Recruitment Pack
Deputy Chief Executive
August 2020
Lichfield District Council
Deputy Chief Executive
Application Process
Thank you very much for your interest in this post. On the following pages, you will find details of the role to help you to complete and tailor your application.
To apply you should submit: • An up-to-date CV which shows your full career history. Make sure you demonstrate the requisite experience, competencies and personal qualities required. We recommend that this is no longer than three pages • A covering letter highlighting what attracted you to the role. We recommend that this is no longer than two pages • Names and contact details of two referees. Please indicate clearly if you do not wish them to be approached without your specific consent • Indicate you can attend the interview dates.
Please send your application by email to: [email protected]
The recruitment timetable is as follows:
Closing Date for Applications 3rd September 2020 Longlist Interviews Between 7th September and 23rd September 2020 Interviews Confirmed Week beginning 28th September 2020 Final Interview Week beginning 5th October 2020
For an informal discussion or more information on the opportunity please contact Heather Clarke on 01952 741701 or 07967 214771
Kind regards
Heather Clarke Managing Director Harris Burns Ltd
About Lichfield
Lichfield is a cathedral city and civil parish in Staffordshire, England. One of eight civil parishes with city status in England, Lichfield is situated roughly 16 miles north of Birmingham, 9 miles from Walsall and 13 miles from Burton Upon Trent. At the time of the 2011 Census the population was estimated at 32,219 and the wider Lichfield District at 100,700.
Lichfield is a vibrant and historic city and district located in the heart of Staffordshire, just north of Birmingham. Lichfield has a rich and varied history, with Georgian museums including the Samuel Johnson Birthplace and Erasmus Darwin House, through to the stunning medieval Lichfield Cathedral and National Memorial Arboretum featuring over 330 thought-provoking memorials, nestled amongst lush and maturing woodland. Lichfield's historic streets are lined with tempting shops, from high street chains to independent boutiques. Visitors will find antique shops, jewellers, antiquarian booksellers, music shops, delicatessens and much more.
Lichfield’s rich and varied history comes alive as you explore the city. Take time to admire the stunning Lichfield Cathedral and its 1,300 years of history as the only medieval three-spired cathedral in the UK. Uncover the life and times of Lichfield’s most famous son and writer of the Dictionary of the English Language at The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum. Step back in time at Erasmus Darwin House, home to the grandfather of Charles Darwin and leading 18th century doctor, scientist, botanist, inventor and poet. A short walk from the city centre there are beautiful historic parks. Beacon Park boasts over 70 acres of gardens and open space where people can enjoy a leisurely walk or a range of activities.
Lichfield is fast becoming known as the City of Festivals. From large-scale nationally recognised festivals to traditional events and music concerts to food festivals, hardly a week goes by without some kind of entertainment taking place in the city. Highlights include the annual Lichfield Festival, Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park and the popular events at Lichfield Cathedral.
About the Council
History of Lichfield District Council House Looking today at the modern complex of offices that are home to Lichfield District Council, it is difficult to imagine that parts of the building date back from as long ago as 1682, and have a history which goes back over 500 years. Both the council chamber and the leader of the council's office are housed in two of Lichfield's most historic buildings, the Old Grammar School and the School Master's House. Lichfield's Old Grammar School, which in its day ranked alongside schools such as Eton and Winchester, was on the same site as our offices for more than 400 years. In that time, it provided education to many famous faces, who later went on to be influential men of their age.
Our Values We have developed a set of values that all our staff work together to achieve in all that we do. Our values are set out in our strategic plan 2016 - 2020 and are:
Put Customers First • We are passionate about our customer service. • We always listen and work with our customer to meet their needs. • We take responsibility for things we can change and improve and encourage our customers to do the same.
Improve and Innovate • We challenge each other to look for ways to do things better. • We listen to feedback and learn from it so we can improve. • We welcome change and move forward with confidence.
Have Respect for Everyone • We listen to one another and understand each other's views and pressures. • We appreciate each other and trust our colleagues to do a good job to the best of their ability.
Strategy Every four years we put together a strategic plan. We are currently developing our strategic plan for 2020 - 2024. We've held workshops with residents and staff and will be asking for local people's views on our draft plan in the autumn. Our vision, set out in our plan, is to be a strong, flexible council that delivers good value, quality services and helps to support a vibrant and prosperous economy, healthy and safe communities and clean, green welcoming places to live. Our plan has been informed by a strong research base, set out in a focus on Lichfield District and we keep up to date on new information through our locality profiles. Our strategic plan is underpinned by our delivery plan 2016 - 2020. This sets out in detail the projects and services we will deliver to achieve our strategic ambitions.
