This is a senior, high‑profile leadership role at the heart of the council's ambition for a fairer, healthier Southampton. You will have responsibility for the strategic and operational leadership of adult social care, ensuring services are safe, responsive, strengths‑based and firmly centred on people and communities. You will lead during a crucial period for adult social care locally and nationally, navigating policy reform, financial pressures, demand growth and system transformation, while maintaining a relentless focus on quality, safeguarding and workforce wellbeing.
What you will be responsible for
* Providing strategic and operational leadership across Adult Social Care, ensuring delivery of statutory duties and excellent outcomes for residents and carers.
* Driving a clear and credible improvement, transformation and prevention agenda, aligned to the council’s objectives.
* Embedding strengths‑based, person‑centred practice with strong line of sight to frontline delivery.
* Leading confidently in the CQC and regulatory environment, building assurance, learning and continuous improvement.
* Taking full accountability for financial sustainability, budget management and whole council contributions.
* Acting as a visible leader for staff, modelling compassionate, inclusive and consistent leadership.
* Building strong, effective partnerships across the Integrated Care System and wider place.
* Working constructively and transparently with elected Members, Cabinet, boards and scrutiny.
* Supporting and leading significant change, including preparation for future system and organisational developments.
We are looking for a professional, qualified, values‑driven adult social care leader who...
* Has substantial senior leadership experience across Adult Social Care, with accountability for quality, safeguarding, performance and improvement at scale.
* Brings deep practice credibility, with a strong understanding of statutory responsibilities, strengths‑based approaches and professional standards.
* Has exceptional knowledge and insight into commissioning.
* Shows a track record of leading through change, bringing people along, maintaining service quality, morale and delivering improvements at pace.
* Exhibits the confidence and authority to operate in complex political, regulatory and partnership environments, including effective engagement with elected Members.
* Has strong system leadership capabilities, influencing across health, voluntary, community and place‑based partnerships.
* Displays a leadership style that is calm, ethical, authentic and inclusive, setting clear expectations while empowering, developing and supporting others.
* Can lead improvement, manage risk and make difficult decisions in the best interests of adults, carers and the wider system.
Benefits
* Up to £118,813 per annum starting salary, excluding any pay award for the year.
* Excellent local government pension with 15.2% employer contribution.
* Death in service benefit of three times salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC.
* Generous holiday 25‑31 days, based on role and service.
* Flexible working options (role‑dependent).
* Family‑friendly policies – maternity, paternity, adoption, shared/unpaid parental leave, time off for dependents.
* Training and development, including coaching and mentoring.
* Health and wellbeing support – employee assistance programme, menopause pledge, mental health first aiders and access to a variety of staff networks.
* Veteran‑friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant.
* Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform.
* Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres.
* Sustainable travel benefits – low‑emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans.
* Employee volunteering scheme with two paid days leave to volunteer.
Legal Statement
Southampton City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, pregnancy, marital status, disability, medical disability, alarm status, between 49 and 65 years old, disability or otherwise protected class.
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