Chief Executive Officer

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA); South Tyneside; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK Government Agency is seeking a Chief Executive to lead the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). The role includes guiding strategic transformation and maintaining public trust while overseeing a £40 million budget and a team of 500 staff. Ideal candidates will possess strong leadership skills, experience in large organizations, and the ability to drive change in a high-profile environment with accountability for governance and operational excellence.

Benefits

Defined Benefit Pension

30 days annual leave

Discretionary performance pay

Employee discounts

Health plans

Qualifications

• Proven ability to set a clear vision and strategic direction.
• Extensive senior leadership experience delivering operational excellence.
• Experience driving transformation through digital innovation.

Responsibilities

• Lead a geographically dispersed workforce of around 500 staff.
• Maintain delivery of statutory functions while implementing new policies.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with government and public.

Skills

Vision and strategic direction

Senior leadership experience

Change management

Relationship-building

Budget management

Corporate governance

Personal resilience

Job description

Overview

The MMO operates at the heart of decisions across licensing offshore wind farms, regulating marine infrastructure, sustainable fisheries, and responding to environmental emergencies. As a cross-cutting body delivering for multiple government departments, the MMO shapes the future of marine management. The next Chief Executive will guide this vital work through a period of rapid geopolitical change, supporting the UK\'s clean energy ambitions and sustainable economic growth.

This is a defining moment for the MMO. The organisation is poised for transformation, and the CEO will lead strategic change, build high-performing teams, and strengthen relationships across government and industry. The role requires driving innovation, digital capability, and operational excellence, with the authority to shape the organisation\'s future.

Role and reporting

As Chief Executive of the MMO, you will report to the Chair and work closely with them to provide strong, visible leadership. Although not a statutory member of the MMO Board, you will act as an Executive member in practice, contributing to Board discussions and collective decision-making. You will hold overall responsibility for executive leadership, strategic direction, and operational performance, and as Accounting Officer you will be accountable to both the MMO Board and the Principal Accounting Officer at Defra, upholding high standards of probity, governance, and integrity. Your leadership will maintain public trust and deliver value for money across MMO activities.

You will work with the Board to shape the organisation for the future, ensuring it can deliver its statutory duties while advancing the ambition to become a world-class marine regulator. This includes driving progress on government priorities such as the Clean Energy Mission, Environmental Improvement Plan, and the UK\'s 30-by-30 biodiversity commitment. You will lead through change, fostering continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Lead a geographically dispersed workforce of around 500 staff and manage an annual budget of approximately £40 million.
• Maintain delivery of statutory functions while implementing new marine and fisheries policies and adapting to evolving regulatory demands.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with Defra, other government departments, public bodies, industry partners, and the public; communicate MMO\'s impact clearly.
• Foster a collaborative relationship with the MMO Board and drive strategic change, digital capability, and operational excellence.

Qualifications and criteria

• Proven ability to set a clear vision and strategic direction, anticipate and mitigate significant risks, and communicate effectively at senior levels.
• Extensive senior leadership experience in a multidisciplinary organisation with a track record of delivering operational excellence, inclusive culture, and high-performance delivery teams.
• Change management experience, with the ability to drive transformation through digital innovation, workforce development, and robust governance.
• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills to engage senior stakeholders across government and beyond.
• Experience managing and delivering against substantial budgets while modernising services and capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively with a Board, with strong corporate governance principles and sound judgement.
• Personal resilience to operate in a high-profile, scrutinised environment.

Benefits and remuneration

Salary: £120,000 with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributing £34,764 towards Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension. Leave: 30 days annual leave plus additional leave options, 8 public holidays per year, and 2.5 privilege days. Performance pay: discretionary non-consolidated payments up to £17,500.

Other benefits include Civil Service pension arrangements, salary sacrifice schemes (e.g., bicycles), employee discounts, health plans, professional subscriptions, employee assistance programme, and commitments to equality, diversity and inclusion.

How to apply and process

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as employment agency advisor to the MMO. Applications include a covering statement (no more than two sides of A4) explaining interest and suitability, with reference to the person specification. The candidate information pack contains the criteria. Equal opportunities monitoring information is requested as part of the process. The MMO is a Disability Confident Committed Employer; applicants with disabilities who meet the essential requirements are guaranteed interviews.

Selection process overview (dates indicative):

• Closing date: midday, Wednesday 22 October 2025.
• Longlist: week of 29 October 2025.
• Informal interviews with Saxton Bampfylde for longlisted candidates.
• Shortlist: week of 3 November 2025.
• Sessions anticipated between 10 November and 5 December 2025, including an Executive Assessment, a Colleague Engagement Panel, and a formal interview with a presentation assessed against the Civil Service Competency Framework (Level 6).

Reasonable adjustments are available on request. For disability adjustments or hard-copy formats, contact [e-mail]. Feedback provided only if you attend an interview or assessment. Security checks are required for successful candidates, including baseline personnel security standard checks and nationality eligibility details.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

The Civil Service promotes equal opportunities and diversity. The MMO is committed to creating an inclusive environment; discrimination, harassment, bullying, and prejudice will not be tolerated.