Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Ad Warrior Ltd; Stroud; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 44,000; Part time

Job summary

Wotton-under-Edge Town Council is seeking a Deputy Chief Executive Officer to join the senior management team and lead governance, strategic planning and organisational growth.

You will provide senior support, drive governance and democratic processes, oversee financial administration and reporting, and help build capability across staff and councils.

This part-time role requires strong budget management, stakeholder engagement and change leadership, with evening or weekend attendance as needed.

Qualifications

• Substantial governance leadership experience in a public sector or regulated environment.
• Proven budget management and financial administration skills.
• Ability to build high‑performing teams by developing capability and nurturing staff.
• Understanding of governance frameworks and formal decision‑making processes.
• Project management capability to oversee coordination and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead governance and democratic processes across the Council.
• Provide senior support to the Chief Officer and lead organisational development activities.
• Oversee financial administration, reporting, and controls to ensure robustness.
• Support planning, budgeting, and financial governance in a growing organisation.
• Engage with councillors, staff, partners and the community to deliver outcomes.

Skills

Governance leadership

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Change management

Job description

Deputy Chief Executive Officer

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

Salary: £41,117 - £44,253 per annum pro rata (SCP 29 - 32)

Contract: Permanent, Part-Time. 24 hours per week with some weekends and evening for meetings and other events

Supporting WottonunderEdge through its next phase of growth.

WottonunderEdge is entering a period of significant organisational growth. As responsibilities evolve, expectations rise and the wider Gloucestershire landscape shifts, the Council is strengthening its governance, improving how it works and investing in the capability needed for the future. We are looking for a Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Deputy Town Clerk) to join our senior management team and help lead this next phase of development.

About the role

This is an exciting time to join. The Council is refreshing its Town Plan, strengthening its strategic planning capability and preparing for the wider implications of Local Government Reorganisation. As Deputy Chief Executive you will provide senior support across the organisation, playing a key role in how the Council prepares for new responsibilities and how this broader workforce operates. You will lead governance and democratic processes, support organisational development and work closely with the Chief Officer in managing financial administration and operational finance to ensure systems, controls and reporting remain robust.

About you

To succeed in this role, you will bring:

• Substantial experience in a governancefocused or operational leadership role, ideally within a regulated or publicfacing environment.
• Experience in budget management and financial administration
• Proven ability in building highperforming teams by developing capability, nurturing potential and enabling staff to deliver confidently.
• An understanding of governance frameworks and the ability to prepare for and facilitate formal decision-making meetings
• Project management capability to oversee project coordination and manage competing priorities.
• Effective stakeholder management across councillors, staff, partners and the community.
• Experience supporting organisational change or contributing to improvement and development initiatives.

You will be a trusted adviser, a steady presence and a key contributor to the Council's future direction. Your work will help ensure councillors have the insight they need, new and existing staff are supported as the organisation grows, and the Council remains aligned and confident as responsibilities evolve, all while delivering the best outcomes for WottonunderEdge.

If you are motivated by public service, confident in governancefocused environments and keen to help the council grow into its next chapter, this role offers a meaningful opportunity to make an impact.

Closing date: 5pm, Thursday 24th September

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