Job title: Director of Services
Employer: Leitrim County Council
Location: Leitrim
Closing Date: 3pm, Thursday, 30th January 2025
Salary: Starting at €109,745
About the Employer:
Local government in Ireland comprises 31 local authorities representing the closest and most accessible level of government to citizens in Ireland, responsible for the delivery of a wide range of services in their functional area including housing, planning, infrastructure, environmental protection, economic development, recreational amenities and community development.
County Leitrim, located in the North West of Ireland, has a growing population and economy, picturesque landscape, vibrant communities and a strong arts and cultural sector. Leitrim County Council leads and collaborates with all to drive and shape a better future for our County and it is a progressive, dynamic and innovative local authority in Ireland.
Leitrim County Council comprises 18 Elected Members (Councillors), employs a workforce of approximately 400 and has adopted a Revenue Budget for 2025 of €60.1m. In addition, the six-year Capital Investment Programme 2025 to 2030 inclusive projects a total capital expenditure of €530m. The Council delivers a comprehensive, diverse, and evolving range of services to citizens, businesses, and visitors. As a key public service the Council has responsibility to provide good quality accessible services in an efficient and effective manner and to exercise our civic leadership role to promote the economic, social and cultural development of the County in a balanced and sustainable manner. The Council operates in a dynamic and uncertain environment however which has altered dramatically in recent years and such changes present significant challenges and demand a flexible and responsive organisation to keep pace.
Leitrim County Council’s corporate vision is for an ambitious, thriving, sustainable and connected Leitrim with opportunity for everyone. Key to the achievement of our priorities and objectives is a skilled and committed workforce, supported by enabling technologies, efficient work processes and learning and development opportunities. Leitrim County Council offers excellent career opportunities in a wide range of administrative, professional, creative, technical, and general services roles. We are committed to the training, support and encouragement of our staff and we offer benefits across family friendly initiatives, personal development and wellbeing of staff.
About the Role:
Reporting to the Chief Executive, the Director of Service will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team and will be expected to fulfil a key role in the Local Authority with responsibility for the delivery of programmes and functions/services across all directorates of the Local Authority.
Each directorate contributes to delivery of the Council’s corporate vision and strategic direction, supporting the Chief Executive in advancing the physical, economic, social and cultural life of the County and in managing the organisational structures and resources needed to deliver an extensive range of public services in a cost effective and efficient manner, while also planning for the future needs of the County.
The role involves considerable engagement and consensus building with Elected Members, staff as well as other external stakeholders.
In addition, the Director provides policy support and advice for members of the Strategic Policy Committees, the Local Community Development Committee and any other relevant Committees.
About You:
The ideal candidate shall have the following Essential Skills and Experience:
1. A career record that demonstrates the necessary senior level leadership and management skills to manage, develop and motivate a large multidisciplinary team with a strong record of achievement of results;
2. Exceptionally strong relationship management, interpersonal and communication skills with the capacity to work in close consultation with Council members, colleagues and a wide range of stakeholders and committees to secure cooperation and consensus;
3. A developmental view of local government, which encourages involvement and optimises local democracy and the use of existing powers and functions;
4. Good analytical skills and a capacity to innovate in the interest of delivery of cost effective services, with an excellent customer focus;
5. Skills and capabilities in strategy and policy development;
6. The ability to lead, foster and effectively implement appropriate change;
7. An ability to work effectively under pressure and manage a number of programmes and projects at any one time;
8. An understanding of procurement, risk, information technology, financial management, governance and accountability;
9. The capacity to work in a complex and dynamic political environment;
10. High levels of honesty and integrity and a focus on operating in an impartial and transparent manner to deliver the best possible services to the citizen/customer;
11. A satisfactory understanding of the public service regulatory and legislative framework in Ireland, or an ability to quickly acquire such an understanding.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Thursday, 30th January, 2025.
We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.
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