Executive Director: Climate Environment & Customer (Interim)
Temporary, Full Time
Competitive Day Rate (Inside IR35)
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Closing Date: 18th May 2025
Stretching from the coast to the capital, Essex is a county of opportunity, an economic powerhouse with stunning countryside and thriving urban areas. We are a forward-thinking council, determined to ensure that our residents and businesses make the most of the opportunities our county offers, especially as we move forward into the next phase of our history.
We are looking for an experienced Interim Executive Director Climate Environment & Customer Service (CECS), who will bring extensive professional experience in local government and deep professional expertise in the portfolios held within this key corporate leadership role. Using insight and expertise to provide advice at CLT to the Chief Executive, our Executive Directors work together to bring the organisation’s vision and strategy to life with Cabinet, partners and employees at all levels.
As Executive Director for CECS, you will inspire, lead, and engage your teams in the design and delivery of the new Mayoral Combined Authority as part of Essex’s commitment to devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). This work will evolve at pace over the next twelve months towards a Mayoral election in May 2026. Close working with partners, based on trust and collaborative work will be essential. Effective communication with key partners, including internal stakeholders, will be crucial to keep them informed of progress and changes and maintaining momentum to achieve critical organisational priorities during a period of significant change. ( devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR ).
This is a highly visible and demanding role that requires a leader who already has a strong professional reputation. You will be influential and resilient in working with residents, stakeholders and politicians, with a mature understanding of how to manage strategic partnerships. This senior role is at the heart of the council’s future organisational strategy and with an ambitious agenda on climate action and sustainable growth. Essex needs world-class and sustainable transport and waste infrastructure, which meets the needs of our communities.
The role is responsible for overseeing our climate action agenda and a range of diverse, highly political frontline operational services. These include our in-house waste service, a major supplier contract for highways, transportation, and our customer function. The customer function ensures engagement with residents from a universal services perspective and encompasses some of our most customer-facing regulated services.
As Executive Director will need to bring a strong commercial focus to the diverse range of functions within the scope of the role, with a solid background of operational experience. A seasoned and experienced local government professional, you will already have experience of significant corporate leadership across the professions within the remit of this post. Critically, you will have a proven track record of driving major transformation and change within a local government context.
Please note that Essex County Council has determined that the off-payroll working rules will apply to this assignment and where a worker elects to provide their services through an intermediary (such as a personal services company) then income tax and primary national insurance contributions will be deducted at source from any payments made to the intermediary.
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email Rebecca.segeth@essex.gov.uk
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR)) on our careers site
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
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