EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PLACE DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL APPLICATION PACK - December 2020
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PLACE
DERBYSHIRE
COUNTY COUNCIL
APPLICATION PACK
December 2020
Applicant Pack – Executive Director of Place - 1
Contents
3 Advertisement
4 Living and working in Derbyshire
5 Message from the Leader of the Council
6 About Derbyshire County Council
8 Executive Director, Place
10 Job Profile
13 Person Profile
15 Terms and Conditions of Service
16 General Information
18 Recruitment Schedule
Applicant Pack – Executive Director of Place - 2Advertisement
Derbyshire County Council
Executive Director, Place
£117,869 to £129,655 per annum
At Derbyshire County Council, we’re truly ambitious about building on our success to date and
becoming a much more modern and effective Council. We are focused on delivering best in
class services that help make opportunities for our residents and community, as well as a
great place to live and work. We’re also committed to improve and reform both our services
and our culture to meet our communities’ changing needs.
As the Executive Director for Place, you’ll be a key member of the executive leadership team
and corporate management team, have excellent strategic leadership skills and be able to
lead, influence and motivate employees successfully through change, while maintaining a
strong performance culture.
You will have strong partnership skills that will enhance the Place role in helping to shape the
development of the Derbyshire economy, especially in the delivery of economic recovery
planning and proposals post-covid.
You’ll play a key role in our move to being recognised as an enterprising Council, shaping the
organisation to expand our range of delivery models, tackling any inefficiencies and being
more commercial and proactive with our residents and communities.
All of this needs to be within the opportunities and challenges posed by climate change and
you will be at the heart of developing and delivering the strategy and plans to meet our
decarbonisation and sustainability goals.
You’ll have a proven ability to ensure we deliver our key priorities aligned to our Council Plan.
Derbyshire is a wonderful place to live, visit and work. The post will be based at County Hall
at Matlock in the heart of the Derbyshire Dales.
For further information about the role or to arrange an informal conversation with our
recruitment partner, Tile Hill, please contact Helen Anderson on 07534 602845 or Greg Hayes
on 07423 243415.
Closing Date: Midnight on Sunday 17th January 2021.
Applicant Pack – Executive Director of Place - 3Living and Working in Derbyshire
Derbyshire is in the centre of England and has a population of 803,000. The population of Derbyshire
is forecast to increase by 6 per cent by 2030.
Around 9.5 million people live within easy reach of Derbyshire in the surrounding cities of Derby,
Sheffield, Nottingham, Manchester and Leicester
Derbyshire is a place of geographical and social contrasts with a number of heavily built-up areas
and large, sparsely populated rural areas.
Chesterfield is our largest town and is home to 85,700 people. Eight other main towns have
populations of over 20,000.
A large part of the north and west of the county is very rural, much of it in the Peak District National
Park. Twenty-seven per cent of our population lives in rural areas.
Chesterfield and the other towns have their roots in traditional industries with quarrying in the North
West, former coal mining in the north east and remnants of engineering and textile industries
scattered across the county.
Our small (4 per cent) ethnic minority population is mainly concentrated in the districts of Erewash,
Chesterfield and South Derbyshire. The largest minority ethnic group is ‘Other White’ which makes
up two per cent of the total population of Derbyshire.
Derbyshire has an increasing elderly population, with our population aged 65 and over currently
making up 22 per cent of the total, compared to 18% for England.
Unemployment in Derbyshire is well below the national average, but there are hotspots in parts of
Chesterfield Erewash and High Peak where the rate is nearly twice the national average.
Derbyshire has a high reliance upon the manufacturing sector, which accounts for almost a fifth of all
employment (17 per cent), over twice the national rate of eight per cent.
Recent growth and employment levels in the service sector mean that whilst these sectors were once
underrepresented, Derbyshire is now comparable with the national average, 25 per cent and 26 per
cent respectively. Not sure where this one is from – 75% of Derbyshire is classed as Service Sector
compared to 85% for England – we use this in the LEA
Employment in the higher value sectors locally is under-represented, with fewer people in Derbyshire
work in sectors such as Business Administration, Professional & Scientific, Finance and
Communications compared with England.
