Interim Chief Executive Officer - Greater Essex Combined County Authority
Fixed Term, Full Time
Competitive
Location: Countywide
Closing Date: Sunday 5th October 2025
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.
Role Overview:
The Interim Chief Executive Officer will lead the formation and operational readiness of the interim Greater Essex Combined County Authority, translating the ambitions of devolution into a credible, outcome focused functioning Authority.
This role demands a visionary, politically astute leader with experience of operating successfully in complex public sector systems, capable of building trust, shaping strategy, and delivering transformation at pace.
The Interim CEO will act as the principal advisor to the Constituent Authority Chief Executives and Mayor once elected, providing advice to the interim board and ensuring GECCA is positioned to deliver inclusive growth, public value, and long-term impact for the people of Essex.
The role holder will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight during the critical establishment phase of the interim Greater Essex Combined County Authority and shape the Authority’s foundational structures, working across the Essex system and building trusted relationships, to ensure readiness to deliver on the ambitions of devolution.
Role Accountabilities:
Leadership & Vision:
- Provide confident, strategic leadership to shape the Greater Essex Combined County Authority’s identity, values, and long-term direction
- Establish a high-performing executive team and organisational structure aligned to future delivery priorities
- Foster a culture of collaborative, inclusive, and transparent leadership across the whole of Essex
Devolution Leadership
- Lead the operational delivery of the devolution deal and assume devolved powers and responsibilities.
- Translate strategic ambitions into impactful programmes tailored to Essex’s needs and opportunities
- Develop internal capacity and governance for long-term devolution success
Public Impact & Inclusive Growth
- Champion inclusive economic growth, public service reform and improved outcomes for residents.
- Ensure early programmes reflect community priorities and reduce inequalities
- Embed evidence-based decision-making and a focus on public value
Political Acumen & System Leadership
- Navigate complex political environments with credibility and tact, working closely with elected leaders, councils, and stakeholders.
- Build trust across the system, enabling shared ownership of the Authority’s mission and delivery.
- Provide impartial, strategic advice to decision makers that balances ambition with realism
Strategic Advocacy & National Influence
- Represent the Authority at regional, national, and ministerial levels, influencing outcomes and securing investment and buy in.
- Build strategic alliances with government departments, business leaders, and civic organisations.
- Ensure national engagement translates into tailored, impactful outcomes for Essex communities.
Financial Management & Governance
- Establish robust financial systems, controls, and reporting mechanisms to support transparency and accountability.
- Lead budget development and resource planning for the Authority’s initial operating phase.
- Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, including audit and assurance
People Management & Culture
- Set the tone for a values-led, inclusive workplace culture that attracts and retains top talent
- Lead the change transformation process to embed, values, behaviours employee engagement during setup and transition.
- Role model the interim GECCA’s core values and behaviours – ensuring all senior leaders to do the same to embed across the new organisation
Statutory Duties
- Fulfil the statutory responsibilities of the Head of Paid Service, ensuring lawful and effective operation of the Authority.
- Ensure GECCA meets all legal obligations during its formation, including governance, transparency, and public accountability.
- Prepare the organisation for future statutory functions under the elected Mayor and permanent leadership.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
- Strong track record of ongoing professional development and expert knowledge in a relevant professional area.
- Inspirational leadership style with a commitment to inclusion, integrity, and public service.
- Proven experience in senior executive leadership within complex public sector organisations, ideally during setup or transformation phases.
- Proven ability to lead across complex systems, aligning functions and priorities across councils, agencies, and regional partners.
- Experience in building shared ownership of strategic goals while respecting local autonomy.
- Deep understanding of devolution, place-based leadership, and multi-agency governance.
- Strong political awareness and ability to build trust across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Track record of delivering strategic programmes with measurable public impact.
- Experience in managing media, political relationships, and public-facing roles with tact and strategic intent.
- Adept at ensuring that teams are equipped with the capacity, capability, and culture to deliver the statutory and strategic objectives of the Authority.
- Deep understanding of workforce planning, financial stewardship, and cultural development in public sector contexts.
- High-level political awareness and ability to operate effectively within multi-tiered governance structures.
- Experience in advising elected leaders and navigating sensitive political environments.
- Skilled in shaping public narrative and building stakeholder trust through clear, authentic communication.
- Knowledge of statutory duties, regulatory frameworks, and public accountability requirements.
- Communicates with clarity, authenticity, and strategic intent across diverse audiences.
*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 appointment is being managed by Essex Shared Services. Should you have any enquiries or would like to request a confidential discussion please contact Joanna Mosaid , Head of Shared Services via email at joanna.mosaid@essex.gov.uk or by telephone 07917 182037.
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
Closing date for applications: Sunday 5th October 2025 at 23:59pm
