Chief Executive & Head of Paid Service

Kirklees Metropolitan Council; Hessle; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority seeks a visionary Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service to lead a newly empowered regional organisation. Working with the Mayor, Executive Board and partners, you will translate strategy into delivery and value for residents, businesses and communities across Hull and East Yorkshire.

This is a rare opportunity to shape a devolved authority, drive investment and growth, and build a high-performing team with governance and accountability at its core.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience at executive or board level.
• Proven track record in transformation, growth or major programmes.
• Exceptional commercial and financial acumen.
• Experience managing large investment programmes and complex portfolios.
• Ability to engage with Boards, elected members and senior decision-makers.
• Strong relationship-building, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Commitment to governance, accountability and public value.
• Experience leading organisations through growth, complexity and change.

Responsibilities

• Translate the Mayor’s vision into clear strategies and deliverable outcomes.
• Drive economic growth, regeneration and infrastructure investment.
• Build an agile, accountable organisation focused on delivery.
• Develop partnerships across government, business and communities.
• Ensure governance, financial stewardship and transparency.
• Represent Hull and East Yorkshire at regional, national and international levels.
• Establish a high-performing organisation with strong leadership and systems.

Job description

Chief Executive & Head of Paid Service

Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority

Location: Hull Salary: £150,000 – £170,000

Contract: Permanent

Shape the Future of Hull and East Yorkshire

Hull and East Yorkshire is entering an exciting new chapter.We are building a Combined Authority with the ambition, influence and capability to make a lasting difference to our economy, our places and the lives of the people who live and work here.We are now seeking an exceptional Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service to help turn that ambition into reality.This is more than leading an established organisation. It is a rare opportunity to shape and build one.Working closely with the Mayor, Executive Board and our partners, you will establish a high-performing organisation, create a culture of excellence and ensure our ambitions are translated into visible, measurable outcomes for residents, businesses and communities across Hull and East Yorkshire.

About HEYCA

The Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (HEYCA) was established through the region’s devolution agreement, providing unprecedented opportunities to shape the future of our area. As a strategic authority, HEYCA is responsible for driving economic growth, skills development, transport improvements, investment and regeneration across the region. Working in partnership with local authorities, businesses, education providers, government departments and community organisations, we are committed to creating sustainable growth and increasing opportunity for everyone who lives and works here Hull and East Yorkshire is a region with significant strengths and enormous potential. From our world-leading renewable energy sector and major ports to advanced manufacturing, logistics, digital innovation and a growing visitor economy, we are uniquely positioned to contribute to national growth while delivering local prosperity. As a developing organisation, HEYCA offers a truly unique opportunity to help shape both the future of the region and the organisation itself.

About the Role

As Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service, you will be the Combined Authority’s most senior officer and principal adviser to the Mayor and Executive Board. You will provide strategic and organisational leadership, building the partnerships, investment environment and delivery capability needed to drive the region forward.

• Your focus will include: Translating the Mayor’s vision and the Combined Authority’s ambitions into clear strategies, investment priorities and deliverable outcomes.


• Driving economic growth, regeneration, infrastructure investment and place-based development across Hull and East Yorkshire.


• Building an organisation that is agile, accountable, commercially aware and focused on delivery.


• Developing strong relationships with Government and ensuring Hull and East Yorkshire is influential within the national devolution agenda.


• Creating effective partnerships with businesses, investors, local authorities, education providers and communities.


• Ensuring programmes and investments deliver measurable impact, value for money and lasting benefits.


• Establishing a high-performing organisation with strong leadership, effective systems and a clear sense of purpose.


• Maintaining the highest standards of governance, financial stewardship, transparency and accountability.


• Representing Hull and East Yorkshire confidently and credibly at regional, national and international levels.

What We’re Looking For

We are interested in leaders who have operated successfully within complex, high-profile environments and who understand how to translate strategy into successful delivery. Your career does not need to have followed a traditional local government pathway. You may currently be a Chief Executive, Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, Executive Director or senior leader operating within the public, private or regulated sectors.Your experience could come from areas such as infrastructure, transport, investment, regeneration, property, development, energy, utilities, technology or another complex organisation operating across multiple stakeholders and competing priorities. What matters most is the leadership, experience and perspective you bring.

• You will be able to demonstrate:Significant leadership experience at executive or board level.


• A strong track record of delivering transformation, growth or major programmes.


• Exceptional commercial and financial acumen.


• Experience of managing significant investment programmes, resources or complex portfolios.


• The ability to work effectively with Boards, elected members, senior stakeholders and key decision-makers.


• Outstanding relationship‑building, influencing and negotiation skills.


• Experience of developing partnerships across organisational and sector boundaries.


• The judgement, resilience and political awareness required to operate successfully within a high‑profile environment.


• Experience of leading organisations through growth, complexity and change.


• A strong commitment to governance, accountability and public value.

You will combine strategic thinking with a strong delivery mindset. We are looking for someone who is equally comfortable engaging with Government, investors, businesses, communities and employees. Someone who can see the bigger picture while maintaining a relentless focus on delivery and outcomes.

Why Hull and East Yorkshire

Hull and East Yorkshire is a region with exceptional potential and growing national significance. Our area combines a proud industrial heritage with major opportunities across clean energy, advanced manufacturing, ports and logistics, housing, infrastructure, regeneration, digital innovation and skills development.Through devolution, Hull and East Yorkshire has secured significant long‑term funding and powers that will enable local decision‑making, unlock investment and accelerate economic growth.

Few leadership opportunities offer the chance to shape both a new organisation and the future trajectory of an entire region.

As Chief Executive, you will have the opportunity to influence how devolution is delivered locally, strengthen the region’s voice nationally and create the conditions for sustainable growth and prosperity for decades to come.This is a role for someone who wants to make a difference on a regional and national scale.

Your Impact

Success in this role will not simply be measured by strategies developed or organisational structures established.

• It will be seen in:Investment secured.


• Infrastructure delivered.


• Economic growth accelerated.


• Stronger regional and national partnerships.


• New opportunities created for residents and businesses.


• Improved outcomes for communities across Hull and East Yorkshire.

This is one of the most significant public leadership appointments currently available in Northern England.

If you are an ambitious and visionary leader with the ability to build organisations, influence policy, secure investment and deliver transformational change, we would welcome your application.

Company: Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority

Salary: £150,000 – £170,000

Location: Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire

Sector: Corporate Services

Sector: Corporate Management Team

Job Role: Chief Executive