Chief Operating Officer and Section 151 Officer

Cornwall Council; England; On-site; GBP 135,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading local authority in the UK is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to shape strategic vision and lead transformation across various services. This role demands a collaborative leader with strong political and financial expertise, committed to delivering sustainable growth and community impact. The ideal candidate will thrive in complex environments, ensuring that the organisation meets its ambitious goals. Applications are welcomed from all backgrounds, contributing to an inclusive workplace.

Benefits

Disability Confident Employer

Fertility Friendly Employer

Inclusive workplace culture

Qualifications

• Experience in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Track record of delivery in leadership roles.
• Motivated by purpose and inspired by community impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead transformation across the Council.
• Ensure resources and culture deliver strategic priorities.
• Engage Members, partners, and communities.

Skills

Strategic vision

Political acumen

Financial expertise

Collaboration

Leadership in multi-stakeholder settings

Job description

Chief Operating Officer and Section 151 Officer

Salary: £135,406-£171,760

Location: Cornwall (headquartered in Truro)

Shape the future of one of the UK’s most ambitious and distinctive places.

Cornwall is a place of extraordinary potential – rich in natural assets, powered by innovation, and defined by strong, connected communities. As one of the largest and most complex unitary authorities in the country, we serve over half a million residents and manage a revenue budget of more than £1.5bn and a capital investment programme exceeding £1.9bn.

We’re proud of our strong foundations – sound governance, motivated people, and a track record of delivery. But we’re also ambitious for what’s next. Guided by our mission – working with communities for a carbon neutral Cornwall, where everyone can start well, live well and age well – we’re driving forward a bold agenda for sustainable growth, digital transformation, and inclusive prosperity.

We’re now seeking an outstanding leader to join our Chief Executive and Corporate Leadership Team as Chief Operating Officer and Section 151 Officer – a career-defining role at the heart of one of the UK’s most exciting public sector organisations.

You’ll bring strategic vision, political acumen and financial expertise, ensuring we have the systems, resources and culture to deliver our priorities and FAIR values (Fairness, Ambition, Inclusion and Respect).

This is a strategic and enabling leadership role, at the heart of the Council’s organisational engine room – ensuring that our customer and corporate services fully enable the delivery of political priorities. With accountability for a wide-ranging directorate – spanning Finance, Legal, Digital, HR, Strategy and Customer Services amongst others – you will translate strategy into action, leading transformation across the Council, embedding our People-Powered, Digitally-Enabled operating model, and driving sustainable services and great value for money for our residents.

We’re looking for a collaborative, forward-thinking leader with a strong record of delivery in complex, multi-stakeholder environments – whether from local government or other comparable sectors. You’ll be equally comfortable operating at pace, shaping corporate strategy, and engaging Members, partners and communities to achieve shared outcomes for Cornwall.

If you’re motivated by purpose, inspired by Cornwall, and ready to make a lasting impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Contact partners at Penna

• Andy Tromans | [e-mail] | 07805 226 301
• Kelly Ridley | [e-mail] | 07709 512 415

Closing date: Sunday 9 November, 2025.

Cornwall Council is a Disability Confident and Fertility Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, and are committed to creating an inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve.