Job reference REQ00000017732 Date posted 13/01/2025 Application closing date 09/02/2025 Location Blank Salary £78,536 - £81,330 Package Blank Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Attachments Blank
INTERNAL ONLY
Salary: £81,330
Location: Kendal, Penrith or Barrow
Contract Type: Permanent
About this opportunity
This is a pivotal and dynamic role in shaping how Westmorland and Furness Council delivers its community leisure services, manages parks, open spaces, and cemeteries, and oversees festivals and events on Council land. The role will also be responsible for coordinating Safety Advisory Groups (SAGs) and responses to event organisers for large-scale festivals, events, and gatherings across the area.
The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership to ensure services meet community needs. In this position, the focus will be on policy development and strategic planning, driving progress through partnership working and collaboration with Locality Boards, Portfolio Holders, the voluntary sector, and the community.
You will work closely with key stakeholders, including the Assistant Director of Community Infrastructure, Portfolio Holder(s), Locality Boards, Senior Managers, service leaders, and Trade Union representatives. The role involves developing business cases and strategies that align services with the vision and objectives of the Council Plan. This will be achieved through engaging with existing and new partners from the private, public, and voluntary sectors, as well as listening to our customers and communities. Cross-directorate collaboration with asset management, grounds maintenance, public health, safer communities, planning, legal, and finance teams will be essential to delivering safe, cost-effective, and efficient services.
Who we are looking for…
We are seeking a highly experienced leader with extensive knowledge of the service areas relevant to outdoor and leisure services, including statutory responsibilities and the regulatory framework. A deep understanding of local authority and wider public sector strategies and initiatives is essential, along with a strong grasp of service standards and performance criteria.
The ideal candidate will have a successful track record in leading cultural and behavioural change, fostering new ways of working to improve outcomes for customers. You will bring highly developed communication, negotiation, and challenge skills, with the ability to engage with a wide range of audiences and a clear commitment to delivering excellent customer service.
You will have extensive senior management experience within a complex, democratically accountable organisation, with a proven ability to lead policy development in a politically sensitive environment. Your analytical and problem-solving skills will be well-developed, and you’ll be capable of coaching others in these areas.
Key to your success will be your ability to build strong external partnerships with stakeholders to deliver key strategies and programmes, as well as developing effective working alliances within the organisation. Experience in customer engagement and advocacy is also crucial, ensuring continuous improvement in service delivery.
You will have a proven record of delivering efficiencies and ensuring value for money in service provision, contributing to the Council’s strategic goals.
What can we offer you!
Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site. Our benefits | Careers
Would you like to find out more?
For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please see our attachments.
If you have any queries about this role or would like an informal chat about this opportunity, then please contact david.haughian@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.
Application and Interview information
Closing date: 9th February 2025
Interview Date: TBC
We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Options will be discussed with candidates once they have been invited to the interview stage of the process for this specific position, and if you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.
Safer Recruitment
At Westmorland and Furness Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and we expect all workers, employees and volunteers to share our commitment.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.
As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.
We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old, that meet the essential criteria for the role.
Please see below the supporting information:
Post Specification
Role Profile
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