Jobs

Shape the Future of Essex. Drive climate action. Deliver for our communities.

Essex is on the government’s Priority Programme for Local Government Reform, one of the most ambitious and complex reform programmes in the UK. At the heart of this radical transformation is a bold vision: to reshape local government and public service delivery across Greater Essex including the creation of a Mayoral Combined Authority. By 2028 there will be the reorganisation of the current two-tier system of fifteen Councils into fewer new unitary councils.

This is a rare opportunity for Essex County Council and our partners to co-create a new model of local government. One that is rooted in neighbourhood, integrates key services, offers greater choice to communities, and is built on collaboration with partners including Health, Police, and Fire services. 

Within this context of transformation, Essex County Council is seeking a visionary, delivery-focused, and resilient leader to take on a senior role at the heart of our organisational strategy. With an ambitious agenda on highways, environment, waste, customer and sustainable growth, Essex will need world-class infrastructure that meets the needs of our communities and supports a greener future.

The Role

Reporting to the Chief Executive and working closely with other Executive Directors, together, you will act as an effective communicator and strong team player to formulate corporate policy objectives and ensure the effective corporate management of ECC.

This highly visible and demanding position will be central to our ambitious agenda for climate action and sustainable growth, ensuring world-class transport and waste infrastructure that meets community needs. You will lead a diverse portfolio of services, including:

• Highways & Transportation – managing significant supplier contracts and ensuring world-class transport solutions.
• Climate Action Strategy – driving forward our commitment to sustainability and net zero.
• Waste Services – overseeing our in-house operations and shaping future infrastructure.
• Customer Services – delivering universal and regulated services that put residents first.

Your leadership will influence how Essex develops sustainable transport and waste infrastructure to meet the needs of our communities now and in the future.

As Executive Director, you 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.

This role demands imagination, delivery focus, and the ability to navigate political complexity while inspiring others to visualise and build a better future.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a strategic, imaginative, and politically astute leader who thrives in complexity and knows how to shape positive culture, high‑performing teams, and outstanding results. You’ll bring experience in at least two key areas—such as highways and transportation, waste management, climate, energy, flooding, environment, or customer services—alongside a proven ability to lead diverse teams and deliver strategic objectives in fast‑moving environments. You’ll be an exceptional communicator, able to build influential networks and partnerships that inspire action and deliver meaningful benefits for residents, communities, and businesses across Essex. Comfortable navigating a complex organisation, you will operate confidently with senior stakeholders, partners across government, and national bodies.

You will have demonstrable experience developing and delivering functional strategy across a wide range of services, integrating change, and assessing the impact of external factors. You’ll be able to set ambitious performance standards, lead and motivate teams, and bring strong programme management and commercial expertise gained from delivering large‑scale projects with multiple partners and supply chains. A deep commitment to equality, diversity and inclusive leadership is essential, as is the ability to shape and deliver organisation‑wide strategy and high‑impact change initiatives while balancing competing priorities at pace.

For a confidential discussion about your suitability, or for more information, please contact our retained partners at GatenbySanderson: Frazer Thouard (frazer.thouard@gatenbysanderson.com) and Duncan Collins (duncan.collins@gatenbysanderson.com).

Closing date: 22 February 2026

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.

Company: Essex County Council

Salary: up to £179,404 per annum

Location: Essex, Essex

Sector: Corporate Services

Sector: Corporate Management Team

Sector: Customer Services

Job Role: Executive Director