Jobs

Salary: £110,161–£129,639

Barking & Dagenham is a borough with huge ambition and a clear mission: to break the cycle of disadvantage and create lasting change. We are growing fast, regenerating boldly and tackling some of the toughest inequalities in the country.

Our “It Starts Here” vision is about creating the conditions for people to thrive, through cleaner streets, greener spaces, and services that empower communities. The public realm is at the centre of that story. It is the part of the council that every resident, visitor and business touch every single day, our streets, parks, bins, cemeteries, highways and open spaces. It is also the most visible, most emotive, and most politically sensitive part of what we do.

We are looking for a leader who can combine operational grip with long-term vision; who can hold their own in high stakes contract negotiations; and who can bring commerciality, innovation and collaboration to a complex portfolio.

Your remit will span waste and recycling, street cleansing, highways and fleet, parks and green spaces, caretaking and cemeteries, around £40m of services that shape how our borough looks and feels. In your first 12–18 months you will:

• Deliver a major reconfiguration of the waste collection service to ensure delivery of statutory requirements around food waste and simpler recycling.
• Represent the Council as a key stakeholder in East London Waste Authority major waste contract procurements, ensuring value for money is being achieved and maximising social value and operational quality.
• Finesse and implement public realm’s input into our new Neighbourhood Model for service delivery, with a focus on intelligence-led service delivery and where the voluntary and community sector can assist in achieving the Council’s objectives.
• Develop our unique Instant Response Unit services to ensure the borough’s resilience to key incidents, particularly around impacts from changing climate emergencies.
• Drive efficiencies and unlock new income streams.
• Champion smarter, tech-enabled service delivery, and future-proof services against population growth and demographic change.

We are open-minded about your background. You may be a senior leader in local government already, or you may come from waste, transport, logistics, or other management. What matters most is that you can lead at scale, bring commercial and political confidence, and share our ambition

for a cleaner, greener, fairer borough.

This is not about “keeping the lights on.” It’s about leading services that define civic pride, community trust and daily quality of life. If you want the chance to make a visible

impact and leave a legacy, this is your opportunity.

For further information about us and the role, please refer to the candidate briefing pack linked below:

LB Barking & Dagenham – Director of Public Realm – Candidate Briefing Pack

For a confidential conversation, contact our consultants at Penna:

• Kelly Ridley on 07709 512415 or kelly.ridley@penna.com
• Bruna Varante on 07858 306725 or bruna.varante@penna.com
• Andrew Tromans on 07805 226301 or andrew.tromans@penna.com

Key Dates

• Applications deadline – 27^th November 2025
• Longlist meeting – 2^nd December 2025
• Technical interviews – 4^th December 2025
• Officer interviews – 5^th December 2025
• Shortlist meeting – 5^th December 2025
• Final Member Panel – Week commencing 22^nd December 2025

 How to Apply

• Click "Apply"
• Upload your CV under “Please select one of the options below.”
• Complete the short mandatory fields on the next page.
• Use ‘Add Attachments’ to upload your Supporting Statement and any other documents.
• Please ensure that the file name of your CV and supporting statement includes your full name.
• Ensure both CV and Supporting Statement are uploaded before submitting your application.

Job Title: Technology Transformation Lead

Location: London (Hybrid)

LHH is delighted to be partnered with FSCS as they embark on a bold, multi-year Advice Transformation Programme to modernise how they deliver for customers, strengthen resilience, and drive greater efficiency.

To lead this journey, we are seeking a Technology Transformation Lead to take full ownership of the technology and product delivery that underpins this flagship initiative. This is a pivotal role that bridges strategy and execution, ensuring every technical solution is robust, scalable, and aligned with FSCS’s mission to deliver outstanding customer outcomes.

As Technology Transformation Lead, you will steer the technical delivery of key programme workstreams, mobilising and guiding cross-functional squads to achieve measurable business results. You will oversee modern product management practices, iterative and data-driven delivery, and user-centred design. Working closely with senior leaders, programme managers, and third-party partners, you’ll oversee the full Software Development Lifecycle—driving the design, development, and integration of scalable, resilient technology solutions.

You will bring proven experience leading large-scale technology transformation programmes, with both technical and product ownership. A strong understanding of product management frameworks, technical delivery, and customer-focused design will be key, along with the ability to balance pace with technical excellence. Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills are essential. 

