Chief Executive

Kirklees Metropolitan Council; Croydon; On-site; GBP 233,750 - 316,250; Full time

Job summary

Croydon Council is seeking a transformative Chief Executive to lead a major borough in London’s fastest-growing area. You will shape strategy, drive delivery, and oversee a programme of organisational improvement across services, governance and partnerships.

The role demands exceptional political acumen, strategic insight, and the ability to inspire confidence across Members, officers and external partners to deliver financially sustainable services and improved outcomes for residents.

Qualifications

• Proven senior leader with track record of transformation and turnaround in large, complex organisations.
• Political acumen and ability to inspire confidence at all levels.
• Experience building trusted relationships with Members, officers and partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead Croydon’s continued financial recovery and ensure long-term sustainability.
• Drive a step-change in performance, productivity and resident experience.
• Harness a high-performing, unified corporate leadership team.
• Strengthen partnerships across London and nationally, positioning Croydon as a confident and influential borough.
• Rebuild trust with residents and communities through openness, delivery and accountability.

Job description

Overview

Croydon: London’s largest borough. London’s most important leadership role.

Croydon is changing. We are a borough with immense assets: proud and vibrant communities, a dynamic economy, and the scale to shape London’s future and its place within it. But we are also honest about our challenges. Following an unprecedented financial crisis, we have been on a determined journey of recovery: stabilising finances; strengthening governance; and rebuilding trust with residents and communities.

Now, we are ready for the next phase, where you will lead Croydon into a new era of delivery and visible improvement.

We will not be defined just by recovery, but by renewal, aspiration and delivery, guided by a clear Business Plan and strong early momentum from our 100-day plan. Working in partnership with our Executive Mayor, you will translate a bold political mandate into lasting outcomes: financially sustainable services, improved quality of life for residents, stronger more resilient communities, and a Council that is confident, high-performing and trusted.

You will inherit firm foundations: improving inspection outcomes, a stabilised financial position, and a transformation programme already underway. However, there is much more to do. We will look to you to lead a whole-system transformation of how the Council works – reshaping services, driving cultural change, and building an organisation that consistently delivers at scale, making a visible difference across the borough.

Responsibilities

• Lead Croydon’s continued financial recovery and ensure long-term sustainability;
• Drive a step-change in performance, productivity and resident experience;
• Harness a high-performing, unified corporate leadership team;
• Strengthen partnerships across London and nationally, positioning Croydon as a confident and influential borough; and
• Rebuild trust with residents and communities through openness, delivery and accountability.

Requirements

We are looking for a proven Chief Executive or an exceptional senior leader who has led large, complex organisations through transformation and turnaround. You will bring political acumen, commercial insight, the ability to inspire confidence at every level, and experience of building strong and trusted relationships across Members, officers, and partners.

Most of all, you will share our belief that Croydon’s future can be stronger than its past. This is one of the most important leadership challenges in local government – and one of the most rewarding.

Contacts and Closing

For a confidential discussion, contact our search partner at GatenbySanderson: Frazer Thouard [[e-mail]] or Duncan Collins [[e-mail]]

Closing date: 4 September 2026

Company: Croydon Council

Salary: c£275,000

Location: Croydon, London (Greater)

Sector: Corporate Services

Sector: Corporate Management Team

Job Role: Chief Executive