Head of Department with deputy function for Dannevirke Children's and Youth Home

Would you stand at the forefront of engaged employees with strong professional ambitions and be close to the pedagogical work with the children? At Dannevirke you get a clear leadership mandate and an opportunity to influence our continued development.

Dannevirke is a self-governing home for children and youth with four groups and its own special school in Haderslev Municipality. The relationship to each child is the focal point. We work from a basis of relational pedagogy, neuro-pedagogy and an understanding of the children's experiences and reactions.

Leadership with room to maneuver and responsibility

As department head and the principal's deputy you will play a central role in Dannevirke's leadership and development. You will become a close partner to the principal with the opportunity to influence both the pedagogical direction and the organization's development. You take on the deputy role after an introductory period.

You will have the daily pedagogical leadership of the groups and the full staff responsibility for around 16 employees. You set the direction, provide professional sparring and follow up on decisions with a view to both the children's well-being and the staff's working environment. As part of the leadership task you will participate in the on-call duty.

Your main tasks are to

• Develop the shared pedagogical practice together with the staff
• Ensure quality in documentation and follow-up on the children's goals and development
• Support collaboration with families, advisers and municipalities
• Create coherence between school and the groups together with the school leader
• Strengthen the staff's professional independence and shared responsibility for the task

We imagine that you

• Have a relevant social-science education and experience with personnel management from, for example, the social or municipal sector
• Know the children and youth sector and the professional dilemmas that come with working with vulnerable children and families
• Create followership through presence-led leadership, clear expectations and respect for the staff's professionalism
• Can prioritize, make decisions and maintain an overview in a changing everyday life

You do not need to master all parts of the task from day one. But it is important to us that you have found calm in your leadership role and can take responsibility for the whole. Leadership training and knowledge of neuro-pedagogy is an advantage.

What you get with us

You will get a self-directed leadership position with great freedom to prioritize your efforts. We trust your judgment and give you room to solve the task.

You are not included in the core staffing, and our scheduler handles duty roster planning and coverage during sick leave. This gives you space for staff management, professional development and presence in the groups.

We offer a thorough introductory course, ongoing leadership sparring and the opportunity for continuing education in neuro-pedagogy.

Application and contact

The position is permanent with a start date of February 1, 2027 or by agreement.

You will be employed on a job wage, under an individual contract. The monthly salary is 50,000–53,000 DKK depending on qualifications and experience. In addition, 17.3% employer-paid pension and a health scheme.

Feel free to call the principal Kim Callesen at 92 44 07 44 for a confidential conversation or to arrange a visit.

Please send your application and CV no later than Monday, November 30 at 8:00 AM.

Already we ask you to reserve time for the first interview on December 3, 2026 and the second interview on December 9, 2026. As preparation for the second interview you should prepare a case.

We will obtain references prior to employment, and you must be able to present satisfactory criminal and child protection clearance.