Candidate pack

My Ways Of Working Framework

Closing date: 11:59 Sunday 23rd of November 2025

Rajan Mirpuri: rajan.mirpuri@lhh.com or +44 7958 351135

Lisa Burton: lisa.burton@lhh.com or +44 7534 854 027

How to Apply

1. Upload your CV under "Please select one of the options below."
2. Complete the short mandatory fields on the next page.
3. Use "Add Attachments' to upload your Supporting Statement and any other documents.
4. Please ensure that the file name of your CV and supporting statement includes your full name.
5. Ensure both CV and Supporting Statement are uploaded before submitting your application.

Director of Highways, Parking & Transportation

London Borough of Newham

Salary: £117,963 - £136,101 pa

Lead a service that keeps Newham moving, balances commercial reality with sustainable ambition, and makes a visible difference to one of London’s most dynamic boroughs.

Newham is changing. With the new Corporate Director in post and major ambitions for transport, regeneration, and sustainability, this is a moment of real opportunity. But it’s also a time of challenge. That’s why we are looking for an exceptional leader to join us as Director of Highways, Parking & Transportation.

The role

This is a critical, high-profile position with responsibility for the full portfolio of highways, parking, and transport services. You will:

•        Provide strategic leadership to ensure financial sustainability and value for money, with parking income and capital investment central to the Council’s wider financial resilience.

•        Deliver visible progress on priorities including the Newham Moving programme, parking review, Healthy School Streets, and LTNs, ensuring community engagement and political navigation are at the heart of delivery.

•        Champion climate action through sustainable travel, air quality, and EV charging infrastructure.

•        Lead a skilled team and manage major contracts, ensuring safety, efficiency, and best value.

•        Represent Newham with partners including TfL, the GLA, developers, utilities, and communities.

The person

For this role, we are looking for proven experience of leading relevant services at a senior level. What matters most is your ability to provide strategic leadership, deliver financial sustainability, and build strong partnerships, including:

•        Lead strategically, connecting transport to wider priorities in regeneration, housing, health, and environment.

•        Bring strong commercial and financial acumen, able to manage large budgets, deliver savings, and identify innovative funding models

Operate with political awareness and confidence, building trust with Members and managing sensitive issues with openness.

•        Operate with political awareness and confidence, building trust with Members and managing sensitive issues with openness.

•        Engage residents and communities in a co- productive, transparent way, turning potentially divisive schemes into shared outcomes.

•        Model inclusive, values-led leadership, building a high-performing and motivated service.

This is an opportunity to make your mark in a borough that is bold, ambitious, and unafraid of change. For a confidential discussion, please contact our recruitment partners at Penna:

Kelly Ridley: on 07709 512415 or email: kelly.ridley@penna.com

Bruna Varante: on 07858 306725 or email: bruna.varante@penna.com

Rachael Morris MCIPD: on 07840 711217 or email: rachael.morris@penna.com

Closing date: 11:59pm 26/11/2025

Candidate Pack

How to Apply

1. Upload your CV under "Please select one of the options below."
2. Complete the short mandatory fields on the next page.
3. Use "Add Attachments' to upload your Supporting Statement and any other documents.
4. Please ensure that the file name of your CV and supporting statement includes your full name.
5. Ensure both CV and Supporting Statement are uploaded before submitting your application.

Head of Legal Services & Deputy Monitoring Officer

Salary: Up to £80,000

Location: Harlow Civic Centre

Contract: Permanent | Full-time

Harlow District Council is hiring

Are you a skilled lawyer and natural leader ready to make a lasting impact in local government in one of the most important areas in the country? If so, there couldn’t be a better time to join Harlow.

Why Harlow?

Harlow is on a bold journey to become the most forward-thinking and impactful council in the country. Harlow is one of the fastest-growing areas in the UK, with major investment and a revitalised town centre on the horizon. This is your chance to be part of a council that’s leading change, restoring pride, and shaping a better future for generations to come. This role is a pivotal role for someone of influence, who wants to make a real difference shaping and being an integral part of the new local government arrangements for the future or West Essex.

One of the original post-war New Towns, Harlow is poised yet again be the driving force transitioning one of the fastest growing areas in the country towards a bright future in a local government landscape that will see the current 15 Greater Essex authorities replaced by new

Unitary Authorities and Mayoral Combined Authority. Harlow Council is looking for an outstanding Head of Legal Services & Deputy Monitoring Officer who will support the Director of Legal and Governance to ensure that Harlow achieves its ambition to transform the council and secure its future as the modern, innovative anchor town at the heart of a prosperous West Essex.

