THE Vale Council is searching for a new managing director after it was announced current council chief Sian Davies is stepping down.

The vacancy for the £127, 000 chief’s job is advertised on the Vale Council's website and the deadline for suitable candidates is this Friday, March 6.

The authority needs to recruit a new managing director and head of paid service after it was announced that part-time incumbent Sian Davies was scheduled to step down from the roll at the end of this month.

The successful candidate, based at the Civic Offices on Holton Road, needs, states Vale Council leader Cllr Neil Moore, to exhibit the “use of creative leadership and sound management” to place the organisation at the forefront of change.

Commanding an annual inclusive salary of £127,133 the new chief will be offered an open-ended permanent contract with 34 days annual leave plus public holidays.

The MD needs to work such hours deemed reasonably necessary, which could include evening and weekend meetings without further payments made.

The appointment requires “whole time” commitment to the council’s work.

Vale Council leader, Cllr Neil Moore in a direct letter to job hopefuls, said: “I believe that the Vale of Glamorgan is an excellent place to live, work and play and I trust that this letter will encourage you to apply to come and join us.

“The Vale of Glamorgan Council is both progressive and committed to offering the best services to its citizens and meets their needs. Within the council, officers, cabinet members and elected members are proud to work in partnership with one another and are dedicated to meeting the council’s agenda for change, during these challenging and austere times. I hope that the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s vision, aspirations and values matches your own ambitions and that you will be inspired to consider joining us on our journey, as our head of paid service.

“The council’s focus is targeted to delivering good services to those who receive our services within our core values of transparency, engagement, and empowerment. We believe these values will ensure that we deliver the right services, in the right way, to the right people.

“While still continuing to achieve our vision, there will obviously be a challenge to achieve the savings required, whilst still delivering high quality services to our residents. This is a time of unprecedented financial pressures, but we are confident that we can meet those challenges. Our council has an excellent record of delivering high performing services through our lean and efficient processes and these skills are now proving invaluable in delivering our reshaping services programme.

“At the same time as meeting these challenges, public services in Wales are likely to change. Reform to local government is clearly on the Welsh Government’s agenda and the Vale of Glamorgan Council must be at the forefront, contributing and leading any change.

“For the right person, the position of managing director and head of paid service offers an opportunity to lead the corporate management of this council by the use of creative leadership and sound management to place this organisation at the forefront of change.”

The job advert, on the Vale Council’s website, said developing the council’s vision, strategy and transformation agenda with elected members is central to the role and the applicant’s ability to lead, motivate, inspire and communicate will prove invaluable as productive relationships are built both internally and externally.

The advert states: “A high achiever in senior leadership with a track record in turning policy objectives into working plans, you will understand the public sector and its political sensitivities at local and national level. You will require experience in working impartially with elected members to facilitate democratic decision-making. Above all else, you will champion the needs of the people and communities of the Vale of Glamorgan.”

Cllr Moore added that if the Welsh Government had responded positively to the proposed voluntary merger with Bridgend County Borough Council then the planned course of action had been to seek to appoint a shared chief executive.

He said: “In the absence of an approved voluntary merger and the lack of certainty around the wider local government reform agenda it has become vital that other immediate and substantive arrangements are put in place - particularly as the Vale of Glamorgan Council could be in existence until 2020, some 5 years away.”

Then new officer will not be required to undertake the electoral registration and returning officer positions following the appointment of head of legal services Debbie Marles to those roles last November.

To apply, visit www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/managingdirector

To discuss, call Adrian Unsworth on 01446 70935.