A replacement executive director of children and family services is being sought by Dundee City Council.
The incumbent Michael Wood’s approaching retirement has meant applications are now being received for the role, which has a salary of between £105,049 and £111,474.
Mr Wood’s replacement will head up service delivery to children and families within an integrated framework which includes criminal justice.
According to documents attached to the job application, the key responsibilities of the role include developing concepts and strategies to improve performance and services, empowering employees and encouraging innovation.
Councillor Stewart Hunter, convener of the children and family services committee, said: “I think we all recognise Michael will be a hard act to follow. He has done an amazing job, in some difficult periods as well.
“He will be a loss to us, and as I say, a hard act to follow.
“What we are looking for is someone who embraces what we are trying to do in Dundee.
“It’s not just about education, but improving attainment and a range of things.
“Dundee is viewed very positively around Scotland, and I expect a lot of high calibre candidates. We are doing a lot of good things in the city — we have made some significant progress in Michael’s time, building on other good work.
“Dundee is one of the places people want to come, primarily thanks to a lot of the good work Michael has done.
“We are heading in the right direction and we need someone who will hit the ground running.”
Michael started teaching in 1981 in primary schools and has gone on to have a wide and varied career.
He became a head teacher in two primary schools before taking up the position of Her Majesty’s inspector of schools and worked in that role for 12 years.
He had various responsibilities in that time, including working as district inspector for Dundee, Angus, Aberdeenshire, and Aberdeen City.
He was appointed to the post of head of education for Dundee in 2009.
Applications close on December 12, and following a shortlisting, assessment centre and final interview process, the new executive director is expected to be announced some time after January 24, 2017.
