Chief Executive Officer

A few words from Roger Gough, Leader of the Council

Thank you for taking the time to consider applying for the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Kent County Council. I hope the information provided here will help you decide if this is the role for you – I look forward to hearing from you.

KCC has an extremely strong record of achievement and we’re enormously proud of our track record and what we have been able to do for the people of Kent. But the world is fast changing. Many of the assumptions that have underpinned our budget and our service delivery over the last 10 years are under threat from a fragile global economy and the need to meet head on the many social, economic and community issues that we face as a county. Some of these have been around for generations but have been brought to the fore by the pandemic and although many are profound, they can be overcome. There are significant opportunities for the council if we do things differently in response.

The decision to reinstate the role of CEO in July last year was part of the continuing determination to strengthen a “One Council” approach, recognising that enhancement to the corporate heart of the organisation is necessary to both achieve our big ambitions and meet our big challenges. To further improve KCC’s performance, we are committed to strengthen our organisational capacity in relation to strong, strategic thinkers and benefit from the rigour of a CEO structure which can ensure:

• relative priorities are clear
• duplication of effort is avoided
• robust adherence to good governance is in place.

We have a strong leadership team here – both in terms of the cabinet and our chief officers. To optimise this strength, we need our new CEO to have a style of management which is collegiate and an individual capable of providing direction, leadership and challenge who will maximise the opportunity of a dynamic relationship between cabinet and the Corporate Management Team to deliver innovation, success and excellence.

I’m looking for a CEO who understands the strategic importance of Kent nationally and is willing and able to work with me and other members to meet the challenges and grasp the opportunities this brings. The ability to drive our continuing programme of change and challenge orthodoxy but also recognise what is right for Kent in its uniqueness is critical. A relentless focus on improving the lives of Kent residents will be as central to the role as the internal leadership and support for our excellent and diverse staff.

If you have the ambition and ability to take on a role of this profile and magnitude, I very much hope you will apply. There’s no job bigger in local government.

Read the job description (PDF, 94.0 KB)

Apply

Applications close at midnight on Sunday 18 June.

For an informal discussion, please contact either:

• Ben Cox on 07809 374692
• Julie Towers on 07764 791736.

To apply, submit a CV and a covering letter on Penna's website.

Key dates

Shortlisted candidates will also need to complete an occupational personality questionnaire and a telephone feedback session.