Job Introduction
Are you ready to lead one of the most ambitious transformation programmes in Local Government?
Medway Council is seeking a visionary and strategic leader to join our People Directorate as Chief Strategy Officer (Children’s Reforms and Transformation). This pivotal role will drive the design and delivery of the Families First Partnership Programme (FFPP) and wider system reform, ensuring Medway’s services for children, young people and families are integrated, innovative, and future-ready.
You’ll lead a multi-agency transformation programme across Children’s Social Care, Education, SEND, and wider Council Services, aligning with national policy and local priorities—including preparation for potential Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
What you’ll do:
- Lead strategic transformation across People Services, with a focus on children’s wellbeing and safeguarding.
- Oversee the implementation of the Children Wellbeing and Schools Bill and Medway’s response to Families First statutory guidance.
- Coordinate multi-agency delivery plans and ensure alignment with emerging unitary authority models.
- Represent Medway at Regional and National forums, influencing policy and advocating for system reform.
- Promote digital innovation, data-led decision-making, and collaborative working across services.
What we’re looking for:
- A senior leader with extensive experience in public sector transformation, ideally within children’s services.
- Proven ability to lead complex programmes with multiple stakeholders and deliver measurable impact.
- Strong strategic thinking, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- A commitment to Medway’s values, safeguarding responsibilities, and corporate parenting duties.
Why Medway?
Medway is a place of ambition and opportunity. We’re committed to improving outcomes for children and families through innovation, partnership, and transformation. Join us and be part of shaping the future of public services in Medway—and potentially across a new North Kent footprint.
Our Organisation
Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, made up of the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham and more rural areas, including the Hoo Peninsula.
Situated in Kent in the South-East of England, the area has plenty of green spaces, excellent facilities and easy access to the national motorway and rail networks, facilitating superb transport links to London.
We provide all Local Government Services for a quarter of a million people, looking after education, environment, social care, housing, planning, business and much more - everything from frontline services such as rubbish collection and events like the Dickens Festival to work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure services in Medway run smoothly and cost effectively.
Working at Medway Council means that you get to be part of this journey working alongside talented, professional colleagues to drive forward change to transform the lives of our residents and the communities they live in.
Equal Opportunities Commitment Statement
Medway Council is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All appropriately qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age.
For further information, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.
Important Information
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile.
- This post is subject to an enhanced Children’s DBS check.
- For more information on our roles within Children’s Services please visit https://www.medway.gov.uk/childrenservicesjobs
Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.
Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.
Please note that all recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email, if you require documentation/correspondence in hard copy format, please contact the Children's Services Recruitment Team on 01634 332211 or email cscrecruitment@medway.gov.uk
We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.
