Overview
Reference: CCC00473
Description: Assistant Director: People & Change | up to £91,625 + generous pension
Location: Cambridge/ Hybrid
Cambridge is a city of global reputation and local pride – a place of ideas, innovation and inclusion. As a council, we are proud to serve a diverse and growing population and we are committed to delivering services that are responsive, resilient and rooted in our values. Like many councils, we are navigating a period of significant change with Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) on the horizon. This brings both challenge and opportunity and we are now seeking an Assistant Director for People & Change to play a pivotal role in shaping how we respond, adapt and continue to thrive.
This is one of two critical corporate hub roles (alongside the Chief Finance Officer), reporting to the Chief Operating Officer. Together, these roles form the backbone of our corporate leadership, ensuring focus, agility and alignment as the council continues to evolve.
As Assistant Director, you will provide visible, compassionate leadership across a broad portfolio: HR, organisational development, resourcing and retention, equalities, health and safety, emergency planning, strategic policy, performance and change. At its heart, this role is about championing our people – recognising them not only as recipients of change, but as the courageous drivers of it.
The coming months will be important in setting direction and building confidence. We need a leader who is politically astute, emotionally intelligent and action-oriented — able to distinguish the noise from what really matters and to balance immediate demands with our long-term ambition for an inclusive, progressive and high-performing council.
You will work closely with Members, senior officers, trade unions, staff and partners strengthening relationships and shared ways of working. Directly leading a team of around 30 professionals, you will be accountable for ensuring we have the right culture, capacity and capability to deliver on our ambitions.
You will bring a strong track record in complex, political environments and the ability to combine sound governance and accountability with the creativity and courage to foster collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
Through our People & Culture Strategy, we have set a clear vision: to be an employer where people feel valued, supported and included — with equity, diversity and belonging at the core, and a workforce that reflects our communities. This role is about more than managing services; it is about creating the conditions for high performance, resilience and trust, inspiring teams and leading with empathy and purpose.
This is a rare opportunity to join Cambridge City Council at a pivotal moment, playing a key role in our evolution. If you are ready to lead people with compassion, guide change with confidence and make a lasting difference for our communities, we would love to hear from you.
For more information on this position and Cambridge City Council, please visit our microsite at https://wwwcambridgecityleaders.co.ukand speak to our search partners, Ben Parsonage 07530 578921 (ben.parsonage@gatenbysanderson.com) or Laura Cubillo-Aparicio 07586 706878 (laura.cubillo-aparicio@gatenbysanderson.com)
To make an application, please submit your CV, including key responsibilities and achievements along with a Supporting Statement that covers your motivation for applying, your approach to inclusive leadership, how your values are aligned with the organisational values and how your experience and skills are relevant.
Closing date: 12 October 2025
**Cambridge City Council is an equal opportunity employer and embraces diversity, creating an inclusive environment for all employees.**
Region: Cambridge
Location:
Salary: *GBP*86,270 to *GBP*91,325 per annum
Package: Permanent
Contractual hours: 37
Basis: Full time
