Director of City Services

Coventry City Council; Coventry; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Coventry City Council is seeking an exceptional and experienced senior leader to provide strategic leadership for our city operations, highways and network management, environmental services and major capital delivery portfolio. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, the successful candidate will drive innovation, transformation and financial sustainability across a wide range of services.

The role requires a proven ability to lead complex operational services, manage large budgets and

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex operational services and capital programmes.
• Ability to manage large budgets and contracts within a political environment.
• Proven track record of driving performance improvements and customer outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for city operations, highways, environmental services and capital delivery.
• Build partnerships across public, private, voluntary and community sectors.
• Inspire high-performing teams and drive continuous improvement.
• Represent the council to elected Members, residents and stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Public sector experience

Contract management

Communication & influencing

Partnership building

Financial management

Job description

Coventry City Council is seeking an exceptional and experienced senior leader to provide strategic leadership for our city operations, highways and network management, environmental services and major capital delivery portfolio. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring Coventry remains a clean, safe, sustainable and well-run city, delivering high-quality, resident-focused services while driving innovation, transformation and financial sustainability.

The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of leading complex operational services and delivering measurable improvements in performance, quality, compliance and customer outcomes. They will bring significant experience of managing major infrastructure and capital programmes, overseeing large budgets and contracts, and working successfully within a political environment. An ability to build effective partnerships across public, private, voluntary and community sectors will be essential to delivering shared ambitions for the city and region.

Combining strategic vision with operational excellence, the successful candidate will be a visible, credible and resilient leader who can inspire high-performing teams, drive continuous improvement and make sound decisions in complex and challenging environments. They will possess strong commercial and contractual expertise, excellent communication and influencing skills, and the ability to build trusted relationships with elected Members, residents, partners, contractors and senior stakeholders.

Above all, we are looking for a collaborative and values-driven leader who is committed to equality, inclusion and public service, with the expertise to lead highways, Home to School SEND passenger transport operations, fleet, parking, waste, public realm and capital delivery services to achieve lasting benefits for Coventry's communities.

At Coventry City Council we are dedicated to making a positive difference to the services we deliver to the citizens of Coventry. The work we do improves people's lives - from helping them into work to providing clean and green places to live, to keeping people safe and protected.

Our aim is simple, to increase the economic prosperity of the city and region, improve outcomes and tackle inequalities within our communities and tackle the causes and consequences of climate change.

At Coventry, we're building a workforce that reflects our diverse communities. Guided by our One Coventry Values, we celebrate inclusion, diversity of thought, and lived experience. We especially welcome applicants from minority ethnic/global majority, LGBT+, those with a disability, and neurodiverse backgrounds - your voice can help shape a fairer future for our residents.