Looking to lead a Council where you can make a real impact?
It’s an exciting time to join South Tyneside MBC as Chief Executive. The Council has undergone substantial change over the last year, with new political leadership and a significant shift in how the Council operates. Councillor Tracey Dixon became Leader of the Council in November 2020 and she is looking for a dynamic and experienced senior leader to join her in leading the Council through its next phase of delivery for its 155,000 residents.
This is an opportune time for an ambitious and visionary leader to join South Tyneside and really make their mark. The Council has just passed the half-way milestone of its ambitious 20-year Futures programme. A decade in, the Council is efficient and lean, having delivered significant change, with high performing services across key service areas. The Council, in partnership with Sunderland City Council, is delivering the nationally significant ‘International Advanced Manufacturing Park’, and has been recognised for its innovative approach to integrated working across health and social care, leading-edge green energy projects and Ofsted rated ‘good’ Children’s Services.
2020 has brought unprecedented challenge and the local government operating environment has changed significantly. The incoming Chief Executive will work in partnership with the newly appointed Leader, all Elected Members and the senior officer team, to further plan and articulate what the next ten years will look like, post Covid-19 and EU Exit.
Councillor Tracey Dixon said: ‘Since the Covid-19 pandemic we have adapted to new ways of working and we’ve had to re-prioritise. We are looking for a Chief Executive with long-term vision but equally someone who can move at pace, and get things done under challenging conditions. We want someone with a collaborative style, who is able to bring all stakeholders together under one united vision for South Tyneside’.
The Council is financially stable, having undergone significant modernisation over the last decade. Established and robust financial management arrangements will enable the incoming Chief Executive to focus on the Council’s corporate and external affairs priorities – including the Council’s vision, governance, relationships and capacity to deliver.
Events of 2020 have made us adapt to new ways of working and we must continue to innovate and re-think local services. In South Tyneside, health and social inequalities among our residents continues to be a real challenge. We must prioritise work which makes our communities and businesses more resilient, both individually and collectively. Our Economic Recovery Plan sets out the short and long-term actions we must take to safeguard our local economy from further economic shocks. The new Chief Executive will help us respond to the challenges of Covid-19 and ensure successful economic, social and environmental recovery.
The digital and climate change agendas are also pressing. The Council’s bold ambitions to regenerate South Tyneside have not been lessened by the pandemic; we are working to re-frame our thinking and adapt to the changing circumstances. The Health and Social Care integration agenda is picking up pace nationally and must be applied locally in a way that works for the residents of South Tyneside.
The Chief Executive of South Tyneside MBC will be responsible for delivering these priorities and leading an experienced and capable team of senior officers, who are adept at working corporately across the Council’s key service areas. To succeed in role, he/she will need to further empower and develop the team; motivating and providing clear leadership at a very challenging time.
South Tyneside certainly punches above its weight when it comes to ambition. The size and geography of the Council will enable the new Chief Executive to make immediate and significant impact, and he/ she will lead a Council which is driving forward a range of exciting regeneration and infrastructure projects. The Council also has regional leadership responsibilities with regards the North East Combined Authority and the regional Economic Development and Digital agenda, Newcastle International Airport and the Tyne and Wear Pension Fund. The new Chief Executive will be pivotal in ensuring South Tyneside’s interests are well represented on a regional and national stage.
As a place, South Tyneside has a lot to offer. With award winning beaches and outdoor spaces, world-class schools, high quality affordable housing and modern public facilities, South Tyneside is a great place to live, particularly for families. South Tyneside is also near to Newcastle International Airport, home to the Port of Tyne and, with good road networks, it is also a great place to do business. There is a rich heritage in South Tyneside and a deep sense of passion and pride for the local area among residents. The new Chief Executive will ensure the Council builds further upon these strengths to continue making South Tyneside an outstanding place to live, work and bring up families.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Tracey Dixon said: ‘We want to hear from candidates who have great interpersonal skills, an inclusive and confident leadership style and a positive, can-do mindset. I’m looking forward to meeting candidates who are passionate about public service and are excited by the prospect of working with us in South Tyneside to make a real difference for our residents’.