There are 22 areas in Derbyshire which rank amongst the 10 per cent most deprived areas in
England. The average weekly pay is lower for residents in Derbyshire than the average for England
(£556 and £591 respectively).
The M1 motorway and railway links provide relatively good north/south communications in the east
of the county but access is more difficult in the isolated rural areas, compounded by 25 per cent of
the county being over 300 metres above sea level.
Applicant Pack – Executive Director of Place - 4Message from the Leader of the Council
It is a great privilege to be entrusted with the leadership of
Derbyshire County Council. With privilege and trust comes a great
responsibility to serve the people of Derbyshire well by delivering
high quality services, spending money wisely and making the
savings we need to make as council budgets reduce and our
population ages.
It’s not all about the Council doing everything. We are fortunate in
Derbyshire that there are so many people who are willing to give
their time to make their community a better place. We’ll also find
new ways to help people to help themselves and others in their
community, have high aspirations, take control of their lives and
become less dependent on council services.
And whilst balancing our budget and spending every penny carefully is a priority, not
everything is about money. Derbyshire County Council does not exist in a vacuum, and we
will work more closely with our partners in district and parish councils, the voluntary sector
and the health service to ensure we maximise all our resources and provide better joined
up services.
We are entering a period of significant change in how we will deliver services and in the way
our employees will work. We are using the term ‘enterprising council’ to explain how we are
changing. We will put value for money at the heart of everything we do, be efficient and
effective, get the best results for our residents and will have a bold and innovative mind-set.
This role of Executive Director of Place will be critical in the future success of the council,
sharing corporate responsibility for providing leadership on complex corporate and strategic
issues as well as providing expert professional leadership to the council in shaping the place
of Derbyshire.
Derbyshire is a wonderful place to live, visit and work. Our ambition is to make it even better
through creating the right environment for businesses to provide meaningful local jobs,
championing Derbyshire on the national stage and promoting our county as an outstanding
cultural and tourism destination.
Councillor Barry Lewis, Leader
Derbyshire County Council
Applicant Pack – Executive Director of Place - 5About Derbyshire County Council
The Council
Derbyshire County Council has:
• 64 elected members representing the 803,000 residents of Derbyshire.
• a budget of around £560 million.
The Council employs more than 12,000 people (excluding schools).
The Council’s Cabinet is comprised of the following portfolios:
• Strategic Leadership, Culture and Tourism
• Highways, Transport and Infrastructure
• Health and Communities
• Adult Care
• Clean Growth and Regeneration
• Corporate Services
• Young People
The Council Plan for 2020 - 2021 is published at: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/councilplan
Applicant Pack – Executive Director of Place - 6The Leadership Structure
The Council’s Senior Officer Leadership structure comprises of a Managing Executive Director
(CCP) as the senior accountable officer, working with three Executive Directors, with all four each
being responsible for collectively driving forward and delivering the Council’s strategic aims. There
are four departments within the Council; Commissioning, Communities and Policy (CCP), led by
the Managing Executive Director (CCP) with Executive Directors leading the remaining three as
follows,
Senior Management Structure
Managing Executive
Director (CCP)
(Head of Paid Service)
G21
Executive Director of Executive Director of Executive Director of
Adult Social Care & Children’s Services Place
Health G20 G20
G20
Director of Director of Director of Director of Director of
Legal and Finance & Organisation Corporate Community
Democratic ICT Development Property Services
Services G18 & Policy G18 G17
G18 G18
Applicant Pack – Executive Director of Place - 7Executive Director, Place
The current senior management structure accountable to the Executive Director, Place
comprises of the following four direct reports.
Executive Director, Place (Grade 20)
Assistant Service Service Service
Director – Director - Director - Director –
Resources & Highways Environment Economy and
Improvement & Transport Regeneration
(Grade 16) (Grade 17) (Grade 17) (Grade 17)
(vacant)
The Place Department provides a wide range of services which have a direct impact on the
lives of Derbyshire people.
Place shaping, whether by direct intervention or through influencing and supporting partners
is at the heart of what we do. Building fruitful relationships and working in partnership is critical
to success, whether in the support of local businesses, in providing a well maintained highway
network and efficient transport system, in supporting sustainable mineral extraction planning
decisions or in promoting the countryside that is rich and diverse both in its landscape and
also its wildlife and is a hugely attractive tourist destination.
