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www.slough.gov.uk

Welcome letter from the leader

Councillor Sohail MunawarChief Executive (Ref: xx-xxxx)

Dear applicant,

I am delighted you are considering the role of chiefexecutive here at Slough Borough Council. This is vitalrole at the heart of the Slough community.

2017 is a really exciting time to be joining us. We aredelivering an ambitious programme of transformationto our services. We work closely with statutorypartners, service users, the community and thevoluntary sector to promote and create innovativeways of tacking local challenges, and ensure servicesdeliver improved outcomes.

We have in place a challenging and robust Five YearPlan and financial strategy, high aspirations and acommitment to further improving the stability andpotential of the council. We have tremendousopportunities to deliver economic growth and anumber of key regeneration projects will transformthe centre of Slough over the next few years and offerexciting employability prospects to our community.

We are looking for a chief executive who can lead thecouncil and who has the capacity to deliver within thechallenging financial context that local government isoperating in. Part of this will be encouraging theorganisation to explore commercial opportunities andpursue new revenue streams. Our chief executive willalso make an important role influencing thinkingacross Slough and fostering positive relationships withour partners and key organisations locally. We want tobe an enabling council, creating sustainablecommunities who are able to do things for themselvesand which is successful at leveraging otherorganisations and bodies to help deliver for ourresidents.

There is much to be proud of in Slough and I believethat by ensuring excellence in all we do, we can reallymake a big difference to peoples’ lives.

If you would like to discuss this position on an informalbasis please contact me on 01753 xxxxxx.

For further information about the council’s politicaland managerial objectives, including our Five YearPlan, please visit our website at www.slough.gov.uk/council/strategies-plans-and-policies/corporate-plans-and-strategies.aspx

I look forward to receiving an application from you.

Best wishes,

Councillor Sohail MunawarLeader, Slough Borough Council

www.slough.gov.uk

Job description

Job title: Chief executive

Responsible to: The council, through the leader of the council

Responsible for: • Strategic management

• Leadership including responsibilities as head of paid services

• Partnership and community development

• Resource management

• Working with members

• Equality and diversity

Main purpose of job: • To provide leadership in the strategic management of the council and tosupport members with the objective of achieving its vision, priorities,aims and ambition for Slough.

• To be the head of paid service and ensure that the council is organisedefficiently and effectively to deliver excellent customer focused services.

• To enhance the reputation of the council with residents, businesses andother stakeholders.

www.slough.gov.uk

Main responsibilities:

Strategic management

1. To ensure that the council’s vision, priorities andaims are made a reality by providing a clearsense of direction, optimism and purpose andby marshalling the resources of the wholeorganisation to achieve these ends.

2. To be the council’s principal adviser oncorporate strategy by setting a clear frameworkfor the development and achievement ofcorporate policies and objectives and throughworking effectively with members through thecouncil’s democratic structure.

Leadership

3. To be the head of paid service and to lead thecorporate management team so that positivecontributions are made by directors in thedevelopment and implementation of policiesthat will optimise service delivery to the peopleof Slough.

4. To inspire, empower and develop the council’sworkforce to secure a real senses of ownershipof its vision and priorities, seek continuousimprovement, encourage cross-council workingand move decision making and responsibilitiesas close as possible to the point of servicedelivery.

5. To develop and maintain a flexible and focusedorganisation which is able to embrace, absorband respond positively to changingrequirements and priorities.

Partnership and community development

6. To lead the council’s commitment to workingwith a range of stakeholders with the aim ofmaximising positive and sustainableinvestment through the Slough Urban RenewalProject and other initiatives.

7. To develop and maintain effective systems ofconsultation, community involvement andpartnership working to achieve the council’scommunity strategy.

8. To promote the interests and image of thecouncil and enhance its influence inconstructive relationships with key stakeholdersin the community, in government and otherpublic bodies, the voluntary sector and in thebusiness community.

Resource management

9. To ensure that effective organisationalstructures and performance managementsystems are in place to plan, delivery andmonitor strategic and service objectives.

10. To plan and keep under review the council’sbudget strategy and other significant financialfunding arrangements in line with the prioritiesagreed by the council; to ensure that budgetsare monitored and controlled and that there isclear accountability.

Working with members

11. To have overall responsibility for themanagement of relationships between electedmember, political groups and officers byestablishing a clear understand of roles and bydeveloping and maintain clearly understoodprocedures for converting policies into actionwithin the constraints of propriety and legality.

