Head of Department sought for Havkærparken: Can you see the big picture and at the same time spot the detail that makes a difference?

Head of Department sought for Havkærparken: Can you see the whole picture and at the same time spot the detail that makes a difference?

At Havkærparken we know that a small detail can be decisive for a persons wellbeing, development and ability to participate in the community.

We are therefore seeking a department head who is curious about practice, close to the professional field and motivated to create the best possible framework for adults with developmental disabilities and autism.

About the job

Havkærparken is an activity and social contact offering under the Service Act §104 for 24 adult citizens with developmental disability and autism. The citizens often have perceptual and sensory challenges, and several may exhibit challenging or self-harming behavior.

We work with structure, predictability, communication support and individually adapted activities. The goal is to create a daily life with meaning, wellbeing, development and positive experiences.

Havkærparken is part of the Center for Coping and Autism, which is part of Disability, Life Mastery and Communities in Aarhus Municipality.

As department head you will be responsible for 19 engaged staff distributed across four teams.

You must be able to move between strategic perspectives and everyday practice. You must create direction, development and good frameworks, while you are interested in what happens close to the residents.

With us, leadership is based on professional curiosity.

When something is difficult, we do not first ask: What is wrong with the resident?

We ask: What is the resident trying to tell us, and what can we do differently?

You must therefore be able to translate observations, data and professional knowledge into concrete improvements that make a real difference for the residents.

Your key tasks

You will among other things

• Set a clear direction for staff, professionalism and wellbeing.
• Be close to the pedagogical practice without taking it over.
• Support common professional methods and ensure that they can be seen in everyday life.
• Create coherence between professionalism, operations, economy and the work environment.
• Follow up on results and development.
• Ensure strong collaboration with relatives and partners.
• Actively contribute to the development of the entire Center for Coping and Autism.

You will succeed with us if you

• Can create followership around common goals.
• Have a view of both people, professionalism and operations.
• Can make decisions and stand by them.
• Are interested in understanding what lies behind behavior.
• Are curious about your own and othersr practice.
• Can balance present leadership with strategic overview.
• See yourself as a team player who takes responsibility for more than your own department.

We imagine that you

• Have leadership experience, preferably from the specialized social sector.
• Have experience with or an interest in autism- and developmental disability areas.
• Are professionally ambitious and focused on developing both staff and the offering.
• Thrive in a daily life where relationships and complex problems go hand in hand.

Why choose us

You will become part of a strong leadership community where we help each other, challenge each other and lift together.

You will get

• Responsibility for a professionally strong and meaningful offering.
• Skilled and engaged staff.
• Opportunity to influence the development of the Center for Coping and Autism.
• Sparring, leadership development and a strong leadership network.
• Opportunity to try new solutions and develop future initiatives.

Do you want to make a difference?

With us, good leadership is not only about providing direction. It is also about being curious about the small details that can make a big difference in a persons life.

If you can see the whole and at the same time notice the detail, we would love to hear from you.

Salary and terms of employment

Salary and terms of employment follow the applicable collective agreement. Final salary setting takes place after negotiation with the union organization with negotiating rights based on qualifications.

Weekly hours: Full-time.

Start: December 1, 2026.

Application

Positions in Aarhus Municipality are applied for electronically. Click on 'Search for the position' to fill out and send your application. All fields marked * must be filled. Only when you have received an email receipt have we received your application.

Application deadline: October 18, 2026.

Interviews will be held on October 20 and 23, 2026

The position is at all times conditional on a satisfactory public criminal record check.

You report to the Center Manager Diana Østergaard.

Diana Østergaard.

Center Manager

41856300