Joint Assistant Director - Regulatory Services

Lead and shape regulatory excellence across two boroughs.

Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils operate as a fully integrated joint council partnership, delivering services seamlessly across both organisations. We are now seeking an exceptional senior leader to join us as Joint Assistant Director for Regulatory Services. A role with major responsibility, significant influence, and direct impact on the safety and wellbeing of more than 265,000 residents and thousands of businesses.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-profile regulatory portfolio, provide strategic direction across multiple complex service areas, and help shape the future of a large, forward-thinking joint council.

About the Role

As a key member of our Joint Leadership Team, you will be accountable for the effective, efficient and high-quality delivery of the full suite of Regulatory Services across both councils, including:

• Food safety & health and safety enforcement
• Licensing and events management
• Private sector housing
• Environmental protection and enforcement
• Business continuity and emergency planning
• Corporate health and safety

You will lead approximately 100 staff, including two Joint Heads of Service, fostering a high-performing, values-driven culture across both organisations.

Your Impact

Strategic Leadership

Provide high-quality advice to Councillors, senior officers and partners, shaping policy, influencing decisions and aligning service delivery with corporate priorities.

Operational Excellence

Ensure Regulatory Services deliver consistently high standards of public protection, compliance, customer experience and value for money.

Cultural & Organisational Leadership

Empower managers, build capability, and champion our joint organisational values — Collaboration, Wellbeing, Trust, Value for Money and Professionalism.

Risk, Resilience & Preparedness

Lead business continuity, emergency planning and corporate health and safety, ensuring the Councils remain resilient, compliant and ready to respond.

Innovation & Forward Thinking

Horizon-scan, identify emerging trends and drive modern, efficient and future-focused approaches to regulatory service delivery.

Representation & Influence

Act as an ambassador for both councils, representing the joint organisation at local, regional and national levels.

About You

We are looking for a credible, outward looking and collaborative senior leader with:

• A strong track record in leading multi-disciplinary services in a public sector environment
• Experience overseeing complex service portfolios, budgets and transformation activity
• Political awareness and confidence advising elected members
• Experience leading change, building culture and driving continuous improvement
• Strong partnership skills and the ability to operate across organisational boundaries
• A commitment to equality, inclusion and the Nolan Principles of Public Life
• A commercial, analytical and improvement-focused mindset

You will be committed to ongoing professional development, and able to demonstrate outstanding leadership capability.

Why Join Us?

• Lead a large, complex, and high-impact regulatory portfolio
• Influence strategic direction across two boroughs
• Play a central role in organisational resilience and public protection
• Work with a highly committed senior leadership team
• Drive modernisation and innovation in a progressive joint authority

We offer a competitive senior leadership package, flexible working arrangements and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference at scale.

Ready to Lead With Purpose?

If you are motivated by public service, driven by challenge and inspired by the opportunity to shape regulatory excellence across two boroughs, we would love to hear from you.

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