Chief Executive Officer

Wotton-under-Edge; Stroud; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Wotton-under-Edge Town Council seeks a Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation through growth, modernisation and governance enhancements. You will align elected members' priorities, shape the long-term direction and drive key projects across town centre vitality, visitor services and asset management.

This role requires substantial experience in regulated public-facing service delivery, strong financial governance, and calm, clear leadership.

Qualifications

• Clerk experience in a regulated, public-facing environment.
• Strategic capability to shape priorities and guide transformation.
• Strong governance and financial grounding with risk and assurance.
• Experience building organisational culture as the organisation grows.
• Calm, clear leadership to keep workforce aligned during change.

Responsibilities

• Lead transformation and governance improvements for the Council.
• Shape long-term direction and align priorities with elected members.
• Drive key projects: town centre vitality, tourism development, asset management.
• Provide impartial strategic advice and robust risk management.

Skills

Clerk experience

Leadership of services

Governance & compliance

Strategic transformation

Public sector experience

Education

CiLCA Certificate

Job description

Chief Executive Officer

Location: Wotton-under-Edge Town Council, The Civic Centre, 2 Gloucester Street, Wotton-under Edge, GL12 7DN

Salary: £49,817 - £54,143 per annum (SCP 37-41)

Contract: Permanent, 37 hours per week with some weekends and evening for meetings

Leading Wotton-under-Edge into its next chapter.

Wotton‑under‑Edge is entering a period of significant organisational growth. As responsibilities evolve, expectations rise and the wider Gloucestershire landscape shifts, the Council is expanding its capacity, strengthening its governance and modernising how it works. We are building a larger, more resilient team and we are looking for a Chief Executive Officer who can lead this transformation with clarity, confidence and ambition.

About the role

This is a defining moment for the organisation. The Council is refreshing its Town Plan, strengthening its strategic planning capability and preparing for the wider implications of Local Government Reorganisation. As Chief Executive Officer (Town Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer), you will shape the Council's long‑term direction, bringing together the perspectives of newly elected councillors and aligning emerging priorities, drive progress on key projects and ensure the organisation is ready for future responsibilities. You will lead key place‑based work including town centre vitality, tourism development, youth services and the next phase of the Town Hall and Civic Centre asset management programme.

As the Council's senior officer, you will provide clear strategic leadership, ensuring strong governance, organisational alignment and confident decision‑making. You will help the Council navigate a changing operating environment with stability and professionalism, offering impartial advice, clarity of purpose and a forward‑looking approach to risk, opportunity and transformation.

About you

• Substantial experience in a Clerk role or in leading services and organisational change within a regulated, public‑facing environment.
• Strategic capability to shape priorities, advise elected members and guide transformation and delivery.
• Strong governance and financial grounding, with confidence in compliance, risk and organisational assurance.
• Experience building organisational culture and embedding new and existing staff as the organisation grows.
• Calm, clear leadership that keeps the workforce aligned, resilient and focused as responsibilities evolve.

Clerk experience and CiLCA (Certificate in Local Council Administration) are beneficial, but your strategic vision, governance insight and leadership approach are what will define your success in this role.

If you bring a strong public‑service ethos and a commitment to community outcomes, this is a defining moment to lead Wotton‑under‑Edge into its next chapter.

Closing date: 5pm, Thursday 24th September 2026

Interviews: Interviews take place in person week commencing 12th October