrth arwain y gwaith o ddarparu gwasanaethau hynod effeithiol, gan ail-lunio'r Cyngor a sbarduno perfformiad er mwyn sicrhau ffocws parhaus ar welliant.