Chief Executive Officer in Stroud)

Ad Warrior Ltd; Stroud; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Wotton-under-Edge Town Council is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to shape the Council's long‑term direction, lead transformation and oversee strategic planning, Town Plan refresh, and key projects including town centre vitality and asset management.

As the senior officer, you will provide clear governance, risk management and impartial advice, working with elected members and staff to deliver community outcomes. Closing date 24 September 2026; interviews in October.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in a Clerk role or leading services and organisational change.
• Strategic capability to shape priorities and guide transformation.
• Strong governance and financial grounding with risk and assurance.
• Experience building organisational culture during growth.
• Calm, clear leadership that aligns the workforce during change.
• Clerk experience and CiLCA are beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and governance across the council.
• Shape long-term direction and refresh the Town Plan.
• Lead key projects, risk management and financial stewardship.
• Collaborate with councillors, staff and stakeholders.

Skills

Clerk leadership experience

Strategic capability

Governance & financial grounding

Culture and change management

Calm, clear leadership

CiLCA beneficial

Education

CiLCA (cert in Local Council Admin)

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

To succeed, you will bring:

• 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 24 th September 2026

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