Build the future. Lead the difference. Join West Surrey.



West Surrey Council is one of the most significant new local authorities to be created in a generation.



From April 2027, six existing councils will come together to form a new unitary authority serving communities across Guildford, Waverley, Woking, Surrey Heath, Runnymede and Spelthorne. This is a rare opportunity to help create a new organisation from the ground up and shape how residents are supported to live healthy, independent and fulfilling lives.



Reporting to
Susan Halliwell, Chief Executive , you will be the statutory
Director of Adult Social Services and a key member of the Corporate Leadership Team. Beyond leading adult social care, public health, prevention, commissioning and whole-life pathways, you will play a central role in shaping the culture, ambition and identity of a major new authority.



This is not a maintenance role. It is a transformation leadership opportunity: to bring services and cultures together, create a more integrated and preventative health and care system, strengthen transitions between children's and adult services, and establish sustainable services from day one.



We are seeking an exceptional leader with the professional credibility, strategic judgement and drive to lead through complexity and change. You will look beyond organisational boundaries, building influential partnerships across NHS organisations, the Integrated Care System, providers, communities and the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector.



Just as importantly, you will contribute to the collective leadership of the whole council. West Surrey is looking for corporate leaders who challenge constructively, bring diversity of thought, share accountability and work across traditional service boundaries.




We are looking for:

• A proven senior leader in adult social care, health or related services, with the credibility and judgement to fulfil the statutory DASS responsibilities.


• A strong track record of large-scale transformation, service integration and organisational change.


• Experience of leading prevention, early intervention, demand management and sustainable service redesign.


• The ability to strengthen whole-life pathways and improve transitions between children's and adult services.


• Compelling system leadership and partnership skills, with the confidence to influence across organisational and professional boundaries.


• Political awareness and the ability to build trusted relationships with elected Members, regulators, partners and communities.


• A collaborative, values-led leader who will help build a high-performing, one-council culture.


• The ambition, resilience and energy to help create something new and leave a lasting legacy.

Why West Surrey?



Few roles offer the opportunity to shape a new authority, a new executive team and a new approach to adult social care and health from the outset. West Surrey is not inheriting a finished organisation. It is creating one.



The scale brings both challenge and possibility: bringing together services, people and expertise; redesigning support around residents and communities; connecting adult social care, health, housing and children's services; and influencing the wider Surrey system.



West Surrey is looking for leaders who are excited by possibility, comfortable with ambiguity and motivated by public service. Leaders who can look up and out while maintaining the grip, assurance and professional standards needed to protect adults and sustain public confidence.




About Local Government Reorganisation



Local government in Surrey is changing to make services simpler, more connected and better able to respond to local needs. From April 2027, Surrey County Council and the existing district and borough councils will be replaced by two new unitary authorities: East Surrey and West Surrey.



West Surrey Council will bring together responsibility for essential local services including children's services, adult social care, housing, planning, highways, public health, environmental services, leisure and community services.



Alongside this, Surrey is working with government on plans to secure greater devolution and unlock new opportunities for local decision-making, investment and growth.



For a confidential discussion, contact Kembi.Coakelin@GatenbySanderson.com and Alex.Hayes@GatenbySanderson.com



Find out more at www.surreylgrhub.gov.uk




Closing date: Friday 20th November, 12pm noon



To view the job description and person specification, please scroll to the bottom of the page, tick to agree to the privacy policy, then click 'Continue to full details'.




Recruitment Timetable



Closing date

12 noon - Friday 20th November 2026




How to Apply

• Please submit your CV along with a Supporting Statement addressing the person specification criteria, evidencing how you meet the criteria.


• Detail any employment or education gaps.


• Be ready to provide the names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees; one should be your current or most recent employer. Referees will be contacted for those proceeding to final stages. We will always gain your permission before we contact referees.


• Let us know any difficulty you may have with the indicative timetable.


• Check that your contact details are correct before you submit.

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automated email confirmation. If you do not receive, please email contactus@gatenbysanderson.com