Welcome letter from Kuiama Thompson, Director of Public Health and Communities

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for considering the role of Assistant Director, Public Protection & Neighbourhoods at Rochdale Borough Council. We are excited to share more about this opportunity and why we believe it could be the next step in your professional journey.

Rochdale is a borough with a rich history and a vibrant community spirit. It has evolved significantly, benefiting from substantial public and private sector investments that have revitalised our infrastructure and rejuvenated public spaces. We are proud of our heritage as a birthplace of the Co-operative movement, and today we continue to build on that legacy through our commitment to communities, innovation and collaboration.

In this role, you will have the chance to lead a broad portfolio of services that are essential to the well-being of our residents. You’ll be responsible for strategic leadership in areas like Public Protection, Community Safety, Libraries, Customer Services, and Emergency Planning. This is a role for a visionary leader—someone with a passion for making a meaningful impact through transformational leadership and strategic thinking.

We are seeking a candidate who shares our commitment to community engagement and service improvement. Your leadership will drive innovation and collaboration, particularly as we embed our new Neighbourhood model, which is focused on delivering more efficient, accessible, and resident-centred services. You will also play a key role in strengthening multi-agency partnerships, which are essential to the safety and well-being of our community.

Our directorate is newly formed, and with that comes the unique opportunity to shape and drive its direction from the ground up. As Assistant Director, you’ll work alongside talented teams and dedicated partners to ensure that Rochdale continues to be a place where every resident feels supported and valued.

We recognise the demands of a role of this scale but we also believe the rewards—both professionally and personally—are substantial. You will be working in a collaborative and dynamic environment where your contributions will directly influence the quality of life in our borough.

If you are excited about the chance to make a lasting impact, we encourage you to apply. We look forward to welcoming a new Assistant Director who is as passionate about public service as we are.

Assistant Director, Public Protection & Neighbourhoods

Salary: £76,946 - £88,923

Help our communities feel safe, empowered and connected.

Rochdale is a town steeped in history, known for its pioneering spirit and rich heritage. It played a crucial role in the birth of the Co-operative movement, and its industrial legacy is still evident today.

In recent years, Rochdale has undergone a transformative journey, benefiting from significant investment by both public and private sectors. Funds from organisations such as the Heritage Lottery Fund and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have brought life back to historic sites, rejuvenated public spaces, and improved transport links. This, coupled with the warmth and strength of local communities, makes Rochdale a welcoming and vibrant place to live and work.

We are looking for an Assistant Director of Public Protection and Neighbourhoods, to join the Public Health and Communities Directorate, providing strategic leadership across a diverse portfolio of essential services. As part of Rochdale’s Wider Leadership Team, you will support the Director of Public Health and Communities in overseeing key areas, including Public Protection, Community Safety, Customer Services, Libraries, Emergency Planning, and Neighbourhood working. This is an opportunity to lead transformational change and deliver high-quality services to Rochdale’s residents.
In this role, you will drive strategic improvements in customer contact, including our telephone contact centres and customer services. Our community safety team have recently undergone a restructure to align with the Neighbourhood model, and we are looking to continue to embed a public health approach across community safety priorities. You will manage crucial public protection functions, such as trading standards, enforcement, licensing, and our covert surveillance operations. You'll also be responsible for maintaining the council’s emergency preparedness and supporting key community events. You’ll also guide our libraries and customer services teams through a period of change, adapting our services to better meet residents’ needs, from doorstep library services to face-to-face welfare advice.
You will lead on service development, transformation, integration, and the embedding of our new Neighbourhood model, to ensure improved outcomes, efficiency and accessibility for all.
This is an exciting time to join Rochdale Council, and the Public Health and Communities directorate. The directorate is newly formed, with a shared focus on improving health, wellbeing and strengthening communities. You will have the opportunity to make a lasting impact by shaping neighbourhood integration, improving service delivery, and empowering teams to work in new, innovative ways.
As a dynamic, strategic leader you will have a deep understanding of public service governance, political relationships, and community-focused delivery. You should have a proven track record of working across complex service areas and managing competing priorities with financial awareness.
You will have excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills, capable of motivating and inspiring teams while driving continuous improvement. Strategic thinking is key to this role, as you will be responsible for embedding neighbourhood models, supporting new ways of working, and leading system-wide reviews to improve services.
A strong commitment to customer service and community engagement is essential, as is the ability to manage relationships with elected members and multi-agency partners. You will work closely with a talented team of service heads and you will provide clear direction to achieve operational success.
If you are passionate about public service, strategic transformation, and making a real difference to Rochdale’s communities, we would love to hear from you. This is your chance to lead vital services and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Rochdale.
We are looking forward to meeting you and welcoming you to our fantastic council. For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact our recruitment partners at Tile Hill: Maud Hollis (07444 696659) maud.hollis@tile-hill.co.uk or Clare Connor (0161 408 0703) clare.connor@tile-hill.co.uk).