Advert
Deputy Chief Executive
Lichfield is a vibrant and historic district located at the heart of Staffordshire. We are transforming the way we deliver our services with a strategy to be a good council that supports a diverse and prosperous economy, healthy and safe communities and clean, green welcoming places to live.
This is an exceptional career development opportunity, and the perfect role for a talented public service leader with ambition. You will lead the development of strategies, policies and plans while overseeing key corporate services including, property, ICT, marketing and communications.
To thrive in this role, the new Deputy Chief Executive will need exceptional professional knowledge, insight and leadership qualities and are likely to have wide experience in local government. You will embody the Council’s values and have a proven track record of working collaboratively, enabling people and shaping place to deliver effective public services with high levels of customer satisfaction and commerciality. You will also need to demonstrate your ability to support and advise members to deliver their aspirations.
To find out more on this role, please contact Heather Clarke or Sara Phillips on 01952 741701 or email [email protected] to receive a full information pack.
Lichfield District Council Job Description & Person Specification Post Title Grade Date Head of Service plus pay supplement Deputy Chief Executive June 2020 £63,048 plus £10,000 – subject to pay review
Reporting Relationships
Responsible to: Chief Executive
Responsible for: Service Managers and Team Leaders as designated from time to time, including ICT, communications and marketing, property, and facilities management as well as matrix management of project groups related to transformation and commercialisation.
Service Purpose and Values
To act as a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and be accountable to the Chief Executive and elected members for developing the Council’s vision, objectives and priorities and to act as deputy Chief Executive and deputy Head of Paid Service when required.
Specific Responsibilities:
The post holder will work in partnership with all Heads of Service and the Chief Executive, to oversee service delivery and lead transformation and commercialisation projects. This will include;
1. Leading the development of strategies, policies and plans while overseeing key corporate services. 2. Developing promoting, stimulating, facilitating and embedding transformational change and implementing corporate and service initiatives and improvement programmes to improve commercial effectiveness and efficiency. 3. Ensuring the Council is aware of and fully considers all opportunities to translate best practice and innovative approaches both from across the organisation and the sector as a whole 4. Leading the development of a culture of continuous improvement and innovation across the Council to respond effectively to current and future service delivery. 5. Identifying and exploiting opportunities which maximise the benefits of different operating models, including integrated and/or shared service delivery across and beyond the organisation. Ensure the effective utilisation and management of property, estates and associated assets on behalf of the Council, including the development and delivery of a strategic asset management plan along with ongoing operational property and estate management 6. Ensure the Council’s premises and places of business are appropriately managed and fit for purpose through the provision of facilities management and support. 7. Ensure the development and implementation of a digital strategy, ICT systems infrastructure and support, which proactively meets the needs of individual
services, whilst providing integrated solutions, supporting channel shift and enabling ongoing service transformation. 8. Ensure the production of and compliance with policies, procedures and guidelines to ensure that all aspects of ICT, including GIS and service / functional systems are used effectively and the highest standards of data security and protection 9. Lead on the continuous improvement of the Council’s website and digital presence and functionality including the development of appropriate strategies for championing of channel shift and digitisation across the organisation. 10. Develop and implement a communications and engagement strategy and deliver innovative and novel approaches to ensure all stakeholders are well informed and the reputation of the Council is maintained.
Generic Responsibilities (Deputy Chief Executive)
1. Work collaboratively with the Chief Executive and all Heads of Service to deliver the services within their portfolio in such a way as to ensure a ‘one council’ ethos is embedded across the Council. 2. Develop appropriate service strategies and business plans to ensure delivery of clearly defined outcomes and objectives. 3. Establish and sustain effective working relationships with portfolio holders, Cabinet and other elected members in developing and delivering service plans. 4. Pro-actively and openly prepare and share relevant service information/plans, performance data and metrics across the Council that enables more informed discussions and decision making to take place about council services and delivery options. 5. Implement appropriate mechanisms to identify and understand customer needs (internal or external) and to appropriately address these and monitor satisfaction across the Council. 6. Facilitate continuous development of the corporate policy framework reflecting the policy and priorities identified by the Council. 7. Provide constructive challenge to all managers and team leaders, motivating and inspiring them to embed a ‘one council’ culture. 8. Ensure the effective allocation, deployment and management of all resources (financial, human and physical) available to the Council within the service in order to deliver value for money service provision and respond effectively to identified service needs and priorities. 9. Foster and develop and foster effective partnerships with key stakeholders across and beyond the District to secure the maximum benefit for the Council and support the delivery of service priorities. 10.Ensure effective and continuous workforce development and that the expertise, skills and potential of employees are realised through provision of an active learning environment where opportunities to maximise contribution and nurtured and encouraged. 11.Embrace and promote the values of the organisation and ensure that the highest standards of conduct and behaviour in line with Council's Code of Conduct, including maintaining awareness and taking action wherever necessary to contribute to the safeguarding of vulnerable people. 12.Ensure that the highest levels of integrity and probity are maintained in all aspects of the Council’s decision making, including at all times respect for the role of elected members as set out in the Constitution. 13.Ensure that service provision respect and reflect the needs and diversity of communities residing within the District and decisions are taken with full regard to the Council’s policies on equality and diversity, whilst visibly demonstrating a
commitment to the principles, aims and objectives of such. 14.Represent the authority at local, regional and national level as well as advocating and promoting a positive image of the Council at all times. 15.Ensure a positive and proactive approach to the management of health and safety across all areas of responsibility 16. Participate as required in the Council’s corporate resilience and emergency planning arrangements and ensure appropriate business continuity arrangements are in place for the service.
