Rose Collinson has been at Medway Council since its creation in 1998. She joined the council in its shadow year in 1997 as Assistant Director for Lifelong Learning before becoming Director of Education and Leisure in 2002. Rose became Medway's first Director of Children's Services in January 2006.

Before coming to Medway, Rose worked as an education adviser for both Kent County Council and the London Borough of Redbridge. She is also experienced in teaching young people with special needs.