Appendix 2
Heads of Service
February 2012
Reports to
Corporate Leadership Team
Direct staff reports
Variable
Total staff managed
Variable
Purpose of the Role
To work with the Corporate Leadership Team (Chief Executive and Corporate Directors) in
the leadership of the Council so as to deliver the Council’s Corporate Plan and provision of
high quality services to the District’s residents, businesses and visitors. This will include the
following:•
•
•
•
•
•
Supporting the Corporate Leadership Team in the delivery of the Council’s priority
objectives as expressed through the Corporate Plan
Promoting the values and principles of the Council in the delivery of services and
engagement with our local communities
Developing and overseeing the service business plans and work plans required to
deliver the Council’s objectives in line with the Corporate Plan
Taking lead responsibility for allocated service area(s) through the direction and
leadership of staff teams
Working collaboratively across the organisation in the delivery of the
improvement themes and annual action plans as directed by the Corporate
Leadership Team
Acting as a role model for staff to support the organisation’s continuous
improvement and values
Key Result Areas
Corporate responsibilities
1. To understand the Corporate Plan priorities and values and contribute to the delivery of
these in the provision of high quality services to local residents and communities
2. Work across the Council as a member of the senior management team to achieve
corporate and collective goals and contribute to the delivery of the Council’s objectives
3. Develop a collaborative approach to service delivery across the Council taking the lead in
the provision of key services areas / functions to be agreed to deliver positive outcomes
beyond traditional service boundaries where required and directed.
4. Have lead responsibility for the management and development of a range of services (to
be advised) and the staff that deliver these services, as well as external suppliers /
contractors or through shared service arrangements as appropriate
5. Develop robust performance and risk management systems in respect of the key
service area(s) for which you are responsible so as to provide management reports to
the Corporate Leadership Team and elected members
6. Effectively deploy the Council’s staff, financial and asset resources in the delivery of
services for which you have lead responsibility
7. Determine work priorities in line with service business plans and work plans which
support the corporate priorities to ensure that high standards of customer service
underpins all that the Council does
8. Seek to continually improve operational and personal performance and that of staff
9. Actively encourage, motivate and support others to meet their objectives.
10. Any other work required and as directed within the confines of the existing grading and
post
Operational responsibilities
Responsible for the following functions;
These may change subject to consultation with the post holder.
Heads of Service
Experience/
Knowledge
Evidence of recent achievement and success in a senior management role
Demonstrable experience of working within a senior management team to
deliver shared results
Experience of multi-disciplinary team working and an ability to deliver
corporate objectives and messages successfully across a diverse range of
services.
Experience of designing and delivering change management processes
with evidenced outcomes
Keen political awareness, and experience of and confidence in operating
at the political/management interface and experience of translating political
direction into action
Possess a clear understanding of the relevance of strong governance,
financial and performance regimes
Experience of successful collaborative working with external organisations
across the public, private and/or community sectors
Evidence of managing fairness, equality and diversity in employment and
service delivery
Knowledge and understanding of the challenges facing local government
and the wider public sector
Extensive knowledge of local government governance context and issues.
Qualifications
Degree or relevant professional or management qualification
Competencies
Make an active contribution to an environment of trust and mutual respect
within the senior management team.
Ability to envision and translate the bigger picture into clear service
direction
Ability to assimilate unfamiliar and sometimes technical information about
services and apply transferable skills outside of postholder’s direct
experience or control in order to contribute to the Council’s priorities,
objectives and aims.
Political awareness and astuteness, to include the ability to build effective
and appropriate relationships with elected councillors; supporting them in
relation to own service area(s) and in line with Council’s improvement
themes as allocated by CLT.
Clarity of thought and ability to process complex information
Ability to communicate across a range of levels of understanding
Influencing, persuading and negotiating skills
Partnership and consensus building abilities
Ability to lead and inspire others to contribute towards achieving
organisational success through team building and collaborative working
Demonstrable ability to undertake effective service development and
transformation which delivers the most cost effective and efficient services
for the Council.
Ability to “model” appropriate behaviours that encourage a culture of
empowerment, initiative and transparency across the Council.
Personal Qualities
and Attributes
Self-awareness
Openness and honesty
Personal resilience
Ability to work under pressure
Probity and integrity
Fairness and consistency
Highly developed political acumen and astuteness.
Ability to challenge self and colleagues constructively and sensitively.
Personal
Circumstances
The job will involve some evening and occasional weekend working