Strategy and Improvement Manager

inploi; Oldham; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A local children's services provider in Oldham seeks a committed Children's Services Integration Strategy and Improvement Manager. You will lead strategic improvements and manage a high-performing team to ensure national reforms are delivered effectively. Ideal candidates should demonstrate strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders. Join us to make a significant impact on the lives of children and families in our community.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Discounted gym membership

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Experience in leading and managing a high performing team.
• Experience working with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Well-developed presentation and communication skills.
• Ability to evaluate risks and offer practical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Drive development and implementation of Children's Services strategies.
• Track and evidence implementation and outcomes of strategies.
• Work with senior leaders to deliver key priorities.
• Provide effective challenge backed by robust evidence.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Job description

Children’s and Young People Children’s Services Integration Strategy and Improvement Manager

Ref: 001145

Contract: Fixed Term

Salary: £47,181 - £51,356 per annum

Hours: 36.66 per week

Location: Spindles offices, George Street, Oldham, OL1 1HD

Closing Date: Sunday 23rd November 2025

Interview Dates: TBC.

Role Overview

This is an exciting time to join Children’s Services in Oldham. We’re looking for a committed and motivated person to develop and drive strategic improvement and significant change and reform to help families keep children and young people safe and for them to have the best start in life.

If you’re looking to make a real difference, we are looking for people like you, to track progress, outcomes, and impact of improvement programmes across children’s services and co‑ordinating directorate wide work such as business planning, inspection preparation and strategy and policy development.

If you join us, we will ensure that you have everything needed to do your job well and support you to progress in your career. We have a loyal, supportive, and enthusiastic workforce who will give you a very warm welcome.

For an informal discussion, please contact [e-mail]

Key Responsibilities

• To drive the development and implementation of robust Children’s Services strategies, improvement plans and local policy to deliver national reforms
• To track and evidence the implementation and outcomes of strategies, development activity and practice standards
• To work with senior leaders to deliver key priorities and projects
• Provide effective, independent challenge, which is underpinned by robust evidence

Key Requirements

• Experience in leading and managing a high performing team
• Experience of working with a broad range of stakeholders, building consistently positive relationships, influencing senior decision makers and positively promoting organisational reputation and interests
• Well‑developed presentation, communication and interpersonal skills with an ability to explain complex information clearly and concisely to a variety of audiences
• Ability to work through problems, evaluate risks and offer practical solutions

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

About Us

We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities. We’ve identified three missions with our residents and partners, focusing on what will deliver the biggest impact:

A Great Place to Live, Healthier, Happier Lives, and Green and Growing.

We’re looking for candidates who will support us to achieve our ambitions and we encourage you to download our Corporate Plan: Ready for the Future and our Oldham Plan for further information.

Our Values and Behaviours

By driving innovation, investing in our people, and championing our communities, we will ensure that Oldham continues to be a place where everyone can live their best life. To support this, we have three core values which define who we are and how we operate. These are ‘Proud, Ambitious, and Together’, and they shape our culture, inform our decisions, and inspire us to deliver on our commitments to the people of Oldham.

We have translated these values into five behaviours which guide our actions and are the standards we hold ourselves to, day in and day out:

• Work with a resident focus
• Support local leaders
• Committed to the borough
• Delivery high performance
• Take ownership and drive change

Our Benefits Package

• 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10‑years’ service
• The option to purchase additional annual leave.
• An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.
• Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active.
• Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating‑out, eating‑in, travel, motoring and more.
• Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.
• Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.
• Staff recognition and celebration events.
• Peer support groups

Inclusive Recruitment

We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, describing available working patterns, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace.

If you’re an applicant with disabilities and have previously been in or currently in care, a carer or someone who has served in the Armed Forces and you meet the essential criteria of the role, you are guaranteed to reach the first stage of assessment under our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme.

Data and Privacy

For details of how we use your data please see our privacy notice.

Important Information

Please note that should a vacancy that has been released for internal or external recruitment be deemed suitable for a current employee at risk of redundancy, it can be pulled back at any point, up to the post being formally offered to a candidate who is not at risk of redundancy.

Employment

While we embrace the use of AI as an innovative tool to maximise our services at Oldham Council, we are looking for authenticity in applications we receive. We therefore ask you to think carefully if choosing to use AI when completing your application and ask that you ensure you read all instructions carefully and that your application is written by you and reflects your skills, knowledge and enthusiasm.

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