Ask the Experts: Achieving promotion

I am head of service in the social care department of a council and am hoping to become an assistant director and eventually a director. What is the best way for me to gain the experience I need for these roles?

The move to assistant director or chief officer is more than just a bigger job – it is a change in perspective and responsibility. The director’s position needs to encompass the strategic longer term issues, as well as the tactical and operational, and of course the delivery of the council’s responsibilities as a whole, not just the individual service.

You will need to develop a clear view of the success of the whole council and your service’s contribution to that and be aware of the local and national political climate.

A good way to get used to this broader view is to set out the options and advice you might give a council leader and chief executive on an aspect not directly within your service. Practice drafting such briefings.

You will be a leader, manager, coach and a corporate manager for the organisation, as well as the service. These are challenging, but fulfilling roles and worth preparing for.

Answered by Paul Clark, director of the Potential Organisation. He was director of children’s services in Harrow for seven years