Job Title: Head of Service- Standards & Effectiveness
Location: County Hall, Chichester (with frequent countywide travel)
Contract Type: 6-month contract, 4 days a week on-site
Salary: £550-£650/day
About the Role:
As the Head of Service- Standards & Effectiveness, you will play a pivotal role in the Education & Skills Directorate within the Department of Children, Young People, and Learning for the West Sussex local authority. This is a key position on the senior leadership team, responsible for providing strategic leadership to a diverse team to ensure operational excellence in line with the Education and Skills Strategy 2022-27 and national policy developments.
Key Responsibilities:
Raising outcomes for children and young people:
Utilise intelligence and data to address underachievement and underperformance in schools and early years settings.
Intervene using available council actions to ensure high achievement and quality.
Continuity of provision and response to local needs:
Ensure a sufficient range of high-quality early years providers, schools, and post-16 pathways to support continuity in provision.
Work towards an inclusive approach to reduce the risk of exclusion from learning.
Tailored support to meet need:
Target provision and support where needed the most, addressing challenges faced in diverse districts.
School and Early Years Support:
Provide support for improvement, including safeguarding, leadership, and governance.
Develop and deliver a model for improvement in collaboration with internal and external partners.
Post-16 Support:
Develop post-16 support to increase participation in education, training, and employment.
Lead the council's Post 16 strategy, including the development of a NEET strategy.
Transformational cross-directorate programs:
Work with cross-functional teams to identify program needs, allocate resources, and manage risk.
Drive change and continuous improvement in the Education and Skills services.About You:
Proven experience in strategic leadership, negotiation, and influencing, particularly with headteachers and senior officers.
Significant experience in recruiting and developing high-performing teams and managing large, complex change programs.
Broad understanding of the education and learning sector, from Early Years to Post-16, and knowledge of sector regulations and governance.
Strong communication skills, ability to influence stakeholders, and drive operational outcomes.
Passion for championing the rights of children, young people, and parents to access high-quality education.Requirements:
Degree and/or post-graduate qualification.
Experience within a similar role, specifically with children and/or Education
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) desirable.
Experience in commercial operations, contracting, and transformational programs.
Driving license for frequent travel across West Sussex