The Role

• Lead our Legal Services, Land Charges, and Information Governance teams.
• Providing expert legal advice across the Council, including to the Leader, Cabinet, Full Council, Audit & Standards, and Scrutiny Committees.
• Overseeing the final stages of our land charges digitisation and land registry transfer process, using the opportunity to transform Harlow’s approach to information governance.
• Acting as Deputy Monitoring Officer, sharing key committee coverage with the Monitoring Officer.
• Providing strategic legal advice on innovative and effective governance. Experience of supervising contracts and property casework would be seen as a bonus.
• Supporting and mentoring a talented team to operate confidently in a business partner legal service delivery model that provides timely, enabling and pragmatic legal and strategy advice to our client services throughout a period of change and restructure.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with other public and private sector partners

·      Driving service improvement and contributing to corporate leadership across the Council.

·      Doing all of the above in a way which supports and guides Harlow through the LGR transition and develops and continues to position Harlow’s Legal Service as an exemplar for legal service provision in the new Unitary Authority.

What we’re looking for

We’re seeking a qualified solicitor or lawyer with:

• Strong leadership skills and a track record of developing high-performing teams.
• Political awareness, resilience, and the ability to build trusted relationships.

·      A broad understanding of local government law and governance.

• Experience advising committees and working with elected members.
• Ideally, you will have prior experience as a Deputy Monitoring Officer – but we welcome strong step-up candidates who can demonstrate relevant experience.

If you’re passionate about public service, thrive in a fast-paced environment and want to be part of a council that’s driving real change, we want to hear from you.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact:

Carol Coyle: carol.coyle@penna.com 07500 887849 

James Miller: james.miller@penna.com 07701 233159

Rachael Morris: Rachael.morris@penna.com 07840 711217

For further information please download the Candidate Briefing Pack.

Closing date: Sunday 23rd November 2025

Apply today and help shape the future of Harlow.

How to Apply

1. Upload your CV under “Please select one of the options below.”
2. Complete the short mandatory fields on the next page.
3. Use ‘Add Attachments’ to upload your Supporting Statement and any other documents.
4. Please ensure that the file name of your CV and supporting statement includes your full name.
5. Ensure both CV and Supporting Statement are uploaded before submitting your application.

JOB TITLE:                                     Specialist Planning Lawyer

SALARY:                                        JF15 - Pay Scale £72,268 with progression to £80,062

LGPS pension Employer Contribution 19.6 %

PERMANENT FULL TIME:           37 hours per week

LOCATION:                                   Stevenage with hybrid working

REPORTS TO:                                Assistant Chief Legal Officer

 TEAM:                                           Legal Services - Environment

DEPARTMENT:                             Resources

About Herts Legal

With more than 100 colleagues Herts Legal is one of the largest and most successful shared legal teams in local government and offers a complete legal service to clients across the County Council, District Councils and other public sector bodies.

Our lawyers are crucial to the County Council's continued success. We have high standards for our services and we are LEXCEL accredited.

Herts Legal provides a fantastic opportunity for ambitious, passionate and organised lawyers who want to join a supportive and flourishing public sector legal team.

Some attendance at client offices and Planning Committees is essential, but we offer flexible hybrid working and have recently moved to newly refurbished modern offices in Stevenage.

Our highly effective practice management team looks after the business processes enabling the lawyers to focus on the law. 

We are excited by the opportunities presented by Local Government Reorganisation and are working to ensure that Herts Legal will be at the centre of any new legal service established as a result.

The Role

The role is based in the Environment Team which comprises 6 lawyers specialising in Planning and environment law.

We are looking to develop and grow our Environment Law Team, which covers Hertfordshire’s planning, highways, environmental and rights of way work, and supports the wider growth and development agenda for the County and its Districts.

The Team provide legal support to client departments and District Councils on planning, highways and environmental matters, including major infrastructure and development projects.

You will manage a caseload, with the emphasis on income generation, including complex and high-profile matters, delivering high quality, timely, commercial and solution focused advice to Council officers, Cabinet, committees, and other council bodies. You will understand the commercial and legal implications surrounding the work, and the future delivery of services across Hertfordshire.

You will need extensive knowledge and experience of public sector planning work, including S106 agreements, highways agreements, rights of way, and attending and advising planning committees. You will be fully aware of changing legislation and case law, and its implications for local authority planning work.

