Executive Director for Place

Brentwood Borough Council; Wokingham; Hybrid; GBP 134,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous Annual Leave

GP Helpline

Employee Assistance Programme

Free Eye Tests

Free Onsite Gym

Salary Sacrifice Schemes

Lifestyle Discounts

Move through Menopause Course

Sports & Social Group Activities

Learning & Development Opportunities

Employee Networks

Job summary

Wokingham Borough Council is seeking an Executive Director for Place to lead a strategic, outward-looking portfolio including planning, climate change, environment, highways and culture. The role requires delivering ambitious, integrated services that help communities thrive and attract investment.

The post focuses on securing partnerships, shaping places, and leading cross‑sector collaboration across Berkshire, reporting to the Chief Executive with a clear track record of senior leadership in

Job description

Employer: Wokingham Borough Council

Salary: £148,609 per annum, plus benefits

Location: Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End/Home Working

Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full Time

Hours: 37 hours per week.

DBS Check: No

Closing Date: 20/09/2026 at 23:00

Reference: EDP01

Be an inspirational place shaper for Wokingham. Creating new communities and developing existing communities through new housing, community infrastructure and regeneration. Working across the Council, with our external partners and our residents, help us shape and create new and vibrant communities.

As our Executive Director for Place, you will lead an outward-looking and forward-thinking place-shaping agenda. This is about far more than traditional operational service delivery: it is about strategically leading and shaping a broad and dynamic portfolio of services including planning, climate change; environment services, highways and transport, major projects, culture and economic development. Creating places for all, where people can thrive.

As an exceptional, experienced, strategic leader you will truly creating a sense of place ensuring residents, businesses and partners benefit from ambitious, connected, integrated and future-ready services. This includes leading the Council’s contribution to sub-regional and cross-sector working. Securing investment, strengthening partnerships across Berkshire and beyond, and promoting Wokingham as an attractive place to live, work, visit and invest.

Wokingham is an ambitious Borough, fast-growing in population, with a resilient economy, and a strong partnership network. Global businesses such as Microsoft, Oracle and Shinfield Studios, along with the University of Reading are within our place, meaning there are many and significant opportunities for partnership working and for someone who is passionate about place making and shaping.

We are looking for an experienced, resilient and visible senior leader who is able to create a genuine connection to the borough. Someone with a strong track record of operating at strategic level in a complex political environment, and who brings a modern business approach. Someone who can bring teams together behind a shared vision, building a cohesive directorate, and work across businesses, schools and communities . Someone who is inspirational, innovative and embraces change.

If you are passionate about place shaping and creating the conditions for communities and businesses to flourish, we want to hear from you.

Benefits

• Generous Annual Leave - 31-36 days per annum (depending on local government continuous service), plus Bank Holidays
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• GP Helpline - Available 7 days a week
• Employee Assistance Programme - Including a 24/7 Your Care Helpline
• Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines
• Free Onsite Gym - Located at Shute End Offices, Wokingham
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes - Including Car and Cycle to Work schemes
• Local & Lifestyle Discounts - Save on shopping, entertainment, dining out & more
• Move through Menopause Course
• Sports & Social Group Activities – Including running, football, cricket & more
• Learning & Development Opportunities
• Employee Networks
• And more!

Our Area

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. The borough has a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

Interview Date Schedule

Fireside Chats with Chief Executive, Susan Parsonage MBE - Monday 12th October 2026

Technical Interviews and Stakeholder Panels - Tuesday 13th to Thursday 15th October 2026

Final Member’s Panel - Friday 16th October 2026

AI In Applications

We recognise that candidates may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support the preparation of their job applications. When used appropriately, AI can be a helpful aid in structuring responses, checking clarity, and improving presentation.

However, applications must reflect your own skills, experience and understanding. If an application appears to rely excessively on AI-generated content, it may not meet the required standard and could be rejected.

We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Further information on this vacancy

• Executive Director for Place Job Description and Person Spec

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.