Unleash your potential so the next generation can realise theirs

A message from our Chief Executive, Sam Mowbray

Thank you for taking a look at these roles and at Swindon. I’m really glad you’re here.

This is a place people care deeply about. You see it in our communities, and you see it in our colleagues, especially in the way they show up for children, families and communities every day. It’s something I feel very proud to be part of.

Everything we’re trying to do comes back to one thing. Improving outcomes for our residents. From supporting children and families to making sure our services work when people need them most, it’s all about making a real difference in people’s lives.

We’re not standing still. We’re reshaping how we work as a Council so we can do a better job for the people who rely on us, while making sure we’re financially sustainable for the future.

That’s why these roles matter so much.

Our Director of Children’s Social Care (Family Help and Safeguarding) will play a key part in continuing our improvement journey. There’s real momentum here, with a strong focus on practice, relationships and working alongside families to keep children safe wherever possible. We’re building on that, and we need someone who shares our determination to keep improving and to keep children at the heart of every decision.

Alongside that, our Head of Corporate Finance & Deputy Section 151 Officer will help us make sure we’re making the right decisions as an organisation. This is about more than balancing the books. It’s about making sure every pound we spend supports better outcomes for residents, and that we can deliver our ambitions in a way that lasts.

Across the Council, we’re developing a simpler, more joined-up way of working. Less duplication, clearer accountability, better use of data and technology, and a culture where people feel trusted to do the right thing.

And just as important is what it feels like to be part of the team here.

I want Swindon to be a place where you can do your best work. Where you feel supported by your colleagues, where leaders are visible and approachable, and where your voice is heard.

We also want our leadership to better reflect the communities we serve. Different experiences and perspectives make us stronger, help us make better decisions, and ultimately lead to better outcomes for residents.

If you’re interested in these roles but not sure you meet every requirement, I’d still encourage you to apply. We’re looking for people who bring the right values, judgement and commitment to making a difference.

This isn’t about stepping into something finished. It’s about being part of building it.

If you join us, you’ll help shape what comes next, whether that’s improving outcomes for children and families or helping us make the decisions that underpin everything we do.

I believe this is a place where you can make a difference and feel proud of the work you do every day.

I hope you’ll consider being part of it. I look forward to working with you.

Sam Mowbray, Chief Executive, Swindon Borough Council