Service Director - Education and Skills (CDC)

October 27, 2025

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Based at: Civic Office/Hybrid Working

Salary details: Chief Officer 108,164 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week

Flexible working arrangements: Fixed shift pattern, flexible working requests considered.

Closing date: 6th November 2025

City of Doncaster Council is seeking to appoint a Service Director for Education & Skills in our Children, Young People and Families Service and a key member of the Councils extended Leadership Team.

City of Doncaster Council is an ambitious Mayoral authority with a clear purpose to ensure Doncaster and its people thrive and that value for money is at the heart of everything the Council does. Rewarding and encouraging initiative, innovation and strong effective leadership are seen as key components to drive continuous improvement.

This post will convene and inspire the citys education system, working with schools, colleges, partners and the wider community. They will promote inclusive education, ensure high standards, and lead on delivering the councils education and skills strategy. They will be instrumental in supporting systems change for school improvement and be at the fore front in designing an education system that works for all.

By providing the strategic oversight for all age learning and skills will ensure that citizens have access to the right support at the right time either into education, training or employment. This role is in a unique position to ensure that there are opportunities for all.

Great things happen when people come together with a shared ambition to improve peoples lives. In Doncaster we see this happen all the time and in recent years we have gone from strength to strength. Doncaster is proud of its vibrant communities and ambitious vision for education. Recent outcomes data highlights both our progress and the challenges ahead, particularly in ensuring that we have an inclusive education system for all. 92% of our schools are rated good or better.

We have a growing, 5 billion economy, record levels of residents in employment (over 140,000) and many new jobs in the pipeline. We are making progress in achieving inclusive growth - which means local people are able to benefit from the new quality job opportunities being created. Our 10 year education and skills strategy are closely aligned to the Economic Growth strategy, ensuring that we create career pathways for all ages linked to the local economy. Our purpose as a council is to ensure that all people in Doncaster thrive. That means we have a laser focus on inclusive education for all.

This post provides strategic oversight for skills and employment and therefore responsible for implementing the ambitious Pathways to Work program which ensures a cohesive approach to supporting people at all stages of their journey to employment.

Strategic partnerships locally and internationally are important. We have a strong track record of finding educational approaches that works for all learners. We have a track record of innovating and raising standards in the specialist and AP sector and have partnered with Pittsburgh to engage children, young people and their families in world of learning and work through the Remake Learning project.

In recent years we have partnered with multi-academy trusts to open a UTC (awaiting the second UTC announcement) and to expand specialist provision. We are in the process of developing with partners a university offer closely linked to the job opportunities that the reopening of the Airport will bring.

We are developing community assets, playing to peoples strengths and putting resources nearer to communities to ensure individuals get the right support, in the right place at the right time. By tackling issues early on we can often delay or prevent bigger problems occurring in the future.

We are seeking a senior leader with:

Proven experience in education leadership, school improvement, or system-wide change.
A track record of partnership working and delivering impact through collaboration.
Deep understanding of inclusive education and the barriers faced by learners.
Passion for innovation and a commitment to the principles of remake learning.
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to use data to drive improvement.
Values that reflect ambition, inclusivity, and service to the community.
A deep understanding of the area of work and skills, using the Pathways to Work program to enhance our offer to local people to access employment.

In return for your hard work and dedication, we can offer you the chance to be part of a great team dedicated to ensuring that all people in Doncaster thrive. You will also have access to a variety of attractive employee benefits including competitive leave entitlement, a generous local government pension scheme, a wide range of well-being support and development opportunities. You will also have access to a range of staff discount and benefits schemes. More information on the benefits available to you as a City of Doncaster Council employee can be found in the attached benefits book.

Please ensure you view the job summary and job profile as you will need to demonstrate in your application form how you meet the required criteria.

Shortlisting and interview dates to be confirmed.

For further details or an informal chat, please contact the Executive Director Riana Nelson, Tel: 01302 737800 or email riana.nelson@doncaster.gov.uk .

Our organisation is committed to safe and fair recruitment, safeguarding and protecting those we care for and serve. We make sure all our staff are vetted, selected, trained and supervised fairly and to a high standard so that they can provide safe, effective and compassionate care.

This post is classed as 'politically restricted' under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (as amended). The full details of the restrictions are set out in the Statutory Instrument, but broadly the restrictions prohibit candidature from public elected office; holding office in a political party; as well as involvement in political activities such as canvassing or public speaking/writing.

Doncaster Council is committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community where we strive to improve the quality of life for all. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff to share these commitments.

City of Doncaster Council is a disability confident employer committed to a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We offer interviews to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job, are flexible when assessing people so disabled applicants have the best opportunity to demonstrate they can do the job and make reasonable adjustments as required.

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