We are Team Leeds
Why Leeds
In a major city of over 800,000 residents, leadership offers the chance to make a difference at scale - protecting children, strengthening families, and building inclusive systems that support every child to thrive. With a huge diversity of communities with different strengths and challenges, you will use the breadth of your expertise with vision and compassion for lasting impact.
As the UK’s fastest‑growing city and the economic heart of West Yorkshire, Leeds is dynamic, outward‑looking and innovative. We are equally proud to be a values‑led and compassionate city, with a long‑standing Child Friendly ethos that places relationships, inclusion and lived experience at the centre of how services are designed and delivered. Our ambition is clear: the success of the city must translate into better lives for children and families in every community.
Leeds City Council is England’s second largest local authority, with more than 14,000 colleagues working alongside partners across health, education, policing and the voluntary and community sector. In Children and Families, we are undertaking a deliberate leadership renewal – strengthening how we work corporately and leading as one team across the system. This is an opportunity to join a city that believes in purposeful transformation, shared leadership, and the power of partnership to deliver lasting improvement for children and families - now and into the future.
Our Leeds Ambitions
The Leeds Ambitions are our vision for the city. Created in consultation with residents and partners, the Leeds Ambitions are a strategic roadmap with a core mission of addressing poverty and inequality to achieve real and measurable results.
We have listened and learned, and have built that feedback into the Leeds Ambitions to ensure we keep a sharp focus on:
Our updated priorities: Our Leeds Ambitions have at their heart four key priorities that reflect interconnected goals: health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, strong communities and a sustainable city
Tackling poverty and inequality: Leeds Ambitions serves as the city’s anti-poverty strategy, embedding Marmot City principles to drive meaningful change
Shared city vision: Leeds Ambitions is no longer solely a council plan; it’s a collective vision with shared leadership and input from diverse organisations citywide
Our Team Leeds approach: we’re building on the strengths of Team Leeds to further boost collaborative working, social value, community empowerment and resource sharing
Clearer impact measurement: A new outcomes framework will use action plans, benchmarks and data to track progress and monitor the impact of the Leeds Ambitions
Strategic partnerships: We want our partnership infrastructure to be fit for the future; continuing our work with Leeds Anchors Network and Leeds Community Anchor Network and empowering all partners to drive shared action.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We are proud to be an inclusive employer, supporting you all the way, from the moment you apply to join our team throughout your time working with us.
We recognise that to properly serve our city, our leadership and our workforce must fully reflect the diverse people of Leeds. Teams built of individuals who bring their unique contributions to the table are vital if we are to evolve and innovate to deliver for our citizens.
Our values encapsulate our commitment to treat people fairly, appreciate others and challenge all forms of inequality and discrimination. Our leaders embody our values, creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, use their individual talents and feel that they belong.
We’re keen to hear from people of all backgrounds and life experiences who can lead our services with fresh insight and perspective. We especially welcome applications from women, carers, veterans, LGBTQ+ people, those from ethnically diverse communities, disabled people, and those with care experience - and anyone else who brings lived experience that can lead us do things better.
The following accreditations and pledges demonstrate our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion:
· Mindful Employer
· Disability Confident Leader
· Age-friendly Employer Pledge
· Stonewall Workplace Equality Index Top 100 Employer
· Fostering Friendly Employer
· Armed Forces Covenant
· Living Wage Employer
Our staff networks provide peer support and a safe space to colleagues who associate with a particular theme through lived experience or allyship. At an organisational level the networks are important in raising awareness, empowering underrepresented groups and driving cultural change.
Our Benefits
We know that delivering exceptional public services starts with supporting the people who make them happen. That’s why we prioritise a rewarding and inclusive experience for all our colleagues. We offer a comprehensive range of benefits focused on professional development, wellbeing, work-life balance and finances. Our employment policies are designed with flexibility and fairness in mind, helping you balance your personal circumstances with your career ambitions.
Our leadership package includes:
Fair and transparent pay progression structure under the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) for Chief Officers in local government
Annual leave starting at 28 days (33 days after 5 years’ service) plus statutory holidays, with the option to purchase 5 additional days through salary sacrifice
Flexible and hybrid working options subject to your role and service need
Professional development with fully funded study for relevant qualifications and supporting your progression through opportunities at work or with our partners
Local Government Pension Scheme administered by West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
Shared cost AVC scheme allowing you to boost your pension in the most tax-efficient way
Support for your wellbeing through our family friendly policies, flexible working options and 24/7 employee assistance programme
Exclusive offers on an ultra-low emission vehicle lease paid for through salary sacrifice
Moneysaving offers including discounts with national retailers and special deals with local businesses
We’re proud to foster a workplace where everyone can be their best - and where your leadership can make a lasting difference to the communities we serve. Find out more about benefits for all Leeds City Council colleagues.
Living in Leeds
Living in Leeds
Life in Leeds offers far more than a great career opportunity. Leeds is a vibrant, confident and welcoming city, combining the energy of a major urban centre with an exceptional quality of life. With a thriving economy, a rich cultural scene and a strong sense of community, it’s a place where people come to build both careers and lives.
Well connected and easy to navigate, Leeds benefits from excellent road and rail links across the UK, alongside Leeds Bradford International Airport just a short journey from the city centre. Whether you prefer the buzz of city living, the character of established suburbs or the calm of surrounding rural areas, there is a wide and varied choice of places to call home – all within easy reach of work and leisure.
Leeds is one of the greenest cities in the UK, with an abundance of parks, waterways and open spaces, including seven Green Flag award‑winning parks. For those who love the outdoors, the Yorkshire Dales and dramatic countryside are right on the doorstep, offering space to unwind and explore.
The city’s cultural life is equally rich. From world‑class galleries and museums to theatres, live music venues and independent cinemas, Leeds has something for every taste. A lively food scene, excellent shopping and a strong calendar of festivals and events add to the city’s appeal.
For sports fans, Leeds is home to internationally recognised teams across football, cricket and rugby, as well as a strong grassroots and participation sporting culture.
Friendly, diverse and full of character, Leeds offers a warm Yorkshire welcome – and a place where you can truly feel at home.
We can’t wait to give you a warm Yorkshire welcome!
