Strategic Director of Community Services

Contract type: Permanent

Department: Community Services

Salary Grade 20 £120,536 to £129,500 per annum

Location: County Hall, Newport, Isle of Wight

You are invited to join Isle of Wight Council, a local authority focused on creating thriving communities, protecting our environment, and driving sustainable growth.

This role is key to the council's leadership team and will lead a diverse portfolio of regeneration, economic development, environment, planning, highways, waste, commercial services, cultural heritage, leisure, coastal and public realm.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the diverse portfolio of community services.
• Drive transformation and deliver customer centric services that make a real difference to residents.
• Act as ambassador for the Isle of Wight, representing the council at regional and national forums and building strategic partnerships.
• Shape the council's vision, translating political priorities into actionable strategies that deliver best value and measurable outcomes.

This position will drive regeneration, transformation and economic growth, shape sustainable planning and environmental strategies, modernise services and oversee vital work that touches every part of island life, making a lasting impact for generations to come.

To succeed you will need exceptional leadership, superb communication skills, and the ability to engage, inspire and influence across the workforce, public, media and partnership organisations.

Application guidance:

• Closing date: Sunday 11 January 2026
• Stage one: CV and covering statement (up to 4 A4 pages).
• Stage two: Completed application pack (Equality & Diversity, Criminal Convictions Declaration, Disability Declaration) and 2 references.
• Submit all through one email to .

For informal discussion or queries, email . Interviews are planned 29 January 2026 with successful candidate starting by May 2026.

Benefits:

• Annual leave entitlement of 32 days plus public holidays.
• Local Government pension scheme.
• Discounted Solent ferry travel.
• Island bus network discount.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Staff parking permit scheme.
• Discounted island sports & leisure gym membership.
• National and local discounts & benefits schemes.
• Relocation scheme up to £8,000 (subject to criteria).
• Travel allowance available if commuting from the mainland (subject to criteria).

We actively promote workforce diversity and provide flexible working options. The Isle of Wight Council is an equal opportunity employer, encouraging applications from all cultures, backgrounds and abilities. We are a disability confident employer, offering interview opportunities to disabled applicants. The council protects its employees from discrimination. The council reserves the right to close vacancies earlier than stated.

Only applications submitted online by the closing date will be accepted.