Executive Director (Children's Services)
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Are you an experienced and inspirational leader in Children’s Services? If you know how to build services which deliver strong and sustainable outcomes for children and young people, Knowsley could be the right fit for you-and you for us.
Knowsley Council is looking for a children and young people’s champion to join the team and lead the Council’s Children’s Services department on its continuous improvement journey.
As Council of the Year 2024 Knowsley has been widely recognised as an exemplary local authority with a stable financial grounding and a focused and driven ambition for the future. Joining the Council’s Children’s Services team at this crucial time in its improvement journey will give you an opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people here.
As our Executive Director (Children’s Services), you will do your utmost to meet the needs and aspirations of all children and young people across the Borough in all of our diverse communities and deliver the Council’s strategic priorities across Children’s Services. This includes giving Education, Inclusion, SEND and children’s social care equal status within a holistic approach. You will provide expert advice on statutory functions and practice to the Chief Executive, Executive Management Team, and Elected Members.
As a key member of the Executive Management Team, you will support the Chief Executive, Executive Directors and Elected Members to achieve the Council’s vision of supporting all residents to thrive. We can offer you a portfolio to match your skills and link our ambition with yours.
Knowsley Council offers all of its staff a supportive, values-led working environment, where integrity, accountability, communication, respect and inclusion are at the heart of what we do. You will have access to a wide range of benefits including investment in your development, hybrid working, free car parking and flexible working.
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, part-time.
We welcome applications from residents and beyond, regardless of background, belief, or identity, recognising the value that diversity brings to our organisation. We particularly welcome applications from individuals from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and candidates with disabilities as we acknowledge their underrepresentation in our workforce.
See the benefits of working for Knowsley MBC - https://www.knowsley.gov.uk/yes.
Find further informaion regarding the role - https://www.knowsley.gov.uk/executive-director-childrens-services
We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applicants.
Key Dates
Closing date is 7 November 2025.
Longlisting will take place 10/11 November 2025.
Technical Interview (remote) 18 November 2025.
Panel Interviews (in person) 25 November 2025.
Employment and Appointments Committee (in person) 26 November 2025.
At Knowsley we value our applicants and want them to feel well-informed and welcomed. If you have any questions about this specific job role or what it is like to work at Knowsley, please contact:
Hilary Brooks – Interim Executive Director (Children’s Services) – Hilary.brooks@knowsley.gov.uk or by telephone 0151 443 2410 or alternatively James Duncan – Chief Executive - James.duncan@knowsley.gov.uk or by telephone 0151 443 3772
If you are interested in this vacancy, please upload your CV along with a supporting statement as one document in PDF or Word format. Your CV and supporting statement should be tailored to reflect the competencies within the person specification.
Please note if a CV and supporting statement does not reflect the person specification it is unlikely to be shortlisted
Salary range
- £125,712 - £137,831 per year