The number one issue for many of our residents is the condition of the roads and footways.
We have a well-established and robust asset management approach and are currently
implementing a Future Highways Model, which includes conducting a detailed review of
processes and establishing and embedding partnerships with external providers.
Supporting the local economy of Derbyshire is a key aspect of the Department’s work, but
especially as we look to economic recovery post covid. The authority has been instrumental
in establishing and developing plans to support the local economy, working closely with
partners.
A restructuring of the senior management arrangements in the department is underway to
strengthen senior management capacity at Director and Assistant Director level. The proposal
is to recruit early in 2021 to the vacant Service Director, Environment and Transport, as well
as to recruit to a number of roles at the next tier down within this Division; and likewise, in the
Economy and Regeneration Division. In addition, the Service Director Highways is retiring in
May 2021, and therefore recruitment to this Service Director role will also commence in early
2021.
The Department has four divisions with responsibilities currently as follows:
Resources and Improvement Division provides leadership and support on a wide range of
departmental functions including finance, performance and quality management, customer
Applicant Pack – Executive Director of Place - 8service and engagement, Fleet and Vehicle Management, ICT business relationship
management and business services.
Each year the Division deals within excess of 90,000 service enquiries, undertakes
approximately 10,000 highway searches and investigates over 1,200 highway insurance
claims.
Highways Division - the authority operates a mixed economy model of highways provision
to provide the flexibility we need, while at the same time bringing in the scale and expertise
that is required to meet the sizeable Highways Capital programme. The Division manages the
county’s highway assets and maintains approximately 3,280 miles of roads, 2,800 miles of
footways, 91,200 streetlights, 1,080 bridges, 578 miles of retaining walls, 400 traffic signals
and 6,900 illuminated street signs. In addition, we have responsibility for providing a winter
service and clear over 1,500 miles of road equating to nearly 50% of the total road network.
Road safety education and civil parking enforcement are also important functions we
undertake. The responsibility for Emergency Planning sits within the Division and we work with
partners to provide tried and tested emergency response and capability plans that have been
strongly tested over the last 12 months through a series of emergencies which include the
Toddbrook Reservoir incident, flooding and the coronavirus pandemic.
Economy and Regeneration Division - this division strives to make Derbyshire a more
prosperous and better connected county that creates and sustains jobs, provides a skilled and
confident workforce, attracts investment and supports the Council priority of unlocking
economic growth, improving the quality of life for all Derbyshire residents. It has been at the
centre of post-covid recovery planning. We spearhead the strategic direction and delivery of
economic development and regeneration across Derbyshire, working with regional and local
partners and are responsible for delivering flagship regeneration projects, such as Markham
Vale. We lead on planning, provide expert advice on natural and built heritage assets and
environmental education and lead the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site Partnership.
We work with the bus companies to enable some 28 million passenger journeys to be made
each year and promote more active, smarter and more sustainable modes of travel to
businesses, schools and the wider community. In addition, we arrange transport to enable
older and disabled people to access day care and for young people to get to school.
Environment Division – this division has responsibility for protecting and enhancing
Derbyshire’s 2,625km2 of natural and built environment. We manage a variety of countryside
assets including 3,200 miles of rights of way, 10 miles of canals, 250 miles of Greenways, 8
sites of special scientific interest, 10 nature reserves and 1,000 hectares of woodland and 23
former landfill sites. Waste involves the disposal of 400,000 tonnes of local authority collected
waste per year and we also provide 9 household waste recycling centres.
The Division is also responsible for flood risk planning and management to the residents of
Derbyshire.
Climate change is a key priority, and the responsibility for the development of the overall
strategy and action plan for the Authority lies in this area. This includes developing internal
council initiatives, as well as working with external partners to develop a natural capital
strategy and influence and facilitate the actions needed to decarbonise and make our authority
and county more sustainable.
Applicant Pack – Executive Director of Place - 9Job Profile
Job Title: Executive Director, Place JE Ref: 2049
Department: Place
Job Family: Leadership Job Grade: 20
Purpose of this role:
Executive Directors will act as a member of the Executive Leadership Team working
with the wider corporate management team, Cabinet and other Members to provide
strategic, visionary leadership for the Council.