Contacts
The post-holder will have regular contact with a wide range of stakeholders up to and including leading politicians and chief officers within the organisation and chief officer level contacts within other partner and stakeholder organisations.
Working Arrangements
The basic working week is 37 hours, based around the Council’s office hours. The nature of the duties of the post will, however, demand considerable flexibility both in terms of working hours and location, including attending evening meetings and provision of shared on-call cover (as and when required). This job description will be subject to variation in order to meet the needs of the service and the Council.
Further requirements
This is a politically restricted specified post as defined by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.
Person Specification
A = Assessed at Application I = Assessed at Interview T = Assessed through Test
Essential / Measured Criteria Desirable By Qualifications / Professional Membership
Essential a) Educated to Post-Graduate level in a discipline relevant to the post or a clear demonstration that the equivalent in depth of understanding has been gained through experience within career to date All Desirable b) A leadership qualification or evidence of extensive study of through leadership and management A/I
Desirable c) Evidence of a strong commitment to further accredited professional development
Desirable d) Strong evidence of adoption and use of digital technology
Specific Knowledge and Experience
Essential a) A Substantial experience of leading business critical corporate A/I/T services successfully at a senior level in a large complex organisation with multifunctional teams
Essential b) Substantial experience of leading large scale service A/I/T transformation initiatives (from inception to delivery of outcomes), within the public sector or a comparable customer- orientated organisation
Essential c) Substantial experience of developing and delivering commercial A/I initiatives or managing commercial services
Essential d) Thorough knowledge of the legislative and statutory A/I responsibilities in relation to one or more of the services within the portfolio
Generic Knowledge and Experience
Essential e) Substantial and successful experience of working at an advanced strategic level within a public sector organisation and with significant partner agencies and bodies
Essential f) Experience of successfully working within a Local Government organisation to deliver shared outcomes/services
Desirable g) Proven experience of effective financial management including budgetary planning, monitoring and control within tight financial constraints
Essential h) Significant experience of working successfully with elected members within political frameworks and a democratic public sector context
Essential i) Substantial experience of holding service managers/heads of service to account and to implement and follow strong performance management practices, focused around achievement of outcomes
Essential j) Significant knowledge of the local government sector and challenges
Skills and Personal Attributes
All Essential a) Ability to think and work strategically in the context of public A/I/T sector organisation, within a two-tier county area that works in partnership with a host of other statutory and non-statutory bodies at local, sub regional, regional and national scales
b) Ability to formulate and develop strategic policies and put plans in place for their effective implementation
c) Ability to adapt to a fast changing social and political environment
d) Ability to confidently respond to and manage sensitive political issues
e) An ability to grasp complex issues swiftly and respond appropriately with potential solutions
f) Outstanding communication skills -written and oral appropriate to a variety of audiences
g) Ability to inspire, motivate, positively influence and develop teams together with effective delegation within a clear accountability framework
h) Ability to provide clear direction to others in an appropriate style together with an ability to make tough decisions when required to do so
i) Ability to put in place and sustain effective performance management arrangements
j) Outstanding networking skills, to foster and build positive relationships both within and outside the Council especially with key partners and stakeholders
k) Adept partnership working skills that add value to key working partnerships
l) An ability to negotiate and influence others and build effective alliances with a range of internal and external partners
m) Ability to create and nurture a climate of trust with a variety of audiences n) Ability to manage resources effectively and respond where appropriate to unplanned and unexpected changes o) Demonstrates personal integrity with a strong adherence to corporate governance and ethics and values expected in a public service setting p) Demonstrates a high commitment to equality, diversity and wellbeing through active promotion of these agendas q) Demonstrate and understanding of the Council's organisational values and a commitment to apply them