Assistant Director Adults (Complex Needs) at Manchester City Council

About The Role
Assistant Director (Complex/specialist services)
THE ROLE

• Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will lead the operational delivery of adult statutory functions within the complex/specialist ASC services. This role has responsibility for the Learning disability, Mental health, Sensory, Preparation for Adulthood, No recourse to public funds, Substance misuse, Entrenched rough sleeper teams, Personalisation, and Out of hours services. You’ll be accountable for safe, effective and person-centred provision across the city, and you will be leading significant change programmes across the services described above.
• This is a role for a leader who combines professional credibility with operational depth. You’ll inspire a diverse workforce, embed high standards of practice, and strengthen performance frameworks, all while driving forward integration with health partners through the Manchester Local Care Organisation.

About the Candidate

• We are looking for a senior leader with a social work qualification, proven operational leadership, and the resilience to deliver in a complex, high-pressure environment. You’ll balance statutory grip with the creativity to shape new models of care and support.
• This is a rare opportunity be part of one of the most ambitious operational ASC systems in the country and make a real difference to people’s lives in one of Europe’s most exciting cities.

Benefits we offer

• Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
• A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process. 
• A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits. 

End Date; 02nd April 2026