Strategic Implementation and Performance Director - Greater Essex Combined County Authority
External Partner
Temporary, Part Time (Maximum 12 Months - 0.6FTE)
Up to £1000 per day (Inside IR35)
Location: Countywide
Closing Date: 3rd December 2025
Overview
Greater Essex is entering a transformative period through devolution, aimed at simplifying governance, improving service delivery, and empowering communities. Under the proposed changes, powers and funding will be transferred from central government to a new Mayoral Combined County Authority, enabling more local control over key areas such as transport, housing, and economic development.
This role will play a critical part in ensuring the new Greater Essex Combined County Authority, one of the largest County Combined Authority, is set up effectively, with the robust governance, strategies, policies and frameworks required to meet statutory and legal obligations. They will establish strong foundations that enable the organisation to accelerate its strategic priorities at pace. To achieve this, postholders will need to build effective relationships and networks across central and local government, partners, businesses and residents, and bring the business, commercial and political acumen needed to translate strategy into meaningful action.
Purpose of the Role
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Turn strategy into operational excellence and effective delivery.
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Provide expert financial and commercial advice to the Interim Chief Executive, senior leader and the Mayor once appointed.
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Oversee organisational performance, corporate functions, and programme delivery.
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Strengthen systems, processes, and culture during Great Essex Combined County Authority establishment.
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Build partnerships and raise the profile of Greater Essex at a regional and national level, working across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors to drive inward investment, secure funding from government, and ensure value for money in all financial commitments.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic & Operational Leadership
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Lead operational delivery across Great Essex Combined County Authority programmes.
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Ensure alignment between mayoral priorities, strategy, and performance.
2. Organisational Performance & Delivery
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Oversee programme management, service delivery, and outcomes.
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Drive performance improvement and value-for-money.
3. Corporate Services Oversight
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Provide leadership across HR, Finance, Legal, ICT, Procurement, and Governance.
4. Partnerships & Engagement
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Build strong collaborative relationships with local authorities, government, and wider stakeholders.
5. Organisational Development & Culture
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Shape a high-performing, agile, inclusive culture.
6. Risk, Assurance & Improvement
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Lead corporate risk, assurance, compliance and continuous improvement.
Candidate Profile (Essentials)
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Senior operational leadership experience in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
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Strong track record in major programme delivery and organisational transformation.
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Experience leading corporate services.
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Excellent commercial, analytical, and decision-making capabilities.
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Resilient, collaborative, and able to lead through change and ambiguity.
*Please note: All role dimensions (budget, line reports, etc) will be established and subject to change during the set-up stage of the interim Combined County Authority
This role is being recruited on behalf of Southend-on-Sea City Council, Thurrock Council and Essex County Council. This appointment is being managed by Essex Shared Services. Should you have any enquiries or would like to request a confidential discussion please contact Samantha Myddelton on ( samantha.myddelton@essex.gov.uk 03330130098) or Sadie Orwell ( sadie.orwell@essex.gov.uk 0333 0322356).
If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process, please get in touch with Essex Shared Services at essexsharedservices@essex.gov.uk
As part of the application process, you will be required to submit a CV and supporting statement. Click ‘APPLY’ to begin your application
Closing date for applications: 3rd December 2025 at 23:59pm