You will help lead and manage the Team and work closely with the senior management team.

Criteria for the Role

Essential criteria:

Ø A qualified solicitor, barrister, or legal executive

Ø Extensive knowledge and experience of public sector planning law

Ø Management experience

Ø Attendance at Planning Committees

Desirable Criteria:

Ø Knowledge and experience of local government and public law

Ø Experience of working in local government

Ø A commercial mindset

Ø Initiative-taking, enthusiastic, and organised

Key Role Responsibilities

·      Manage your own case load of high profile and potentially complex matters

·      Support and encourage other team members to develop their knowledge and skills

·      Maintain and seek new business opportunities both internally and with other public bodies

·      Legal lead for major strategic projects on behalf of Herts Legal and its clients

·      Prepare and present training courses and seminars to Members, officers and others

·      Effective communication, risk management, and cost- effective use of resources

Person Specification:

·      Able to work independently on complex matters with multi-disciplinary teams

·      Diligent and pragmatic, with a flexible and commercial approach to problem solving

·      An excellent communicator at all levels

·      Ability to devise and lead strategically on complex or novel matters

·      Organised and able to lead and prioritise a heavy caseload

·      Committed to continual professional development, and developing skills and knowledge of additional legal disciplines relevant to the work of the Environment Law Team

·      Excellent legal drafting and negotiation skills

·      Understand working in a politically sensitive environment

Your Application

If you have the knowledge, experience and skills to make a success of this dynamic and exciting role at Herts Legal, we look forward to receiving your application and meeting you.

For a confidential conversation about this role, please contact Brian Gallagher via brian.gallagher@penna.com 

or 07716 098175.

How to Apply

1. Upload your CV under “Please select one of the options below.”
2. Complete the short mandatory fields on the next page.
3. Use ‘Add Attachments’ to upload your Supporting Statement and any other documents.
4. Please ensure that the file name of your CV and supporting statement includes your full name.
5. Ensure both CV and Supporting Statement are uploaded before submitting your application.

Rheolwr Ardal BCyflog – £67,792 - £74,360 (Lwfans Dyletswydd Hyblyg o 20% a Lwfans Dyletswydd Barhaus o 12%) + buddion rhagorol Lleoliad – Pencadlys y Gwasanaeth, Caerfyrddin

Mae Gwasanaeth Tân ac Achub Canolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru yn chwilio am Reolwr Ardal B ysbrydoledig a blaengar i ymuno â’n Tîm Arweinyddiaeth Weithredol. Mae hwn yn gyfle prin i chwarae rhan allweddol wrth lunio dyfodol un o Wasanaethau Tân ac Achub mwyaf uchel eu parch y DU. Fel Rheolwr Ardal, byddwch yn darparu arweinyddiaeth strategol ar draws eich portffolio, gan sicrhau bod ein pobl, ein hadnoddau a’n partneriaethau wedi’u halinio i gyflawni rhagoriaeth i’r cymunedau a wasanaethwn. Byddwch yn arweinydd gweladwy sy’n cael ei yrru gan werthoedd, yn gallu gweithredu ar y lefelau uchaf o orchymyn, tra hefyd yn gyrru arloesedd, cydweithio a gwelliant parhaus.

Rydym yn chwilio am arweinydd sydd:

•       Yn dod â hanes profedig o arweinyddiaeth strategol

•       Yn gallu dylanwadu ar ystod eang o randdeiliaid a phartneriaid a chydweithio â nhw

•       Wedi ymrwymo i gyflawni perfformiad uchel, diwylliant cynhwysol, a thrawsnewid gwasanaeth

•       Yn gallu arwain yn ystod digwyddiadau mawr a chyfrannu at fentrau cenedlaethol a rhanbarthol

•       Yn gallu ysbrydoli a grymuso timau i gyflawni yn ôl nodau uchelgeisiol

Byddwch yn chwarae rhan hanfodol wrth lunio a chyflawni strategaethau cyflwyno’r Gwasanaethau yn y dyfodol, gan sicrhau bod ein pobl yn cael eu cefnogi, bod ein cymunedau yn cael eu diogelu, a bod ein sefydliad yn parhau i esblygu i ymdopi â heriau sy’n dod i’r amlwg.

Dyma eich cyfle i arwain gydag uniondeb, gyrru newid ystyrlon, a chael effaith barhaol ar draws canolbarth a gorllewin Cymru.

