MLCO & Integrated Neighbourhood Team
Adult Social Care Services -MLCO
About Us – Manchester Local Care Organisation
Strategic Director Adult Social Services
Town Hall Extension, Albert Square,
Manchester, M60 2LA
£143,836- £164,909 per annum
Manchester
About the role
Strategic Director Adult Social Services
Manchester is a city that leads from the front. Known worldwide for its culture, sporting success and diversity, it’s also a pioneer in public service reform, reshaping services in ways that influence thinking far beyond our boundaries. Few areas show this more clearly than in Adult Social Care.
Our current DASS, Bernie Enright, retires in March 2026, leaving a legacy of compassion and innovation, from the award-winning “Better Outcomes, Better Lives programme” to embedding neighbourhood-based integrated care through the Manchester Local Care Organisation. Under her leadership, Manchester became a national exemplar for partnership working and she leaves behind an extraordinary career dedicated to improving lives.
THE ROLE
Now, we’re seeking an exceptional successor to shape the future. As our next Strategic Director of Adult Social Services, you’ll hold statutory responsibility for Adult Social Care, lead transformation across the system, and set the strategic direction for two newly created Director roles. You’ll be at the heart of Manchester’s Corporate Leadership Team, working with political leaders, partners and communities to deliver the next chapter of reform.
This is a role of national significance. We’re looking for a leader with vision, authority and resilience, who can inspire confidence locally and contribute to the national debate on the future of social care. Above all, you’ll share our belief that every Manchester resident should be able to live with dignity, independence and connection.
This is your chance to shape one of the country’s most dynamic health and care systems in one of Europe’s most ambitious cities.
TO APPLY
To find out more information and to apply please visit Starfish Search or call our advising consultants: Tom Ripley (07701 217 520), Tim Farr (07756 293 292) or Luke Judd (07435 270659).
TIMELINE
Closing date: Sunday 9th November 2025
Longlist meeting: Thursday 13th November 2025
Preliminary interviews: Monday 17th and Thursday 20th November 2025
Final interviews: Wednesday 3rd December 2025
Message from Councillor Bev Craig – Leader
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Letter from Cllr Robinson
Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Adult Social Care
As Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Adult Social Care I am excited to introduce our Manchester Adult Social Care journey to prospective candidates to the role of Executive Director of Adult Social Services.
I have been Executive Member since 2022 and have had the privilege of working with our current Executive DASS and her team as we have delivered significant improvements and transformed our services with a focus on improving outcomes for Manchester people.
This work has been led by the Executive DASS through our nationally recognised Better Outcomes, Better Lives programme which focused on embedding strengths-based practice, intervening early and through fantastic services including Reablement, strengthening our commissioning and most importantly investing in and supporting our workforce to put Manchester people at the heart of everything we do.
We have had huge success in growing extra care in the city and have closely with VCFSE colleagues to expand and develop our carers offer, both examples of the strong partnerships we have in the city of Manchester.
We have also continued to develop our integrated arrangements through Manchester Local Care Organisation, working closely in partnership with Manchester Foundation Trust. Our current Executive DASS has been at the heart of this work, and I’m looking forward to working with her successor to ensure that Adult Social Care is supported to continue to improve outcomes for people, working closely with health services and all partners, underpinned by our approach to co-production with people who draw on care and support and their carers.
We’re really proud of all of the progress we have made – and with the foundations that have been put in place, the role provides a fantastic opportunity to have a significant impact here in the city of Manchester.
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Message from Tom Stannard – Chief Executive
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Empowering, Diverse, Forward Thinking, A Great Place to Work.
Adult Social Work in Manchester.
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Further information
Manchester Local Care Organisation
Manchester Local Care Organisation is a pioneering public sector organisation that provides your NHS community health services and adult social care services in Manchester. Part NHS and part local authority, we work as one team across traditional organisational boundaries to achieve this.
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