Job Introduction

Are you passionate about improving the lives of children and their families?

We're looking for an outstanding leader to join Lincolnshire County Council's Children's Services team - officially rated one of the best in the country. You'll be part of a senior leadership team that is proud of its innovative approach to service delivery, supported by dedicated staff and partners who put children and their families first in everything they do.

As Assistant Director for Children's Health and Commissioning, you'll take a lead role in delivering and commissioning integrated services across social care, education and health. You will lead our Children's Health Service, ensuring it is clinically safe and effective, in close partnership with the NHS. You'll lead our Early Years portfolio, including delivery of the Early Childhood Strategy and improvement support for providers, with oversight of our 47 Children's Centres. You'll lead the full strategic commissioning cycle to secure value for money and the best outcomes for children and families.

We're committed to working in partnership with families, supporting them to help their children thrive in all areas of their lives, as exemplified by our in-house public health nursing services. You'll be responsible for ensuring this service is delivered to the highest clinical standards and fully joined-up with both local authority and NHS services.

Not only do we provide outstanding services - we commission them too. The child and mental health services we commission through a formal partnership with the NHS have been rated as outstanding in the last two CQC inspections. Your leadership will ensure that we continue to deliver excellence for our families, in a cost-effective and integrated way that meets both our needs and our policy and quality requirements.

Who are we looking for?

We're looking for someone whose leadership can provide a culture and environment in which our excellent teams can flourish. Your ability to lead in partnership with others will be vital to ensuring the continuation of our highly-effective relationships with key agencies and furthering our ambitions for system-wide transformation.

Ask yourself:

• Are you capable of shaping and delivering plans and strategies with an analytical, collaborative and pioneering approach?
• Do you have the aptitude to be the person we need and have a track record of considerable success, with the evidence and experience to match?
• Do you have knowledge and an expertise that inspires credibility within colleagues in local authorities, health and education, both within and outside Lincolnshire to effectively manage a high-profile personal portfolio?
• Have you got energy and drive combined with political astuteness?

About Our Offer

Along with a competitive salary of between £105,651 - £121,526 (dependent on competency, knowledge and skills) we are offering;

• A Contributory pension
• Comprehensive benefits package including excellent discount schemes and cycle to work
• Flexible working patterns split between home and office
• Professional support and development
• An annual leave entitlement of up to 31 days plus the option to buy more

Further details can be found in our rewards and benefits brochure

If you think you're the right person for the role, then we would love to receive your CV.

Please submit a covering letter outlining what you can bring to this role and a CV using the Apply now button.

For a confidential and informal discussion about the role, please contact helen.warburton@lincolnshire.gov.uk who will schedule a telephone call with the Executive Director of Children's services for you.

Closing date for applications is 1 March 2026

Interviews will take place 16 March 2026

Please refer to our Job Information Pack here to support you in your application.

A relocation package may be considered for the successful candidate. More details relating to our Relocation Policy can be found here.

Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward.

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

A Smarter Working Employer

We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary. Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.

Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.

Fluency Duty

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Our values - collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible - guide everything we do. We're looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.