WOULD-BE council chiefs have until today (Friday) to apply for two of the most senior positions within St Helens Council.

The council is currently recruiting a new strategic director of place services and assistant chief executive as part of a management restructure.

Job adverts for the two senior roles say the candidates will help drive the borough’s future transformation, deliver growth and improve services.

The successful candidates will support the new chief executive Kath O’Dwyer, subject to her appointment being ratified by full council next week.

Paul Sanderson, the current strategic director for place services and deputy chief executive, was due to retire at the end of this year but agreed to stay on during this transition period.

His replacement will command an annual salary of up to £119,142.

“Our new strategic director of place services will drive our vital regeneration and economic growth agenda, as well as lead a wide variety of community-facing services which need to provide good value for money as well as high customer satisfaction,” the job advert says.

The new assistant chief executive, a role that was previously held in a temporary basis by Keith Ireland.

Mr Ireland joined the council in April as a consultant to help with the council’s modernisation plans, dubbed ‘One Council’.

The council parted ways with Mr Ireland, who cost the authority £930 a day, shortly after chief executive Mike Palin stepped down in September.

His replacement will receive up to £100,833 a year.

“Our assistant chief executive will work across the council and lead on our wide-ranging transformation journey, with a particular focus on embedding a joined up ‘One Council’ approach,” the job advert says.

For both roles, the council says it is seeking candidates with “significant senior local government experience” within a relevant discipline.

The candidates must also have “excellent partnership skills, strong political understanding, and the ability to deliver results and find solutions”.

The job adverts say the council has “fresh political leadership which is “determined to get things done”.

They conclude by saying St Helens is “open for business and poised for success”.

Preliminary interviews for both roles are expected to take place the week beginning January 13.

To find out more visit sthelens-future.com