Executive Director Children and Education (DCS)

West Surrey Council; Guildford; On-site; GBP 161,000 - 177,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Exceptional appointment up to £190k

Job summary

West Surrey Council invites applications for the role of Executive Director Children and Education (DCS) in Guildford. You will lead a new unitary authority’s children's services and education, shaping strategy, culture and outcomes, and reporting to the Chief Executive.

The role demands strategic influence across political and organisational environments. You will drive transformation, build partnerships, and lead a high-performing team within a major public service organisation poised to

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience within children's services.
• Deep understanding of statutory children's social care responsibilities.
• Experience with transformation, improvement and partnership working.
• Ability to operate as a strategic corporate/system leader in complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the new statutory Directorate of Children’s Services within West Surrey Council.
• Shape culture, ambition and identity of the new authority.
• Build partnerships and influence outcomes across public services.

Skills

Senior leadership

Children's social care

Strategic partnerships

System leadership

Transformation

Job description

Executive Director Children and Education (DCS)
Salary: £161,239 - £177,363 plus benefits (with flexibility for an exceptional appointment, up to £190,000)

Build the future. Shape lives. Lead change.

West Surrey Council is one of the most significant new local authorities to be created in a generation.

From April 2027, six existing councils will come together to form a new unitary authority serving communities across Guildford, Waverley, Woking, Surrey Heath, Runnymede and Spelthorne. This is a rare opportunity to help create a new organisation from the ground up and ensure children, young people and families are at the heart of its future.

Reporting to Susan Halliwell, Chief Executive, you will be the statutory Director of Children's Services and a key member of the Corporate Leadership Team. Beyond leading a high-performing portfolio, you will play a central role in shaping the culture, ambition and identity of a major new authority.

We are seeking an exceptional leader with the vision, credibility and drive to lead children's services and education through a period of transformation and opportunity. You will bring deep professional expertise alongside the ability to operate as a strategic corporate and system leader, building partnerships, influencing outcomes and helping to shape the future of public services across West Surrey.

We are looking for:

• A proven senior leader within children's services.
• A deep understanding of statutory children's social care responsibilities.
• Experience of transformation, improvement and partnership working.
• The ability to lead within complex political and organisational environments.
• A collaborative leader who thrives as part of a high-performing executive team.
• The ambition, resilience and energy to help build something new.

Why West Surrey?

Few roles offer the opportunity to shape a new authority from the outset. This is a chance to influence culture, create a lasting legacy and help define how a major council supports children, young people and families for decades to come.

West Surrey is looking for leaders who are excited by possibility, comfortable with ambiguity and motivated by public service.

Build the future. Lead the difference. Join West Surrey.

About Local Government Reorganisation

Local government in Surrey is changing to make services simpler, more connected and better able to respond to local needs. From April 2027, Surrey County Council and the existing district and borough councils will be replaced by two new unitary authorities: East Surrey and West Surrey.

West Surrey Council will bring together responsibility for essential local services including children's services, adult social care, housing, planning, highways, public health, environmental services, leisure and community services.

Alongside this, Surrey is working with government on plans to secure greater devolution and unlock new opportunities for local decision-making, investment and growth.

Find out more at www.surreylgrhub.gov.uk

Closing date: Sunday 8th November 2026