Welcome to Knowsley Council

Dear Candidate

I am delighted that you are interested in the position of Executive Director (Resources) at Knowsley Council.

This is a particularly exciting time to join our Council.  We were recently named as the United Kingdom’s “Local Authority of the Year” at the Municipal Journal Awards – that accolade was not only a testament to our hard working and committed workforce but also serves as evidence that our new Executive Director (Resources) will be able to build on a strong platform.

We have a clear and ambitious vision to support those in need, develop inclusive skills and growth, and tackle the climate emergency.  This work is underpinned by our well-established Knowsley Better Together principles which unify our Borough’s communities, organisations and businesses to work together to pool ideas, expertise and resources and achieve more than we each could alone.

We have delivered and are continuing to bring forward ambitious growth plans for our Borough, having already constructed the award-winning Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot and delivered a 94,000 feet² Council-owned retail development in Kirkby.  We delivered both of those projects on time and to programme during a time of a global pandemic and while dealing with unprecedented impacts on our services and communities.  Work on improvements in Halewood as part of a £30m masterplan are now also progressing.

We have exceeded our house building targets and delivered over 4,000 new homes in the last five years.  Following decades of decline, our population has increased by 10% in the last ten years.

Significant as they are, these achievements are just a start – we stand ready to deliver plans for a mixed used commercial district and new homes in Huyton Village Centre, we have recently purchased Prescot Shopping Centre, and Kirkby has secured £19.5m of Government funding to be used to address local priorities over the next ten years.

We are also progressing transformational plans in both Adult and Children’s Social Care.  We aim to ensure that our young residents get the best start in life and go on to achieve and succeed but also want to make sure that the best possible services are available for those who need additional support.

The Executive Director (Resources) role is critical in ensuring Knowsley’s continued success.  Alongside your professional background, we are looking for an Executive Director (Resources) who will provide clear, compelling and inspiring leadership across the Council contributing to the delivery of the Knowsley Council Plan and strategic Priorities with the ability to forge strong relationships with Elected Members, partner agencies, and Stakeholders.

In addition, as S151 Officer your role will be pivotal as the lead advisor to the Chief Executive and all Elected Members on all matters within their portfolio, providing robust financial management and advice on all financial matters.

You will need to understand Knowsley as a place which stands up to challenges in terms of deprivation and health inequalities, but which is also hugely ambitious.  We need someone that can make difficult decisions during challenging times; someone who can bring fresh ideas.  There are considerable opportunities in Knowsley for regeneration, inclusive growth, and helping our residents to thrive, so if you share that ambition, please contact Gatenby Sanderson in the first instance.

I look forward to hearing more about you.

Yours Sincerely

Councillor Graham Morgan, Leader of the Council

Dear Candidate 

Your Opportunity to Help Us to Make a Difference 

Thank you for your enquiry about the role of Executive Director (Resources) at Knowsley Council. 

Knowsley was recently identified as the Municipal Journal 2024 Council of the Year in recognition of our bold and ambitious work that we do to improve the lives of local people, and for recognising the hard work and dedication of our staff. The Council’s strong financial management and long-term planning were noted as a key factor in receiving this accolade. 

This position offers you the chance to be part of a dynamic and passionate Executive Management Team who are determined to continue to make a difference. We have ambitious growth plans to achieve, and we are looking for an exceptional person to help us to deliver these. 

Our communities continue to face challenges which place increasing demands on our services, but this Council has a proven track record of meeting these challenges. 

As Executive Director (Resources) – and the Council S151 Statutory Officer – you will be a key professional adviser to myself as Chief Executive, Cabinet, Council, and the Executive Management Team to achieve the aims and desired outcomes set out in the Knowsley Council Plan. 

It has never been a better time to join Knowsley so if you have a track record of delivery and want to work in a dynamic and driven environment which provides significant opportunities for you to shape a place for future generations, then we would like to hear from you. 

You will need to display outstanding leadership, a clear partnership ethos and be able to demonstrate a history of improving, developing, and delivering services which truly make a difference to people’s lives. You will also need to be able to strategically manage the Council’s finances to ensure that we can continue to maintain and improve key services to ensure Knowsley residents and businesses thrive. 

You will be joining a very experienced and committed team who will support you every step of the way. 

The closing date for applications is 10 January 2025. 

Longlisting will take place week commencing 13 January 2025. 

Panel Interviews (in-person) will take place on 22 January 2025. 

Employment and Appointments Committee Interviews (in-person) will take place on 23 January 2025. 

I look forward to hearing from you  

James Duncan, Current Executive Director (Resources) and Incoming Chief Executive – Effective from 1 February 2025