12. To provide the leadership, communication andaction that will exemplify the council’s valuesand commitment to value diversity, ensureequality of opportunity and strengthencohesion in the community.

www.slough.gov.uk

Competency Attributes - Customer Focus, Development,Relationships, Personal Effectiveness, Expertise,Communication Skills, Health and Safety andEqualities

Essential/Desirable

Method: Application (A)Interview (I)Test (T)

Experience Significant experience as a senior director or as a chiefexecutive in local government or similar public sectororganisation with a track record of success as a seniormanager.

Successful corporate leadership with significant trackrecord in strategic planning and performancemanagement leading improved outcomes for localpeople.

Successful working with elected members orstakeholder and in building relationships of trust.

A track record of achievement in partnership workingwith a wide range of stakeholders.

Establishing effective relationships with multiculturalcommunities and in dealing confidently with diversityissues.

Successfully leading organisational change to achievemajor improvements.

Success in financial, people and resource managementof a significant scale and complexity.

Essential

Essential

Essential

Essential

Essential

Essential

Essential

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A/I

A/I

A/I

A/I

A/I

A/I

A/I

A clear understanding of the major challenges in localgovernment and of the current social policy issues to befaced in a multicultural urban environment.

Strategic planning and performance managementsystems including external inspections.

Legislative and financial frameworks within which localauthorities operate.

High level of understanding and commitment todiversity issues.

Essential

Essential

Essential

Essential

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I/T

I/T

I

I/T

Person specification

Chief executive

www.slough.gov.uk

Knowledge Has highlight developed leadership skills to inspirecommitment from team’s individuals throughout thecouncil.

Has high personal credibility and political sensitivity towork with elected members and a wide range of keystakeholders.

Demonstrates a well developed strategic perspectivethat can be applied to achieve results in a broad rangeof corporate, community and services issues.

Has the ability to plan, organise and review corporatesystems and structures to deliver results and achievecontinuous improvement.

Can lead major changes in an inspirational way.

Communicates clearly and effectively to a range ofaudiences and is confident in dealing with the media.

High interpersonal, influencing and persuasive skillsand is a good negotiator.

Can build effective partnerships with a wide range ofstakeholders.

Shows sound judgement, balanced decision makingand had good analytical skills.

Committed, robust, resilient and has the drive andenergy to achieve results within a challenging andcomplex environment.

Essential

Essential

Essential

Essential

Essential

Essential

Essential

Essential

Essential

Essential

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I/T

I/T

I/T

I/T

I/T

I/T

I/T

I/T

I/T

I/T

Keycompetencies

Degree or equivalent qualification.

An appropriate professional qualification.

Management qualification.

Evidence of continuing professional development.

Essential

Desirable

Essential

Essential

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A

A

A

www.slough.gov.uk

Main conditions of service and benefits

Chief executive

This post is subject to the Joint NegotiatingCommittee (JNC) for Chief Officers of LocalAuthorities terms and conditions as supplementedby Slough Borough Council local agreements.

Salary

Salary range is £132,544 - £159,054 per annum

Salaries are paid on or about the last working day ofthe month.

Annual increments are paid on 1 April each yearsubject to 6 months service and satisfactoryperformance.

Working hours

Hours of work are 37 hours per week at Slough.Slough encourages part time working/job share.

Flexible working

We support a range of flexible workingarrangements to promote a work-life balance forour staff.

These are dependant on the operational needs ofeach service.

Pensions

As a local government employee you will haveaccess to a high-quality pension scheme known asthe Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

The LGPS is a national scheme which is administeredby geographical region.

Slough is a part of the Berkshire pension fund -administered by the Royal Borough of Windsor andMaidenhead on behalf of all the employers.

Unless you wish to opt out, you will become amember of the LGPS on starting a job at SloughBorough Council.

More details are available in the Guide to newEmployees to the pension fund website:www.rbwm.gov.uk/berks-pension/index.htm

Annual leave

Our annual leave is generous and the longer youwork for us and local government, the more you get.You are entitled to 30 days per annum per completeholiday year. The annual leave provision is increasedto 32 days inclusive after 5 years’ service.

The annual leave year runs from 1 April to 31 March.

The yearly entitlement is based on full time staff; forpart-time employees the entitlement is pro-rata.

You are also entitled to eight public and bankholidays - which is pro-rata for part time staff.

Mileage and subscriptions

Mileage

We reimburse all business mileage. Currently we pay45p a mile for the first 10,000 business miles in a taxyear and 25p per mile for each business mile over10,000 in the tax year.

Business mileage taken on a motorcycle or bicycle isalso reimbursed at 24p per mile for motorcycles and20p per mile for a bicycle.

All mileage claims for cars and motorcycles are onlyvalid when supported by VAT receipts.

www.slough.gov.uk

Once a member of staff has hit 1,000 business milesor more in any one tax year they are paid a lumpsum of £1,000.

