Dear Applicant

Thank you for your interest in the LGA.

We are in unprecedented political and economic times. The challenges facing the economy and the impact on local councils are plain for all to see. We believe that now more than ever councils have a uniquely important role to play in re-invigorating local economies, improving public services and protecting the most vulnerable members of our society.  

Our role is to offer national leadership and support to all councils who are working to achieve these objectives every day. Although local government is already the most efficient part of the public sector, it is more important than ever for councils to maximise their efficiency and productivity and to prioritise resources to meet their local needs.

Within this context, we are looking for an Executive Director with exceptional talent to lead our offer to the local government sector for self improvement, leadership, workforce policy, pay and productivity.  Reporting directly to me, and a member of the LGA senior management team, you will work with leading politicians across local and central government to represent and advocate for local government to secure the best outcomes for people in their localities. Following a major restructure in 2011, you will also provide inspiring leadership to your teams to develop and embed new ways of working for the benefit of the sector. 

We are also seeking a Director for Children's Services Self Improvement on a fixed term basis to work nationally across the sector on a new system of self-improvement. This marks an exciting and decisive shift in responsibilities for ensuring the high performance of local authority children's services - away from central government and towards councils themselves, individually and collectively.

These roles are critical to the success of the LGA and I welcome applications from those who believe they can make a real difference. 

I look forward to receiving your application.

Carolyn Downs 
LGA Chief Executive