Childcare Strategy and Sufficiency Manager (Fixed Term)

Job description

30 hours per week

Fixed Term until March 2028

Bridgend's Early Years and Childcare Team is seeking an exceptional and forward-thinking leader to build on our existing strengths at a pivotal time of growth, change and renewed vision.

As Childcare Strategy & Sufficiency Manager you will step into a high-impact role at a defining moment. The early years and childcare landscape is undergoing significant national change, presenting a unique opportunity to innovate and reshape local services.

In this dynamic position, you will own the statutory Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA), turning national policy into ground-breaking local strategy, driving forward a local workforce strategy to support the childcare sector at a time of change.

About the role.

Supported by a knowledgeable and experienced senior team, you will:

- Lead the local authority's response to childcare reform and major sector changes, developing modern action plans that meet Welsh Government requirements;

- Lead the delivery and expansion of the childcare expansion programme, including managing capital programmes and onboarding high-quality providers;

- Support your team with new childcare start-ups and guiding existing providers to grow, adapt, and build sustainable, resilient business models;

- Manage the Welsh Government small projects capital grant to fuel local growth and infrastructure improvements;

- Line-manage the Early Years Childcare Strategy & Sufficiency Team, fostering an agile, forward-thinking culture; and

- Establish powerful consultation networks with parents and other stakeholders to capture changing demands and directly shape future place-planning.

About you.

We are looking for a leader who:

Has a proven track record of managing teams and successfully navigating change within early years, childcare, or local government;

- Has the ability to look at demographic data and policy shifts as opportunities to innovate rather than obstacles;

- Understands the complexities of Childcare Sufficiency Assessments;

- Has experience managing capital grants and public sector budgets;

- Is a natural relationship-builder who can work positively and effectively with Welsh Government, stakeholders, private providers, and partners behind a shared vision; and

- Has strong familiarity with the early and childcare years landscape, policy and regulations.

Working as part of a supportive, collaborative and forward-thinking service, committed to continuous improvement and professional learning, the post-holder will have significant opportunities to contribute to wider system leadership and to influence priorities across early years.

A discussion with our Early Years Strategy, Partnerships and Operations Manager, Bethan Davies, is strongly encouraged and easily arranged. Please contact [email protected] to ask any questions you have or to organise an appointment for an informal conversation.

Applicants should be aware that, as this post may require travel throughout Bridgend, a valid driving licence and the use of a car during working hours are a requirement of appointment.

If you feel you have the necessary skills, experience and passion to thrive in what promises to be a varied, exciting and fast-paced role, we look forward to receiving your application.

The ability to greet customers through the medium of Welsh is a requirement for this post.

Protecting children, young people or adults at risk is a core responsibility of all council employees.

An Enhanced with Childrens Barred list criminal records check by the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) is a requirement for this post.

The council's Hybrid Working Policy applies to this post. This provides a framework for establishing how you will undertake working hours between your home and the office.

Closing Date: 14 October 2026

Shortlisting Date: 15 October 2026

Interview Date: 22 October 2026

Benefits to working at Bridgend County Borough Council

Job Description & Person Specification