Executive Director, Children & Education (West Surrey)

Kirklees Metropolitan Council; Guildford; On-site; GBP 161,000 - 177,000; Full time

Job summary

West Surrey Council is forming a new unitary authority serving Guildford, Waverley, Woking, Surrey Heath, Runnymede and Spelthorne. From April 2027, you will be the statutory Director of Children’s Services and a key member of the Corporate Leadership Team.

You will lead a high-performing portfolio and shape the culture of the new authority. You will bring deep expertise in children's social care and act as a strategic corporate leader, building partnerships and influencing outcomes across

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in children's services.
• Deep understanding of statutory children’s social care responsibilities.
• Experience of transformation, improvement and partnership working.
• Ability to lead within complex political and organisational environments.
• Collaborative leader who thrives in a high-performing executive team.
• Ambition, resilience and energy to build something new.

Responsibilities

• Lead the statutory Director of Children’s Services and a key Corporate Leadership Team member.
• Shape culture, ambition and identity of a major new authority.
• Build partnerships, influence outcomes and drive systemic public service reform.

Job description

West Surrey Council is forming a new unitary authority serving Guildford, Waverley, Woking, Surrey Heath, Runnymede and Spelthorne. From April 2027, you will be the statutory Director of Children’s Services and a key member of the Corporate Leadership Team.

You will lead a high-performing portfolio and shape the culture of the new authority. You will bring deep expertise in children's social care and act as a strategic corporate leader, building partnerships and influencing outcomes across