Job Advert - Assistant Director Place
Salary: £75,069 - £86,754
Rochdale Council
‘About Rochdale’
Rochdale is a town steeped in history, known for its pioneering spirit and rich heritage. It played a crucial role in the birth of the Co-operative movement, and its industrial legacy is still evident today.
Rochdale Borough is at the centre of plans for the sustainable economic growth of Greater Manchester. We are a Borough of big ambitions and contrasts. Working with strategic partners, we are already delivering on our 2030 Growth Plan to create over one million square metres of employment space, 20,000 jobs, and 10,000 new homes connected by new and enhanced infrastructure and transport links, and to regenerate town centres as cultural hubs to benefit all our communities
This, coupled with the warmth and strong community spirit of the locals, makes Rochdale a welcoming and vibrant place to live and work.
‘About the Role’
As Assistant Director of Place, you will oversee key services that are integral to place making and the sustainable development of Rochdale Borough. These include Housing, Property, Environmental Management, Facilities Management, Technical Building Design, Highways and Capital Projects. Each of these areas are critical to maintaining and enhancing the borough's infrastructure, town centres and public spaces, and delivering essential services to residents and businesses.
Housing is a key priority for Rochdale, with challenges such as homelessness, temporary accommodation, and affordable housing shortages. You will lead on client relationship management with housing providers, manage the borough-wide housing strategy, and work on partnerships to accelerate the supply of land and delivery of new homes and address the current housing crisis.
You will provide strategic leadership, ensuring that these services meet the highest standards and contribute to the council's broader objectives. Your role will involve managing complex, diverse operations, including the management of public buildings and schools, promoting green technology, ensuring fire safety and health regulations, and driving sustainability initiatives such as net zero homes.
Additionally, you will play a pivotal role in major capital projects, such as the refurbishment of the iconic Rochdale Town Hall, aiming to establish it as a destination venue while ensuring it remains accessible to the local community.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead transformational change across the borough. You will work closely with the Leadership Team and elected members, contributing to the council’s strategic vision, and ensuring services are efficient, inclusive, and centred on the needs of Rochdale’s diverse population.
‘About You’
We are looking for a strategic leader with the passion and vision to drive transformative change across a broad range of services. You will be looking to take the next career step, demonstrably able to apply your knowledge and skills across a broader agenda. In doing so, you will forge lasting and successful relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders, and the ability to balance competing priorities. But most importantly, you will have the passion, vision and drive to realise our ambitions and deliver for the residents and businesses of our Borough.
You should be adept at partnership working, able to collaborate effectively with key stakeholders across Greater Manchester and ensure that Rochdale's priorities are well-positioned to secure funding and support for growth and development projects.
The ability to manage transformation is critical. You will be able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on leadership, embedding change across services in ways that enhance efficiency and improve outcomes for residents. Your leadership will inspire a culture of continuous improvement, where staff are empowered and motivated to deliver high-quality services.
This role requires strong communication and relationship-building skills. You will work closely with elected members, understand the complexities of local government, and ensure that council policies and priorities are implemented effectively.
If you are an ambitious and driven leader looking for a new challenge, this is a unique opportunity to make your mark on Rochdale’s future. With the borough’s ambitious growth plans and significant regeneration projects on the horizon, you will play a crucial role in shaping its success.
