Chief Executive Officer

Newton Abbot Town Council; Highweek; On-site; GBP 74,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Local Government Pension Scheme

25 days annual leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Professional development

Supportive team

Job summary

Newton Abbot Town Council is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to provide high‑impact leadership as the Council’s Proper Officer and strategic lead, guiding an officer team, supporting 18 councillors, and delivering services, assets, and cultural programmes.

You will work across public spaces, heritage, events and partnerships with Teignbridge and Devon, build organisational capacity, and prepare the council for future local government changes, ensuring visible, valued leadership across the town.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership with governance and financial oversight experience.
• Ability to navigate political environments and build trust with partners, staff and residents.
• Calm, collaborative leadership style with good judgement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Council as Proper Officer and strategic leader, guiding an officer team and supporting 18 councillors.
• Oversee services, assets, culture programmes and civic life.
• Represent Newton Abbot within the evolving local government landscape.

Job description

Chief Executive Officer

Location: Newton Abbot, TQ12 1JQ

Salary: £74,454 – £89,081 (SCP 55–62) + Local Government Pension Scheme

Vacancy Type: Permanent, 37 hours per week (with evening and weekend working)

Closing date: 5pm, Tuesday 29th September 2026

Interview date: In person week commencing 12th October 2026 (12th and 14th)

A town with momentum — and a leadership role with real influence.

Newton Abbot is a place with energy, identity and ambition. A historic market town with a proud civic tradition, a lively events programme and major regeneration underway. With new councillors joining in 2027, assets transferring from the District Council and wider changes across Devon, this is a rare chance to help shape a town’s future at a defining moment.

About the role

This is a high‑impact leadership role at the heart of a community that values its council. You’ll be the Council’s Proper Officer, but also its strategic leader, the person who helps Newton Abbot navigate change, strengthen partnerships and turn ambition into outcomes. You will lead a committed officer team, support 18 councillors, and steer an organisation that delivers services, manages assets, runs cultural programmes, supports events and plays a visible role in civic life.

You’ll work across everything that makes a town feel alive: public spaces, heritage and the museum, events, cultural identity, community organisations and relationships with Teignbridge, Devon and the voluntary sector.

And as the Council takes on new responsibilities and prepares for wider changes in local government, you’ll play a central role in building organisational capacity — strengthening systems, developing staff and ensuring the organisation is ready for the future.

You’ll represent Newton Abbot confidently within the evolving local government landscape, including the Local Government Review and future Unitary arrangements. This is a role with breadth, influence and visibility, one where your leadership will be felt across the town.

About you

You’ll have experience in senior leadership, governance, and financial oversight of a significant budget, bringing the confidence to steward public funds responsibly while building the organisational capacity needed for an ambitious council. You’ll be comfortable navigating political environments and building trust with partners, staff and residents.

You’ll bring a leadership style that is calm, collaborative and grounded in good judgement — someone who can advise councillors with clarity and balance, motivate a small team, and strengthen systems as the Council takes on new responsibilities.

If you’re motivated by improving outcomes for residents and want a role where your leadership is visible and valued, this is the right place.

What do we offer

• Competitive salary: £74,454 – £89,081 (SCP 55–62)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• 25 days annual leave (rising to 28 after five years)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Support for professional development
• A welcoming, committed team and a community that values its council