Strategic Director of Community Services
Your vision. Our community.
FOR FULL DETAILS ON THIS VACANCY PLEASE VISIT OUR CAMPAIGN PAGE
www.iow.gov.uk/DirectorCommunities
At the Isle of Wight Council, we’re passionate about creating thriving communities, protecting our unique environment, and driving sustainable growth.
As a forward-thinking local authority, we put people first and champion innovation, collaboration, and excellence in everything we do.
We are now seeking a Strategic Director of Community Services to shape the future of our communities. Are you ready to join our team and lead with vision and purpose?
This is a rare opportunity to inspire change, champion sustainability and make a lasting impact on the lives of thousands
This is your chance to lead at a level where it truly matters.
As a key member of our corporate leadership team, you will:
- Lead a diverse portfolio including regeneration, economic development, environment, planning, highways, waste, commercial services, cultural heritage, leisure, coastal and public realm
- Drive transformation and innovation, embedding customer-centric principles and delivering services that make a real difference to residents.
- Act as an ambassador for the Island, representing us at regional and national forums and building strategic partnerships that unlock growth and opportunity.
- Shape the Council’s vision, translating political priorities into actionable strategies that deliver best value and measurable outcomes.
As our Strategic Director of Community Services, you’ll 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 truly embrace this role, you’ll need to be an exceptional leader, with superb communication skills, able to engage, inspire and influence as you build on relationships with our workforce, the public, media and partnership organisations
If you have the drive, resilience, and strategic vision to lead one of the most diverse and impactful portfolios in local government, we want to hear from you.
APPLICATION GUIDANCE
Visit our campaign page to apply for this role: www.iow.gov.uk/DirectorCommunities
Ensure you have fully read the Job Summary for this post prior to application.
Please Note: To apply for this position, you will need to provide us with:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) of no more than 4 sides of A4
- Covering statement to be no more than 4 sides of A4
- Completed application pack (Equality & Diversity, Criminal Convictions Declaration, Disability Declaration). These will be sent to you for completion once receive your initial CV and Cover Statement
- 2 References (let us know if these can be contacted prior to interview)
Please send all the above application details in one email to careers@iow.gov.uk
For an informal discussion about the position and for any queries, please contact careers@iow.gov.uk and we will arrange a virtual appointment.
Closing date: Sunday 11 January 2026
Interviews: We plan to interview 29 January 2026 with a view to the successful candidate starting in post on or before May 2026
Join #TeamIWC and you'll receive our staff benefits package, including:
- Annual leave entitlement of 32 days p/a 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 of up to £8,000 may be available for some roles (subject to criteria)
- Travel allowance may be available if commuting from the mainland (subject to criteria)
Find out more about working for the Isle of Wight Council and living on the Island.
The Isle of Wight Council currently does not have a license to sponsor overseas workers.
We actively promote the diversity of our workforce, and provide flexible working options (where appropriate) to support the different needs of our employees. We are an equal opportunities employer, proud to encourage applications from all cultures, backgrounds and abilities to better reflect the diversity within our local community.
We are a Disability Confident employer. Along with a number of commitments, this means, providing you meet the basic essential requirements of the advertised role and have declared yourself as disabled, you will be offered an opportunity for an interview within the council.
The Isle of Wight Council protects its employees from discrimination, and this is supported by;
our values, culture and inclusivity
The Isle of Wight Council’s Terms & Conditions of employment are available upon request. Please contact our recruitment team via adverts@iow.gov.uk if you would like to receive a copy.
The Isle of Wight Council reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than stated, if required. To ensure your application is considered, it is recommended to submit your application promptly.
For support completing your online application or for further information on how to apply, phone 01983 823134 or email careers@iow.gov.uk
Only applications submitted online by the closing date will be accepted.
We often receive a high volume of applicants for our vacancies. If you do not hear from the recruiting manager within three weeks of the closing date, we regret that your application will not have been successful on this occasion. Please revisit our job page for alternate posts that may be suitable.