Vacant job

Vara Municipality is in constant development. We dare to think new, challenge established patterns, and join forces to create the best possible value for our residents. As Head of Sector for Social Welfare, you will have an important and meaningful leadership role. You will become a key player in shaping a modern, preventive, and accessible social services department, while also contributing to the development of the entire municipal group.

About the role

As Head of Sector for Social Welfare in Vara Municipality, you have overall responsibility for the sector's operations, economy, and approximately 500 dedicated employees. The sector covers elderly care, individual and family care, as well as support for people with disabilities and labor market initiatives.

You report to the Municipal Director, are part of the municipality's management group, and work in close dialogue and cooperation with the elected politicians in the Social Committee to realize the committee's goals.

Your main challenges and opportunities in the role:

• Close to politics: You have a close and trusting collaboration with the Social Committee, where you translate political visions into practical reality and act as a strategic advisor in complex welfare issues.
• The new Social Services Act: You lead and drive the transition towards a more proactive, accessible, and knowledge-based social service with a focus on early interventions.
• Digitalization and operational development: You identify and implement digital tools and welfare technology that free up time, improve quality, and enhance the working environment for employees.
• Competence supply: You ensure that competence is developed and used correctly within the organization, based on the user's needs and a good working environment for employees.
• Municipal group development: You look beyond your own sector. You drive development that meets the needs of social welfare, while contributing to Vara Municipality's overall goals and collaborating broadly within the municipal group as well as with sub-regional and inter-municipal cooperation bodies.

Your profile

We are looking for a brave and strategic leader who is inspired by change and development.

• Education: Relevant academic degree.
• Experience: Several years of experience as a manager at a strategic level within social welfare, or areas that the employer deems equivalent. You have a very good understanding of working in a politically governed organization and experience in driving change and development processes.
• Leadership: You have a holistic view and see the value in collaborating across organizational boundaries. As a leader, you are communicative, trust-based, and lead with a strong ethical compass, as well as having the ability to engage your employees in development work. You build strong relationships with employers, employees, and collaboration partners.

We offer you

At Vara Municipality, you will find dedicated colleagues and managers, training and development opportunities, as well as benefits such as a wellness allowance. All employees are members of our Leisure Association, which organizes various activities and offers discounts on certain events at Vara Concert Hall.

In Vara Municipality, we make each other better, and it is together with our ethical compass that we reach our common goals.

Want to know more about what there is to experience and visit? Go to www.livetiskaraborg.se and discover the opportunities in Skaraborg.

Application

In this recruitment, Vara Municipality collaborates with Jefferson Wells. If you have questions about the position, you are welcome to contact recruitment consultant Camilla Rippe, [email protected], 0703-770138. We look forward to receiving your CV and cover letter as soon as possible, but no later than August 16, 2026. Interviews will begin in week 33.

We warmly welcome your application!

We value diversity and see differences as a strength. An extract from the criminal record register and ID documents are required before employment. All contacts are treated with confidentiality.

For more information about the position:

• Anna Cederqvist, Municipal Director: 0512-318 33
• Elin Sundén, HR Director: 0512-318 34
• Union representatives can be reached via the municipality's contact center: 0512-310 00