Pecyn Ymgeiswyr, Hydref 2025

I gael gwybod mwy a sut i wneud cais, ewch i https://penna.com/jobs neu am drafodaeth anffurfiol am y rôl gyffrous hon, cysylltwch â chydweithiwr ein partner, Fizza Islam, ar Executive@LHH.com neu 0141 220 6460.

Rhaid cyflwyno ceisiadau erbyn hanner nos, nos Fercher 5 Tachwedd 2025.

Salary – £67,792 - £74,360 (20% Flexible Duty Allowance and 12% Continuous Duty Allowance) + excellent benefits 

Location – Service Headquarters, Carmarthen

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is seeking a forward-thinking and inspirational Area Manager B to join our Executive Leadership Team. This is a rare opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of one of the UK’s most respected Fire and Rescue Services.

As Area Manager, you will provide strategic leadership across your portfolio, ensuring our people, resources, and partnerships are aligned to deliver excellence for the communities we serve. You’ll be a visible and values-driven leader, capable of operating at the highest levels of command, while also driving innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

We are looking for a leader who:

•       Brings a proven track record of strategic leadership

•       Can influence and collaborate across a wide range of stakeholders and partners

•       Is committed to delivering high performance, inclusive culture, and service transformation

·        Has the ability to lead during major incidents and contribute to national and regional initiatives

·        Can inspire and empower teams to deliver against ambitious goals

You will play a vital role in shaping and delivering future Service delivery strategies, ensuring our people are supported, our communities are protected, and our organisation continues to evolve to meet emerging challenges.

This is your opportunity to lead with integrity, drive meaningful change, and make a lasting impact across mid and west Wales.

To find out more and how to apply please download the candidate pack below, or for an informal discussion about this exciting role, please contact our partner’s colleague Fizza Islam at Executive@LHH.com or on 0141 220 6460.

Candidate Briefing Pack

Closing date for applications: 11:59pm, Wednesday 5 November 2025

Up to £123,394

Leeds is a city that consistently exceeds expectations and contributes over and above to the wider UK economy. We continue to make our mark regionally, nationally and globally, powered by the broad range of talent and assets found in every corner of the city.

Our Leeds Ambitions set out a positive vision for the future of Leeds – one which recognises the amazing strengths and opportunities we have. Our economy is growing and continues to attract investment making Leeds a better place to do business and a great place to live. The partnerships which drive our efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of our population are as good as you will find anywhere in the country. And Leeds is once again leading the way in demonstrating how we can meaningfully tackle climate change, recently being one of only 119 global cities to receive the highest ‘A grade’ by the Carbon Disclosure Project.

To realise our ambitions we need a planning professional with the energy, confidence and experience to deliver at scale. This is a key senior role which will set the spatial requirements for the development and management of this core city within a large geography.

Leeds is a city committed to inclusive growth and development, so you will play a critical strategic role within the council. In this position you will bring strong leadership and be strategically and operationally responsible for the council’s planning functions and the delivery of agreed outcomes, targets and objectives as determined by our Organisational Plan.

You will be confident in working with key partners at local, regional and national level and be adept at working in collaboration with colleagues and partners to support the delivery of real change across the city.

Candidates need to demonstrate:

·     Experience of leading and managing the planning functions in a major public sector or private sector organisation ensuring the delivery and improvement of services that meet the needs of citizens and stakeholders.

·     Evidence of leading, shaping and influencing innovative and commercially astute practice to maximise opportunities while realising efficiencies.

·     Experience of developing and managing a transparent framework for compliance with planning legislation and policy requirements at national, regional and local levels.

·     Experience of representing an organisation on a range of planning related matters at regional and national level.

For further information go to https://leadingleeds.co.uk/ or contact our retained consultants at Penna: Pete John 07701 305617 or Ali Tasker 07514 728 114

Closing Date: 11:59pm, Sunday 9 November 2025.

How to Apply

1. Upload your CV under “Please select one of the options below.”
2. Complete the short mandatory fields on the next page.
3. Use ‘Add Attachments’ to upload your Supporting Statement and any other documents.
4. Please ensure that the file name of your CV and supporting statement includes your full name.
5. Ensure both CV and Supporting Statement are uploaded before submitting your application.

Are you ready to lead one of the UK’s most ambitious and high-performing children’s services?

