| Essential | Desirable |
| 1. | The managerial skills and experience necessary to ensure the effective working of the department, underpinned by relevant professional and managerial qualifications | |
| 2. | Thorough and demonstrable experience and understanding of the needs of service users, planning, commissioning and delivering services, the issues facing the City Council in relation to service delivery | A thorough and demonstrable understanding of the issues directly facing the Council or to which the Council might make a significant contribution. |
| 3. | An understanding of and sensitivity to the political judgements influencing both the overall objectives of the City Council and also the application of policies to specific areas. | An understanding of the practical implications for the management of the Council and its individual services of the application of the political and organisational models set out in Local leadership, local choice. |
| 4. | The ability to think about issues strategically, plan solutions and convert that thinking and planning into effective action. | The ability personally to devise and oversee the implementation of innovative approaches and solutions to both strategic and service issues. |
| 5. | The leadership skills and track record to gain the commitment of and to inspire staff to deliver the Council's objectives with flexibility | A track record that demonstrates evidence of significant achievement in cross-cutting approaches and solutions and the empowerment of staff. |
| 6. | The political awareness and ability to work with all political parties to deliver services. | |
| 7. | The interpersonal skills necessary to gain the confidence and commitment of stakeholders and potential partners to work co-operatively to enhance the city and its communities. | A track record that demonstrates tangible achievement in working effectively with other organisations and agencies towards a common end. |
| 8. | The management skills necessary to define performance requirements, maximise the use of scarce resources and monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the use of resources (including those of contractors) in pursuit of value for money and best value. | The ability to identify with clarity those aspects of the management of the service that require personal involvement and those that should properly be the responsibility of Heads of Service. |
| 9. | Demonstrated ability successfully to manage major change in a large and complex organisation. | |
| 10. | Ability to recognise the importance of customer focus, performance management and innovation in the future delivery of services | |
