Cornwall Council

Chief Operating Officer and Section 151 Officer Salary: £135,406-£171,760 Location: Cornwall (headquartered in Truro) Shape the future of one of the UK's most ambitious and distinctive places. Cornwall is a place of extraordinary potential - rich in natural assets, powered by innovation, and defined by strong, connected communities. As one of the largest and most complex unitary authorities in the country, we serve over half a million residents and manage a revenue budget of more than £1.5bn and a capital investment programme exceeding £1.9bn. We're proud of our strong foundations - sound governance, motivated people, and a track record of delivery. But we're also ambitious for what's next. Guided by our mission - working with communities for a carbon neutral Cornwall, where everyone can start well, live well and age well - we're driving forward a bold agenda for sustainable growth, digital transformation, and inclusive prosperity. We're now seeking an outstanding leader to join our Chief Executive and Corporate Leadership Team as Chief Operating Officer and Section 151 Officer - a career-defining role at the heart of one of the UK's most exciting public sector organisations. You'll bring strategic vision, political acumen and financial expertise, ensuring we have the systems, resources and culture to deliver our priorities and FAIR values (Fairness, Ambition, Inclusion and Respect). This is a strategic and enabling leadership role, at the heart of the Council's organisational engine room - ensuring that our customer and corporate services fully enable the delivery of political priorities. With accountability for a wide-ranging directorate - spanning Finance, Legal, Digital, HR, Strategy and Customer Services amongst others - you will translate strategy into action, leading transformation across the Council, embedding our People-Powered, Digitally-Enabled operating model, and driving sustainable services and great value for money for our residents. We're looking for a collaborative, forward-thinking leader with a strong record of delivery in complex, multi-stakeholder environments - whether from local government or other comparable sectors. You'll be equally comfortable operating at pace, shaping corporate strategy, and engaging Members, partners and communities to achieve shared outcomes for Cornwall. If you're motivated by purpose, inspired by Cornwall, and ready to make a lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you. For a confidential discussion, please contact our partners at Penna: Andy Tromans Kelly Ridley Closing date: Sunday 9 November, 2025. Cornwall Council is a Disability Confident and Fertility Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, and are committed to creating an inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve.

Make a difference - Children's Social Work in Cornwall "Senior leaders and politicians are relentless in their drive to continue to improve the lives of Cornwall's children and families" Staff's care, commitment and child focussed approach shine through when they talk about their work. This positive working environment helps to foster a culture in which an enthusiasm and commitment to do the best for children is found at all levels in the organisation." Ofsted, July 2024 The Service & Team: Social workers make a real difference to the lives of children in Cornwall. We believe that the children of Cornwall deserve the very best. We put their needs at the heart of everything we do, and we are looking for people who share our determination to improve their lives and make a brighter future. If you believe in humane, relationship-based social work with children and families we offer the opportunity to develop your social work career in an innovative and ambitious children's service in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. As part of our commitment to outstanding practice, we have put in place a comprehensive core curriculum and career and qualification pathway for our social workers to develop their knowledge and skills to deliver the most effective social work intervention with children and families. If you are committed to continuing professional development, can demonstrate learning in your practice and in improved outcomes for the children you help and protect, we will provide you with the career options and remuneration that match your expertise. We actively encourage the best practitioners to remain in front line practice and reward them for their commitment and expertise. The Principal Social Worker role is one of two Advanced Practitioner roles in Cornwall, aligned to the Professional Capabilities Framework, and the Knowledge and Skills Statement for Practice Supervisors. Principal Social Workers are directly involved in practice, holding a small caseload, supervising practitioners, facilitating team-based learning and deputising for the Team Manager. The Role: We have exciting opportunities for full time Principal Social Workers available across the County. Highlighted teams include: Children in Care - West Children in Care - East Child Protection - St. Austell Child Protection - Camborne Family Assessment and Support Teams - Truro Disabled Children and Therapy Service - Mid Gweres tus Yowynk (specialist adolescents' service, supporting young people aged 13+ on the edge of care) Multi Agency Referral Unit This is a public/customer-facing role, where the statutory English language requirement for public sector workers applies. This position will be subject to an enhanced criminal record disclosure check. 'Find out more about our social work careers here - Work in Adults or Children's Social Care - Cornwall Council . What you'll need to succeed: The Principal Social Workers role requires significant experience of evidence-based practice with children and families and significant expertise in evidence-based practice. For these reasons, the salary scale for our Advanced Practitioners is the same as for our Team Managers. Please read the role profile for the full details of this role attached below in this advert What you'll get in return: Cornwall Council's ambition is to be an employer of choice, a high performing Council and a learning organisation. We commit to providing a reward and benefits package to attract, motivate and reward our employees. We offer a range of flexible working options to our staff. This helps provide our employees with a greater work/life balance. Whilst still ensuring that service needs are met. Find out more about working and volunteering for us . Cornwall is one of the best places in the country to live, work and bring up a family. We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of our staff and we recognise that resilient Social Workers need a good work/life balance as well as supportive leadership and support in the workplace. Cornwall's location and landscape offers unique opportunities for a healthier, happier way of life. In recognition of the vital contribution you make, we offer an attractive package of benefits including: A competitive starting salary, equivalent to a Team Manager A generous relocation package Welcome bonus of £4000 for qualified Social Workers who are new to social work in Cornwall and have completed their ASYE An individualised induction to meet your specific needs and learning An outstanding core curriculum to support your ongoing development with a high-quality programme of evidence-based learning and development to enhance skills and practice. An outstanding career and qualification pathway, recognised by Ofsted, which will support your progression. Support from our dedicated Practice Educators throughout your progression pathway Regular, high-quality case and reflective supervision Supportive management and leadership Support to access temporary accommodation if moving from outside of Cornwall Access to a Cornwall Council lease car 26 days paid annual leave per year (rising with length of service), plus bank holidays Flexible working opportunities, including part-time hours and homeworking A license to access Community Care Inform and Research in Practice. Payment of your Social Work England registration fees. Sponsorship for eligible overseas social work applicants Additional Information: Cornwall Council is unable to offer visa sponsorship or transfer existing sponsorship for this role. The full role profile is attached here We recommend saving a copy of this to refer to if you are invited to an interview For more information or an informal chat about the role please contact