Durham County Council is seeking an outstanding leader to join its corporate leadership team as Director of Children and Young People’s Services - a role that offers the opportunity to build on a legacy of excellence to drive forward innovation, inclusion, and impact.

Following a period of significant transformation, our Children’s Services have achieved an Ofsted rating of Outstanding, reflecting the strength of our leadership, our corporate approach, the quality of our practice, and our unwavering commitment to children, young people, and families across the county.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will lead a talented and stable senior management team across education, social care, early help, SEND, and youth services. You will be responsible for shaping strategic direction, ensuring high-quality service delivery, and championing the voice and rights of children and young people in everything we do.

This is a role for a visionary leader, someone who can inspire teams, influence partners, and deliver outcomes that change lives. You will work closely with schools, health services, voluntary organisations, and communities to ensure every child in County Durham has the opportunity to thrive.

We are proud of our achievements, but we are not standing still. Our ambition is to be a national leader in integrated children’s services, with a strong focus on prevention, inclusion, and co-production. You will play a key role in delivering our Council Plan priorities and supporting our administration’s commitment to fairness, opportunity, and community empowerment.

If you are passionate about making a difference and ready to lead at scale at one of the largest councils in the country, we would be delighted to hear from you.

To find out more, please contact our retained consultants at Penna: Nick Raper on 07715 690463, or Carol Coyle on 07500 887 849 for a confidential conversation, or visit https://durhamleadership.co.uk for further information.

Closing date: 11:59pm, Sunday 9 November 2025

How to Apply

1. Upload your CV under “Please select one of the options below.”
2. Complete the short mandatory fields on the next page.
3. Use ‘Add Attachments’ to upload your Supporting Statement and any other documents.
4. Please ensure that the file name of your CV and supporting statement includes your full name.
5. Ensure both CV and Supporting Statement are uploaded before submitting your application.

Salary: £64,611 - £71,133 (Grade J) + £Negotiable Market Supplement for an exceptional candidate + Car allowance of £3900 per annum

Location: Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent CT20 2QY / Hybrid

Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: Flexible Hours/Full Time

Hours: 37 hours per week

DBS Check: Yes - basic

Experience the extraordinary with a move to Folkestone & Hythe District Council (F&HDC).

Are you a qualified solicitor with a passion for public service and a track record of strategic legal leadership within local government? Folkestone & Hythe District Council is seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Legal Services to lead our legal team and act as Solicitor to the Council.

About the Role

This is a pivotal leadership position, providing expert legal advice across the Council, managing a high-performing legal team, and supporting governance as Deputy Monitoring Officer. You’ll play a key role in shaping legal strategy, ensuring compliance, and supporting major projects and legislative changes.

Key Responsibilities

·      Lead and manage the Legal Services team, ensuring high-quality legal support across all service areas.

·      Provide strategic legal advice on complex issues including procurement, contracts, planning, and governance.

·      Act as training principal for legal apprentices and trainees.

·      Attend and advise at Council, Cabinet and Committees as required.

·      Instruct external legal specialists and manage substantial budgets.

·      Support the Monitoring Officer in upholding standards of conduct and lawfulness.

·      Drive service improvements and contribute to corporate goals.

What We’re Looking For

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

·      Qualified Solicitor with 5+ years post-qualification experience.

·      Proven leadership in legal services, with expertise in at least three areas such as procurement, contracts, property, planning, or litigation.

·      Strong governance knowledge and ability to advise senior stakeholders.

·      Excellent communication, negotiation, and analytical skills.

·      Experience with legal software and systems (e.g., IKEN, Westlaw, Land Registry portal).

Why Join Us

In return, we are offering you a chance to thrive and further your career development with a range of regular management and other learning & development sessions whilst your role enables you to make a lasting impact on the Folkestone & Hythe District.

Folkestone & Hythe is a dynamic and innovative place to live, work and visit. Recognised by Best Companies as an outstanding organisation to work for, we have a focus on wellbeing and staff development. Our benefits include:

·      Flexible Working: Embrace a culture that supports agile and hybrid working arrangements.

·      Generous Leave: Enjoy up to 31 days of holiday plus bank holidays, a flexi-time scheme, birthday leave, and Christmas office closure.

·      Pension Scheme: Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

·      Family-Friendly Initiatives: Benefit from a range of family-friendly policies and support.

·      Health & Wellbeing: Participate in health and wellbeing initiatives, including an Employee Assistance Programme.

