Early Years Strategic Lead

North Northamptonshire Council; Kettering; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Kettering is seeking a visionary Early Years Strategic Lead to enhance services for children aged 0-5. In this role, you will oversee training and workforce development while fostering relationships with key stakeholders. The ideal candidate has leadership experience in early years education and a strong understanding of relevant legislation. This position offers a competitive salary, flexible working options, and generous leave entitlement.

Benefits

Employee Assistance Programme

Employee Benefits Scheme

Travel rates at HMRC rates

Support for active Employee Network Groups

Generous leave entitlement

Pension scheme with significant council contribution

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in early years education.
• In-depth expert knowledge of statutory legislation and national policy related to EY.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee training, workforce development, and quality assurance aligned with EYFS.
• Foster and develop robust relationships with key stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership experience in early years education

Relationship building with stakeholders

Education

Degree level or equivalent qualification (e.g., NVQ 4, HNC)

Job description

North Northamptonshire Council is seeking a visionary and dynamic Early Years Strategic Lead to drive excellence across our Early Years services. This is a unique opportunity to lead a growing team focused on improving outcomes for children aged 0-5, ensuring high-quality provision, and delivering on statutory responsibilities.

Respectful, Efficient, Supportive, Trustworthy. Our Key Commitments help ensure that the priorities we make, now and in the future, maintain the necessary breadth of focus in those areas that we believe matter most. We are proud to be a recognised Disability Confident Employer and are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. North Northamptonshire Council re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant in June 2024 which highlights the Council's pledge to support the Armed Forces community. The council obtained the silver status award for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) and we are now currently working towards achieving Gold status.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee training, workforce development, and quality assurance aligned with EYFS and DfE guidance.
• Foster and develop robust relationships with key stakeholders, including Councillors, Directors and representatives from the DfE, Multi Academy Trusts, Trade Unions, Headteachers, Governors, Parents, and the Early Years sector.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in early years education.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification (e.g., NVQ 4, HNC) with in‑depth expert knowledge of statutory legislation and national policy related to EY (e.g., Ofsted inspection of early years settings, DfE Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage).

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee Benefits Scheme and wellbeing support
• Travel rates at HMRC rates
• Support for active Employee Network Groups
• A competitive salary
• A pension scheme with significant council contribution and life cover and ill-health protection
• Generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements to support a healthy work‑life balance

Our values define who we are and how we operate, forming the foundation for how we interact with our customers, colleagues and provide our services. They are also at the forefront of our decision making and delivery. Here at North Northamptonshire Council, we’re transforming for the better, using all our creativity and imagination to create the best life for our local people.