Vehicles used for business need to be suitably insured.

Subscriptions

We will pay you for the cost of one professionalsubscription per annum which is relevant andnecessary for the role.

Travelling

Car parking

Unlike many places, we have free car parking forstaff just across the road from our main site called StMartins Place where 800 of our staff are based. Weoffer travel warrants to staff that need to travel onbusiness via public transport.

Bike loans and pool bikes

But if you’d rather use two wheels - we offer a bikeloan scheme for our staff, free secure bike parkingand have shower facilities on site.

There are also pool bikes available to get you from ato b in the town during the day.

Season ticket loans

We offer all our staff an interest-free loan to buy anannual railway, London Underground or bus seasonticket to cover travelling from home to work.

The scheme is available to all staff on a permanentcontract and on those on a fixed term contractwhere there is at least 12 months left to go.

Our location

Slough is one of the easiest places to get to in thecountry.

Two motorways, a mainline railway station and buslinks across the area and we are also one of the leasthilly places, making cycling a breeze.

And if you would rather take to the skies - Heathrowis a mere five miles away.

Slough is also only nine miles end-to-end and fivemiles top-to-bottom so many areas are also in easywalking distance.

Nearby

Thirty minutes to the West End and 10 minutes toBurnham Beeches; Slough and its surrounds haveeverything you could ever want. In the borough are254 hectares of parks and open spaces - three ofwhich have green flag status - including 76playgrounds; with everything from historic Victorianpleasure grounds to football pitches and wildflowermeadows. Not bad for one of the most urban areasin the country. There are shops galore in the HighStreet and retail parks, a cinema and the largestvariety of food outlets outside London.

Events taking place this year include the bonfire andfireworks spectacular, annual canal festival, theMela, Night of the Festivals and continental marketsin the town centre.

And just down the road is the spectacular andhistoric Windsor Castle, host to many royal activitiesand the Windsor Great Park where you can truly getlost in the country.

With London a short train journey away the world ofthe capital is on our doorstep.

Money off deals

To help with that work-life balance, several local andnational businesses offer great money off deals forour staff.

O2

Our corporate network provider, O2 offers staff andtheir friends and families special discount on paymonthly phone plans, home broadband and otherproducts.

www.slough.gov.uk

Kaarp benefits

From days out and holidays to gifts and flowers,Kaarp benefits offers our staff special deals on awhole range of activities.

Getting physical

With one of the town’s leisure centres just across theroad from our main site and 20 percent offmembership there is no excuse not to go to the gymor have a swim.

And you don’t have to pay a joining fee meaningpeak time membership is just £31.20 per month andfamily membership (two adults and up to threechildren) is just £61 per month.

But if you would rather take to the ice, our Ice arena(also just across the road from our main site) offers£3 off a general skate session during the week.

Discounted driving lessons

I-drive offer Slough staff discounted driving lessons.

Hotels

Want to stay in style on your holiday? Hilton hotelsoffer up to 40 percent off to our employees.

Food and drink

There are restaurants galore in Slough with someoffering up to 20 percent off the price of food for ouremployees. Treat yourself to a pizza at Pizza Expresswith 20 percent off, a curry at Haveli or the Prince ofIndia with 15 percent off or a range of Asian food atAs Asia with 15 percent off.

Costco

Our employees can take out membership at Costco -the wholesale shop that gives access to top qualityproducts and low prices.

Individual cost of a membership is just £25 a year,plus VAT, and includes a free spouse card.

Theatre tickets

If the theatre is your thing, then the West EndTheatre Club offers our staff discounted tickets attop West End shows.

Childcare vouchers

As any working parent knows, arranging childcarecan be a real headache and very expensive, butthere are lots of options available to staff.

One option is the childcare voucher scheme.

Many people have asked whether they can still applyfor childcare vouchers if they get child tax credit andworking tax credit. The only people that aren’teligible for the childcare voucher scheme are thosethat receive the childcare element of the working taxcredit.

Further information about childcare vouchers isavailable through an organisation calledComputershare. You have to register with themonline. To find out more, visit the ComputerSharewebsite.http://www.computersharevoucherservices.com/Pages/default.aspx

If you are looking for childcare, Slough’s children’scentres provide a range of childcare services andstaff may use the childcare vouchers at the centres.There are 10 children’s centres, each offeringvarious options for childcare for children aged 6months to 8 years, including full day care, crèches,before and after school clubs and holiday care.