The role will ensure the development and implementation of council wide strategic
policies and plans which will deliver the Council’s strategic aims and ensuring the
effective provision of the respective functional services (i.e. Adult Social Care and
Health, Children’s Services, CCP, Place).
Key relationships:
• Cabinet and other Members
• Executive Directors
• Directors and senior officers.
• Other local authorities
• Public, private and third-party sector partnerships, and providers.
Key result areas include:
The collective leadership responsibilities are as follows:
Shaping the Future
- Provide strategic, visionary leadership for the Council contributing to the
delivery of the Council’s strategic aims.
- Act as a proactive member of the Corporate Management Team, contribute to
the strong and effective corporate management of the Council’s services.
- Support the democratic process, providing advice to elected members on the
appropriate response to local, regional and national matters that have
implications for the services.
- Seek to improve the overall reputation of the Council, representing the Council
at appropriate local, regional and national forums.
Applicant Pack – Executive Director of Place - 10Leading and Working Through Others
- Ensure effective and open communication and good working relationships with
the corporate management team, members, directorates, external agencies
and partnerships, to eliminate silo working to support delivery of Council’s
strategic aims.
- Develop and implement effective communication and engagement
arrangements with service users, stakeholders and partnership agencies in
order to develop a high-level understanding of the roles and delivery of services
and to facilitate input to the development of related strategies and plans.
- Promote an organisational culture that is positive, forward-looking, embraces
change, outcomes orientated, and community focused in an environment which
is fair, supportive and open enabling employees to feel empowered and valued.
- Seek to improve the lives of all residents in Derbyshire, empowering
communities ensuring that communities Derbyshire have access to the
Council’s services relevant to their needs. Work across the authority to ensure
the delivery of an integrated whole system approach to developing and
supporting sustainable communities.
- Actively promote and contribute to a culture that generates a positive and
inclusive environment in accordance with the Council’s Equality and Diversity
policy.
Delivers Results
- Seek to deliver services within budget engaging and consulting with
stakeholders, partners, communities and employees to ensure services are
outcome focussed and provide value for money, reflecting the Council’s wider
strategic objectives and securing the financial viability of the authority.
- Ensure national standards and relevant statutory requirements are met and the
Council’s Code of Conduct is adhered to.
- Champion and embed a performance and quality assurance culture that
delivers results through rigorous open challenge, personal accountability and
continuous improvement.
- Ensure performance oversight and compliance with the Council’s Health &
Safety policy/procedures and that of any resources for which the role is
responsible for, providing safe working environments and developing practice
to maintain the physical and mental health of employees.
Applicant Pack – Executive Director of Place - 11- Champion and lead corporate risk management in relation to service delivery
and own and hold accountability for the corporate risk management framework,
utilising risk and asset management practice to embed a culture of innovation
in the use of resources and shared learning across service boundaries and
partnerships.
- Champion and comply with the Council’s policies on information security
including the ICT Security Policy, Internet and Email Policy and Safe Haven
Guidance.
In addition to Collective Leadership Responsibilities, Executive Directors are
responsible for functional/role specific responsibilities and those aligned to the
Executive Director, Place, are outlined below:
- To ensure that the Highways services provided create well connected
communities, with improved conditions of roads, footways and footpaths,
improved road safety and improved access to public transport and community
accessibility.
- To ensure that the authority meets the targets and requirements of all relevant
legislation in respect of waste management, including the procurement and
management of new contractual arrangements for waste treatment facilities.
- To lead and maximise effort within the authority to influence and facilitate
change across Derbyshire to meet national and local climate change targets,
including ensuring services protect and enhance the environment, improve
access to the countryside, and encourage participation in leisure, recreation
and learning activities.
- To define and pursue Derbyshire’s economic priorities, working in a complex
strategic environment and agreeing and coordinating joint strategic priorities for
all partners.
- To maximise investment and external funding into Derbyshire through targeted
service delivery, through the design and delivery of the capital programme in
support of the economic and infrastructure priorities within Derbyshire.
