NETS & Countryside Manager, Whitehill Service Centre, 503.41 - INTERNAL APPLICATIONS ONLY

Job Advert

INTERNAL ONLY

Applications for this post will only be accepted from current employees of West Lothian Council (this includes casual and agency staff who are currently undertaking work for us).

Secondment opportunities must be discussed with your current line manager prior to submitting an application for this post.

36 hours per week, 52.14 weeks per year, Permanent

Operational Services are looking for a candidate who can provide strategic direction, leadership and operational management of NETs, Land and Countryside Services, and take responsibility for excellent service delivery and continuous improvement in a challenging environment.

Reporting to the Head of Operational Services and a member of the service’s Senior Management Team, you will contribute to and participate in the management and governance of the wider service.

You will be responsible for providing transformational leadership to ensure a high-quality workforce that is appropriately developed and supported to deliver excellence in front line service delivery. You will manage a service management team of four senior managers who are subject experts in their own service area.

To be effective in the role you will be creative and pro-active in developing services and will have a proven track record of working in partnership with both internal and external stakeholders and agencies to drive forward an agenda of continuous improvement.

You will be responsible for a staff resource of approximately 220 FTE, an annual gross expenditure revenue budget of £12.3 million and an open space capital investment programme of £2.6 million per year, and will be required to manage these through an approach which delivers effective governance, in relation to operational and financial performance, and regulatory compliance

To be the successful candidate you will have a proven track record of strategy development with particular emphasis on meeting local and national performance targets. You will be educated to honours degree level or have a post graduate qualification or have substantial equivalent experience in a relevant area.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Participate in strategic debates and implementation of the agreed direction of Operational Services.

• Design, develop, manage, and coordinate all operational aspects of open space asset management, countryside/parks development and usage, grounds maintenance, street cleansing, stores, cemeteries service and war memorials to achieve ‘best value’ and meet key Council priorities, set objectives and performance targets.

• Develop innovative strategies for integrated, sustainable improvements for open space asset management, country parks management and usage, grounds maintenance and littering strategies and plans.

• Prepare and monitor annual service, financial, and resourcing plans to achieve objectives and targets monitoring the performance of NET’s, Countryside and Land Services on an ongoing basis and taking corrective action as appropriate against adverse variances.

• Take a lead role for the Council in the development and delivery of the Capital Open Space Asset Management Plan and associated revenue budgets.
• Create organisational structures and processes to ensure staff are trained, developed, and motivated to meet performance expectations and secure achievements of individual, team and corporate objectives.
• Ensure full compliance with statutory, legislative, and regulatory requirements.
• Improve delivery systems and respond to customer enquiries and complaints.
• Promotion and communication of services and initiatives to all stakeholders including the public, Council staff, elected members, community groups, external agencies and the media.
• Develop and apply new ideas, and innovative approaches to the strategic provision, management and development of open space assets, grounds maintenance, street cleansing, countryside and NET’s services environment management to ensure effective change, the development of best practices and delivery of services to the highest standard.
• Represent the council at meetings and provide professional advice. Prepare and deliver reports and represent the Council and NET’s, Land and Countryside Services at meetings with elected members, other Council Officers, Community groups, local enquiries, national and inter authority bodies and other gatherings to ensure information and professional advice is available on open space asset management, grounds Maintenance, Street Cleansing, Countryside Management, NET’s and environment management and matters of importance to West Lothian Council.
• Develop and maintain formal and informal contacts on open space asset management, grounds maintenance, street cleansing, countryside and NET services and environment management matters in other local authorities, government departments and agencies other local authorities, regulatory bodies, police and pressure groups to discuss matters of mutual interest and ensure any issues are dealt with timeously and amicably.