The children’s centres also offer a wide range ofother services for families with young children,including health visitor drop-ins, speech andlanguage drop-ins, family and adult learningprogrammes, access to the Citizen’s Advice Bureau,and much more. If you want to find out what’s on atyour local children’s centre, you should ring 01753476566 or email Childrens.Centrex@xxxxxx.xxv.uk.

www.slough.gov.uk

For more information about other childcareproviders and services in Slough, you can call theFamily Information Service on 01753 476589 or visitthe Slough Services Guide website.

HSF

You are eligible to join the HSF which is a health planthat provides staff with a highly valuable benefit.The HSF health plan can cover both you and yourfamily for over 30 benefits with contributionsstarting at just £1 a week (made by Payrolldeduction). It is like an added peace of mind for youand your family’s health in these ever changingtimes.

Dental check-ups and treatment, sight tests, glasses,contact lenses, the cost of your family’s day to dayhealth care can add up to a large annual bill. GettingCash Back with HSF health plan will be a greatbenefit to your household budget as well as yourfamily’s health.

Political restrictions

This post is politically restricted under the LocalGovernment and Housing Act 1989.

This means that you can be a member of a politicalparty but cannot hold office for that party or standfor election as a councillor or MP.

Period of notice

12 weeks.

Emergency planning

Due to the seniority of this post you will be requiredto assist in providing an effective response on thepart of the authority to any major civil emergenciesthat may arise. This involves a range of coordinative,liaison and communication tasks working bothwithin the council’s offices and at other locationsand can involve stand by or call out on a roster basis.Training will be provided to enable this duty to befulfilled. You will be paid the appropriate standbyrate for undertaking this duty.

Smoking policy

The council has a no smoking policy. Smoking is notpermitted within the core hours of 10:00-12:00 and14:00-16:00.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

This post will require the post holder to undertake aDBS check.

www.slough.gov.uk

How to apply

Application

Closing date: Shortlisting date: Interview date: w/c

To apply for this post you must complete a SloughBorough Council application form. You may submit aCV in addition to your application form. Please notethat a CV alone will not be accepted as they do notmeet our assessment criteria and commitment toequal opportunities.

Completing application forms

Particular attention should be given to theSupporting Information section within theapplication form. Shortlisting is based on thecandidate’s ability to meet the selection criteriawithin the person specification. Therefore, it isessential that you outline clear examples andevidence of how you meet the requirements of theperson specification. Examples and evidence shouldalso relate back to the duties/accountabilitiescontained in the job description.

It is important that you complete ALL sections of theapplication form; you can attach additionalinformation if you wish.

Recruitment monitoring form

Please complete our Recruitment Monitoring Formas this provides us with important information tomonitor the process of the appointment ofindividuals under current legislation and our equalopportunities policy. This form will be separatedfrom your application form and will not be used forshortlisting or selection purposes.

Reply details

Your application form must reach us by closing date.Applications received after this date will not beconsidered. Application forms should be returnedby:

a) Email: recrxxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxv.uk

b) Online: by using the form at slough.gov.uk/jobs

c) Post: Recruitment Team, Human Resources,Slough Borough Council, Arvato public sectorservices, Phoenix 1, 59-63 Farnham Road, SloughSL1 3TN.

Next steps

If you are selected for interview we will contact youby telephone and confirm the details in writing.

If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of theclosing date, please assume that, on this occasion,your application has been unsuccessful.

www.slough.gov.uk

The advertisement

Chief executiveSalary: £132,544-£159,054Ref: xx-xxx Slough is the town with the population, economy and challenges of a London borough,the economic powerhouse of the south east and a town where the pace of change isrelentless.

And that change is happening here at the council as well as in the town. With a newleader in place we now have an exciting opportunity for the role of chief executive. Thisrole comes at a pivotal moment for us in our development. We are delivering anambitious programme of transformation to our services and have in place a challengingand robust five year plan and financial strategy.

We are committed to further improving the stability and potential of the council and arelooking for a chief executive who can deliver inspirational leadership to ensure we meetour ambitions in the challenging financial context that local government operates in.

In addition to a significant track record of achievement in local government, we willexpect our new chief executive to continue to raise the profile of the council and to workclosely with the Leader for our communities and businesses. The successful candidatewill need proven leadership skills and experience in strategic planning andperformance management leading to improved outcomes for local people. In addition,the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with business, government, ourpartners and other public service providers is essential.

For an informal discussion about the post please contact Councillor Sohail Munawar,Leader of Slough Borough Council, on 01753 xxxxxx.

Closing date is Thursday x February 2017 at 5pm

Interviews will take place w/c xx February 2017.

Apply for this job online at www.slough.gov.uk/jobs. Alternatively emailrecrxxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxv.uk or call our 24 hour message line on 01753 875074 for apack, outlining the reference number above.

www.slough.gov.uk.

We value diversity.

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Chief exectuive