Applicant Pack – Executive Director of Place - 12Person Profile
Job Title: Executive Director, Place JE Ref: 2049
Department: Place
Job Family: Leadership Job Grade: 20
Experience Essential
Significant and successful experience of:
• Working at a senior strategic level within a large, complex and
unionised environment.
• Multi agency and partnership working in a comparable multi-
functional organisation.
• Demonstrable success at senior level in the initiation,
development and management of effective change and major
policy initiatives
• Experience of delivering transformational and cultural change,
and politically sensitive programmes within a large complex
organisation
• Leading, managing and developing employees to sustain high
levels of service delivery.
• Establishing a strong performance culture including effective
performance measures, evaluation of service quality and the
improvement of service delivery to achieve the Council’s
objectives
• Developing and delivering complex capital programmes and
projects, in multi-partnership arrangements
Desirable
• Extensive experience in a public sector organisation
Skills and Essential
knowledge • Proven commercial acumen and ability to lead the strategic
delivery of services to obtain best value for money in a complex
public sector environment
• Ability to convey a clear vision and demonstrate an
entrepreneurial mind-set through the provision of effective
organisational leadership
• Ability to provide balanced strategic advice and guidance in a
political setting.
• Able to develop and sustain effective team, partnership and multi-
agency working through strong effective advocacy, influencing
and negotiating skills.
• Demand commitment and results, with the ability to lead and
motivate people with respect and empathy.
• Provide creative solutions to complex problems together with high
level analytical, presentational and communication skills.
Applicant Pack – Executive Director of Place - 13• Ability to establish and sustain positive relationships that generate
confidence, ability and trust.
• Knowledge of the statutory framework governing local
government.
• Able to influence and negotiate at a strategic professional and
political level, locally, regionally and nationally.
• Understanding of the barriers to organisational and cultural
change and being a catalyst for change
• A thorough understanding of highways, transport, waste, strategic
planning, economic development and regeneration and
environmental matters including climate change and
sustainability, local government and the relevant legislation.
Personal Essential
Effectiveness • Personal and professional demeanor and credibility which
commands the confidence of elected members, senior managers,
staff, external partners and external stakeholders
• A strong lateral thinker with the ability to provide creative
solutions
• Leads by example with an empowering and open style
• Highly motivated and high levels of sensitivity, judgement, energy,
enthusiasm and flexibility.
• A commitment to achieving the Council’s vision and key
objectives.
• Demonstrates a high level of probity and integrity.
• Is committed to equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion.
• A commitment to continuous self-improvement.
Qualifications Essential
• Degree equivalent and /or professional qualification in a relevant
core discipline.
• Evidence of continuing management and personal development.
Applicant Pack – Executive Director of Place - 14Terms and Conditions of Service
This post is subject to the general conditions of service as negotiated by the Joint Negotiating
Committee for Chief Officers of Local Authorities, as supplemented by local agreements or
conditions of service adopted by the Council.
Salary – the salary attached to this post is £117,869 to £129,655 per annum, Grade 20 on the
Derbyshire Pay and Grading Structure, within the Leadership job family.
Any offer of employment will be subject to two satisfactory references and satisfactory pre-
employment medical screening.
Hours of work – you will be required to work the hours necessary to meet the needs of the
Council as reasonably required, including attendance at meetings outside office hours.
Annual leave – 34 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
Work location – the post is based at County Hall in Matlock, Derbyshire. You may be required
to work at any location within the county.
Pension – you will be eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme. Further
information on alternatives will be provided to the successful candidate.
Political restriction – the post is classified as ‘politically restricted’ in accordance with the1989
Local Government and Housing Act or any re-enactment thereof.
Whole time service – the appointment is to the whole-time service of the Council and the post
holder must not engage in any other business or take up any additional appointment without
the express consent of the Council.
Notice – the appointment will be subject to 3 months’ notice on either side.
The conditions of service above are for guidance only.
Further information on the Derbyshire Package is available on the Council’s website
https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/site-elements/documents/pdf/working-for-us/jobs/new-
starters-booklet.pdf
You will have the opportunity to discuss any questions at interview.