·      Additional Perks: Reimbursement of professional membership subscriptions, salary sacrifice schemes, corporate membership discounts, and free office parking.

We have a hybrid working approach with an expectation that you will work from the Civic Centre in Folkestone at least one day per week.

For further information please visit:

FHDC Website - Folkestone & Hythe District Council – Folkestone & Hythe District Council

FHDC Corporate Plan - Introduction | Corporate Plan | Folkestone & Hythe District Council

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 9th November

Interviews are due to be held on 27th November.

For more information please contact Andreas Efthymiou, on Andreas.Efthymiou@penna.com / D +44 (0) 7546 415 794

How to Apply

1. Upload your CV under “Please select one of the options below.”
2. Complete the short mandatory fields on the next page.
3. Use ‘Add Attachments’ to upload your Supporting Statement and any other documents.
4. Please ensure that the file name of your CV and supporting statement includes your full name.
5. Ensure both CV and Supporting Statement are uploaded before submitting your application.

You can download the full role profile here: Job Description

Salary: £135,406-£171,760

Thank you for your interest in this exciting and pivotal role at Cornwall Council as our next Chief Operating Officer and Section 151 Officer.

As one of the largest councils in the country, Cornwall Council has ambitious plans for the future, shaped by our natural resources and strong sense of place and community. We have an almost unique array of new opportunities for growth and development ranging from critical minerals, marine renewables and aerospace which together with our core industries have meant that Cornwall has benefitted from stronger growth in GVA than the UK average over the past 20 years. 

Whilst there are levels of vulnerability in some areas and a rapidly ageing population, we are proud to be an ambitious Council for our communities. We are constantly challenging and transforming our services to give the best service to our communities, encouraging innovation with a strong focus on digital solutions alongside building the homes that we need and driving growth through our investment portfolio and strong partnership structures.

A ‘Team Cornwall’ approach is central to how we work. We have a strong culture of partnership and innovation in Cornwall – whether it is working closely with our residents, elected Members, stakeholders or with Government to ensure Cornwall gains even greater devolved autonomy in line with the recognition of the Cornish as a protected national minority.

We are now seeking a Chief Operating Officer and Section 151 Officer who will help us build on these strengths – ensuring that we have the sustainable financial strategy, systems and culture needed to deliver our priorities. This is both a strategic and enabling leadership role: responsible for stewardship of the Council’s £1.5bn revenue budget and £1.9bn capital programme; for leading a diverse corporate services directorate of around 1,000 people; and for ensuring our resources, governance, and digital capability are fully aligned with our ambitions for Cornwall.

You will lead the Council’s organisational engine room – ensuring that our business support services fully enable the delivery of political priorities. That means translating strategy into action, defining and establishing the programmes and projects that will deliver our four-year Business Plan. It also means developing a high-performing team – bringing together newly-recruited individuals, to create a shared sense of purpose, and enable them to perform at pace.

Your focus will include driving productivity and effectiveness, reviewing services to ensure they are operating optimally, and addressing any bottlenecks that slow progress. You will also strengthen partnerships across sectors, ensuring that our services are easy to do business with and that we can work at pace with investors, developers and delivery partners. Through digital innovation, service redesign and a commercial mindset, you will ensure our organisation is continually learning, improving and delivering outstanding value for money.

This is an exciting opportunity for an existing COO seeking a fresh challenge at scale, or for a high performing finance leader motivated by the purpose of local government at its best.

In Cornwall, we proudly put our communities front and centre of everything that we do both for today and for tomorrow. Our work is guided by our priority outcomes underpinned by a focus on Our People, Our Planet and Our Pounds. The successful candidate will have the foresight, drive, energy and expertise as our Chief Operating Officer to embed our priority outcomes into the way the Council works, through citizen centred design and a relentless focus on securing value for money for the Cornwall Council taxpayer.  

I am so proud of this organisation, and I am seeking an exceptional candidate to share my passion for Cornwall and for making sure that Cornwall Council is a leading trailblazer local authority which can clearly demonstrate the benefits of being an established, mature, large unitary council.

Kate Kennally - Chief Executive, Cornwall Council

For further information about us and the role, please refer to the documents linked below:

·       Candidate Briefing Pack

·       About Cornwall Council

·       About Cornwall

For a confidential conversation about this role, please contact our retained consultant at Penna:

Andrew Tromans on 07805 226301 or email: andrew.tromans@penna.com

Closing Date: 11:59pm, 9^th November 2025

How to Apply

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