Deputy Chief Executive

British Army; Dedham; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A public sector organization in East Anglia is seeking a Chief of Staff to lead support for the Army Cadet Force. The role involves managing regional staff, building relationships with military organizations, and contributing to policy development. The ideal candidate will have senior management training and experience, with strong leadership and communication skills. A full driving license is required due to regional travel.

Qualifications

• Effective leader with good emotional intelligence.
• Ability to engage with senior stakeholders.
• Team player and self-starter.
• Strong analytical and planning capabilities.
• Understanding of military culture.

Responsibilities

• Manage staff to deliver support to ACF.
• Build inter-service relationships.
• Liaise with military organizations.
• Generate clear policy papers.
• Deputise for Chief Exec as required.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

IT skills

Flexibility and adaptability

Education

Senior leadership and management training

Job description

East Anglia RFCA is a public sector organisation with Crown status, set up by statute to be an enduring custodian for the wellbeing of the Reserves and Cadets. We maintain the volunteer estate of some 200 sites; we build long-term relationships with employers and the civic community in order to promote the Armed Forces Covenant; and we provide the Professional Support Staff for the Army Cadet Force.

The Role:

• Manage staff based around the region to deliver support to ACF as per Service Level Agreement.
• Build positive inter-service relationships between the single service cadet forces and with other youth organisations in the region.
• Liaise closely with Joint Military Command and other military organisations to understand then deliver support to Reserves and Cadets.
• As an experienced staff officer, have input into and generate clear and concise policy papers as required.
• Co-ordinate routine business within Association HQ.
• Deputise for Chief Exec as required.

The Person:

• An effective leader with good emotional intelligence, integrity, interpersonal and communication skills.
• The ability to engage with senior people across corporate, public, political and military sectors.
• A team player and a self-starter; articulate, honest, reliable, committed and with a high degree of flexibility and adaptability.
• Ability to analyse, plan and deliver to time and to budget. Present conclusions with confidence.
• Strong IT skills to use the appropriate tools including internet research.
• Understand the military culture and ethos.

We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic individual to succeed our much valued Deputy Chief Executive. We are specifically looking for someone who wants to make a positive difference to MOD sponsored Cadets & Youth development within East Anglia and who can also play a pivotal role within East Anglia RFCA as its Chief of Staff.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced senior manager who has attended senior leadership and management training such as the Armed Forces or Police staff colleges but we are open to applications from candidates who have experience in other relevant senior management positions in the public or commercial sector who are committed to the principles of the RFCA and achieving its mandated outputs.

The position is based at our Headquarters in Chelmsford but the Area of Responsibility covers the whole of East Anglia so travel within the region and a full driving licence is required.

The Deputy champions the cadets and youth cause.

The closing date is 1200hrs Monday 03 November 2025. Interviews will be held November/ December, with a view for the successful candidate to start in early 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.