Applicant Pack – Executive Director of Place - 15General Information
Job Families
Our jobs are organised into job families; this helps us be more flexible in the way we respond
to changing service needs and pressures by deploying employees flexibly to meet service
demands.
Work is described by ‘role profiles’ which give examples of the key accountabilities, typical
skills and competencies for each grade in the job family. These ‘role profiles’ allow us to see
how jobs are organised within each grade in the job family and the potential career paths. We
also use them in considering training and development plans. These are on our website:
www.derbyshire.gov.uk/working_for_us/ workforce development/job families/role profiles/
default.asp
If you are successful in your application, the work that you do will be based upon the
expectations in your role profile. This may change over time as our service priorities change
to meet the needs of our customers. Any changes will be discussed with you and will remain
consistent with the expectations of your role profile.
The job profile you used to apply for the job will help shape the early expectations. It will help
you to agree and review your performance and identify any support you need in your new role.
Equality and Diversity
As one of the largest employers and providers of services in Derbyshire, we are aware of our
responsibilities to local people. We recognise that discrimination exists in many forms and we
will do everything we can to both prevent and eliminate discrimination wherever it may exist
within the organisation.
We aim to ensure that everyone who works for or who wishes to work for us, and those who
receive our services, are treated fairly, without prejudice or discrimination on grounds of their
age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and
maternity, race, religion and belief or sexual orientation.
Our Equality and Diversity policy has the wholehearted support of the recognised trade unions,
and all our employees are responsible for its implementation, whatever their job. We intend to
provide training to all members and employees to avoid discrimination occurring.
If you are disabled and meet the essential criteria for a vacancy that you are applying for, you
will be guaranteed an interview under the ‘Disability Confident’ scheme. We have established
consultative forums with disabled, black and minority ethnic and lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender employees.
If we appoint you and you are disabled, we will try to provide facilities, where appropriate, to
help you undertake the job. We encourage you to identify any needs to help us meet our duties
under the Equality Act.
Applicant Pack – Executive Director of Place - 16Code of Conduct
Our Code of Conduct applies to all employees and aims to help you maintain and improve
standards. It also protects you from misunderstandings or false criticism. It may be
supplemented by further requirements in certain areas of work.
Medical Questionnaire
All appointments are subject to medical clearance. If you are successful at interview, you will
be asked to complete a confidential medical questionnaire.
Environmental Policy
As a decision-maker, major employer, provider of services and agent for economic
development, the Council recognises the significant impact we have on the environment. We
also recognise that employees have an important contribution to make in carrying out our
environmental policy. With that in mind, we encourage you and will expect you, when carrying
out your duties and responsibilities, to be conscious of the environmental impact of your
actions. Wherever possible employees should work to reduce resource and energy use and
minimise waste.
The County Council has a travel plan that seeks to reduce the social and environmental
impacts of road vehicles caused by its business. This includes a voluntary car share scheme
for employees at certain work bases, including County Hall.
Applicant Pack – Executive Director of Place - 17Recruitment Timeline & How to Apply
The following timetable sets out the key dates in the recruitment process:
Stage Date
Closing date for applications Midnight on Sunday 17th January 2021
Preliminary interviews with Tile Hill Week commencing 25th January 2021
Officer / stakeholder panels Tuesday 9th February 2021
Final interviews with Members Wednesday 10th February 2021
To apply, visit https://www.tile-hill.co.uk/job/executive-director-place
Please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV, along with a supporting statement (maximum
of up to three pages of A4).
Your application should include:
• Full contact details
• The position you are applying for
• Names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees (we will not
contact referees without your permission)
• Notification of any dates when you are not available
• Current salary package
For further information about the role or to arrange an informal conversation with our
recruitment partner, Tile Hill, please contact Helen Anderson on 07534 602845 or Greg
Hayes on 07423 243415.
Closing Date: Midnight on Sunday 17th January 2021.
COVID-19
We are closely monitoring the impact of COVID-19. We appreciate this is a fluid situation and,
therefore, will be adapting our recruitment processes accordingly. All our recruitment activities
will continue to provide a fair and transparent experience. If you have an accessibility need
and/or require reasonable adjustments to the interview process, please state this in your
application.
Applicant Pack – Executive Director of Place - 18You can also read
