Executive Director - Health and Social Care

Knowsley Council; Nog Tow; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in the UK is seeking an Executive Director (Health & Social Care) to provide strategic leadership and ensure high-quality services. This role demands a seasoned leader adept at transforming health systems, fostering partnerships, and influencing key stakeholders. Responsibilities include strategic direction for Adult Social Care, Public Health, and Whole Life Commissioning. The ideal candidate will be politically astute, collaborative, and capable of driving change, with readiness to undertake DASS duties.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in senior leadership within health and care systems.
• Ability to influence at local, regional, and national levels.
• Strategic insight with practical delivery experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction in health and social care.
• Discharge statutory duties of Director of Adult Social Services (DASS).
• Lead priority initiatives and support members as community leaders.

Skills

Delivering transformation at scale

Partnership skills

Political astuteness

Collaborative leadership

Education

Statutory DASS qualification or readiness to step into the role

Job description

Knowsley is ambitious for its people. Fresh from a really positive CQC outcome (Good in all areas and in the top 4 in the country), we're building on strong foundations to deliver the best possible health and adult social care for our communities. As our new Executive Director (Health & Social Care), you'll provide inspirational, system wide leadership-setting strategic direction, championing prevention and integration, and turning vision into impact., Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will provide clear, decisive leadership across Adult Social Care, Public Health and Whole Life Commissioning, ensuring the planning, design and delivery of high‑quality, person‑centred services for the people of Knowsley. You'll be empowered and fully accountable for outcomes within your remit, making decisions that improve lives every day.

You will discharge the statutory duties of the Director of Adult Social Services (DASS), offering expert strategic advice on statutory functions and professional practice. You will be a key member of the Executive Management Team‑working corporately to deliver our Council Plan and Borough wide priorities.

About you

We are looking for an accomplished senior leader with a track record of delivering transformation at scale across complex health and care systems. You will bring credibility as a statutory DASS (or readiness to step into the role), exceptional partnership skills, and the confidence to influence at local, regional and national levels. You will combine strategic insight with practical delivery-aligning performance, people and resources to achieve better outcomes and value for money. You will need to be collaborative, partnership focussed, politically astute, and inspired by our Knowsley Better Together approach.

This role carries corporate responsibilities across the Council‑supporting members as community leaders, leading priority initiatives and when needed, deputising for the Chief Executive.

Why Knowsley?

We are a values driven authority with a clear plan, strong partnerships and a shared ambition to improve lives. You'll find a committed team, an inclusive culture, and the freedom to innovate.

At Knowsley Council, we will consider requests for flexible working. For most roles, the following types of flexibility are usually possible: flexible hours, working from home, compressed hours, and part‑time.