Deputy Chief Executive

Shape the Future of a Borough that Delivers Today

Chesterfield Borough Council is a place where people feel proud of the work they do and the difference they make. We are ambitious for our communities and clear about the impact we want to deliver. Our investment in strong, confident and  value-led leadership ensures our council continues to deliver for our communities and thrive through change, including the transition toward Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). We are an organisation motivated by service, driven by improvement and grounded in a collegiate culture that puts people and communities first.

Our momentum is real. In the last decade, more than 2,000 new jobs created, over 500 new businesses established, major town centre regeneration well underway in Chesterfield and Staveley, improvements to Stephenson Memorial Hall, canal restoration progressing and the Derbyshire Rail Innovation Vehicle taking shape. Chesterfield is a borough that delivers, and we are strengthening our leadership team to shape the next chapter of our success.

About the Role

Following the successful appointment of Christine Durrant as Chief Executive, Chesterfield Borough Council is now seeking a new Deputy Chief Executive. This is a pivotal role at a defining moment for the organisation, as the council prepares for Local Government Reorganisation and the move to new unitary arrangements. The Deputy Chief Executive will play a central role in ensuring continuity, maintaining high standards of service, and supporting the council to deliver its current priorities while preparing for the transition ahead.

You will work alongside the Chief Executive to provide visible, values-led leadership across the organisation. You will work alongside directors to drive improvement, keep services performing at the highest standard, and ensure council priorities, whether in housing, community wellbeing, digital, or operational delivery, are turned into practical results that people can see and feel in their neighbourhoods.

This role is central to navigating the next two years of strategic priorities while supporting the council through Local Government Reorganisation, ensuring continuity of services and preparing the organisation for its role in the emerging new unitary structure. You will provide the strategic oversight and sponsorship needed to keep the council performing at its best, driving improvement and innovation, supporting directors to deliver ambitious programmes, and enabling services to respond effectively to new challenges.

This is a chance to make a lasting impact on a borough that combines ambition with a strong sense of community. Success in this role means residents see no loss of momentum, staff feel supported through change, and the council is well positioned for the future.

About You

We are looking for a strategic, collaborative and politically astute leader who can combine strategic vision with operational rigour to deliver real, tangible outcomes for the borough. You will bring significant senior experience, ideally within local government or another public service environment, with a proven ability to lead diverse services, support organisational change and deliver high-quality outcomes for communities.

You will bring the confidence and credibility to operate at the centre of a dynamic organisation, providing clarity of direction, constructive challenge and visible support to senior colleagues and members alike. We are seeking a leader who is politically aware, solutions-focused and collaborative by instinct, with the ability to align people, priorities and resources to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes. Your leadership style will be enabling and inclusive, fostering accountability while creating the conditions in which individuals and teams can perform at their best.

At Chesterfield, collaboration is at the heart of how we work. You will join a collegiate council where leaders are visible and supportive, members and officers work in strong partnership, and everyone shares a commitment to delivering high-quality services and creating lasting positive impact across the borough.

If you are energised by meaningful impact, collective endeavour and the chance to help lead a high-performing council into its next phase, this is a role that will both challenge and reward you, and one where your leadership will truly matter.