Chief of Staff

Chief of Staff

Permanent, Full Time

Up to £89,154.00 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Closing Date: 30th September 2025

Please note key dates for this recruitment:

• 1st stage interviews: 3rd October 2025
• Key partner engagement sessions: 13th October 2025
• 2nd stage interviews: 24th October

Essex County Council is a unique place in which to explore your potential. As one of the largest county councils, with one of the most ambitious change programmes in the country, Essex is at the forefront of re-thinking the future of public services for the good of our residents.

As Chief of Staff, you will act as the strategic anchor for the Chief Executive’s office, ensuring seamless operations and driving alignment across advisory, operational, and engagement functions. You will play a pivotal role in shaping policy, identifying opportunities and risks, and guiding executive decision making in close collaboration with senior leaders.

Working alongside the Corporate Leadership Team (CLT), senior officers, and political stakeholders, you will lead the delivery of key programmes, strengthen external partnerships, and ensure effective communication and policy development. You’ll monitor progress, commission updates, and provide contextualised briefings that align with broader organisational and policy frameworks.

This role will define the significant issues facing Local Authorities and wider public sector organisations, ensuring that the council is equipped with the capacity and capability to deliver innovative, impactful solutions.

Representing the Chief Executive’s interests, you will foster collaboration with other local authorities, government departments, and communications teams to enhance the Council’s visibility, influence, and strategic positioning.

You will also support the Chief Executive’s engagement across Boards, Committees, and Advisory Groups, ensuring they are fully briefed and prepared for high-level discussions that shape the future of Essex and beyond.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

With strong senior leadership experience in a complex, multi stakeholder environment, you will inspire and motivate teams. You’ll be a strategic thinker and strong leader, with a focus on delivery and performance.

Naturally, you will have strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust and credibility with colleagues, senior officers and elected Members.

You should have a deep understanding of the current policy and regulatory environment in local government, with experience working at a senior level in a political environment, navigating differing perspectives and cross organisation views.

Above all else, you will be dedicated to improving the lives of Essex’s residents, and passionate about helping Essex fulfil its full potential.

This role requires you to be educated to degree level or equivalent.

In turn, we can offer you a highly competitive benefits package that includes generous annual leave (with the option to purchase additional days), access to our desirable Local Government Pension Scheme, life assurance and up to 4 days of volunteering leave – plus a range of staff discounts. You will also find lifestyle-friendly flexible working options.

To read more about us please visit: People, Policy, Economy and Public Health - Working for Essex

Why Essex? We are ambitious and a place to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. Essex is home to England’s oldest town, Colchester, and the two post war new towns– Basildon and Harlow. Along with the City of Chelmsford, our county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for advancing your career. Read more about us here.

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.

Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. As part of our team, we kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, not only during the recruitment process but also throughout your time with us. 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.

What you should do next

If you are interested in finding out more about this role, please apply via the Working for Essex website.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community here.  

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Further details can be found on our careers page.

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