Executive Director for Place

Wokingham-Borough-Council; Wokingham; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Leave 31-36 days

GP Helpline

Employee Assistance Programme

Free Onsite Gym

Salary Sacrifice Schemes

Local & Lifestyle Discounts

Move through Menopause Course

Sports & Social Group Activities

And more!

Job summary

Wokingham Borough Council is seeking an Executive Director for Place to lead a forward-thinking place-shaping agenda and a broad portfolio including planning, climate change, environment services, highways, major projects, culture and economic development.

You will drive investment, partnerships and a connected council approach to create thriving places for residents, businesses and visitors, with a modern, strategic leadership style.

Qualifications

• Strategic leadership at a senior level in a complex political environment.
• Experience in shaping a broad portfolio including planning, climate change, environment services, highways and transport, major projects, culture and economic development.
• Ability to secure investment and build partnerships across Berkshire and beyond.

Responsibilities

• Lead an outward‑looking place‑shaping agenda across the Council and partners.
• Create a cohesive directorate and lead cross‑functional teams to deliver place-based outcomes.
• Support investment, partnerships, and cross‑sector collaboration to benefit residents and businesses.

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 create 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.

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

• Generous Annual Leave - 31-36 days per annum (depending on local government continuous service), plus Bank Holidays
• GP Helpline- Available 7 days a week
• Employee Assistance Programme- Including a 24/7Your CareHelpline
• Free Onsite Gym- Located at Shute End Offices, Wokingham
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes- IncludingCarandCycle 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
• 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.

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.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to relevant employment checks.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.