Strategic Lead Director - Local Government Reorganisation

Temporary or Secondment, Full Time

Temporary - up to £1,100 per day / Secondment- £155,884 per annum (dependant on experience)

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Closing Date: Temporary -18th May 2026/ Secondment -24th May 2026

Please note this is a temporary or secondment role for a period of 6 months, with the opportunity for an immediate start. The role is offered on a hybrid basis, with an expectation of being in the office to support business needs.

If applying for a temporary role, when submitting your application, please include your rate expectations and availability for interview and commencement.

Shape the Future of Essex

Greater Essex is embarking on one of the most ambitious local government transformation programmes in the country. As part of the Government’s Local Government Reorganisation Priority Programme, the fifteen councils across Greater Essex are working together to reshape the future of local government and public service delivery for more than 1.8 million residents.

This programme will fundamentally redesign council structures and governance arrangements across Essex, creating new unitary authorities and establishing a model of local government that is simpler, more sustainable and better aligned to the needs of residents and communities.

Essex County Council is seeking an exceptional strategic leader to take on a pivotal role within this once-in-a-generation programme. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and working closely with the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Members, Corporate Leadership Team and wider partners across Greater Essex, you will provide strategic leadership to support the development and implementation of Local Government Reorganisation across the system.

This role requires an experienced and politically astute leader who can operate effectively within a highly complex and evolving environment, balancing strategic vision with delivery focus whilst building strong collaborative relationships across organisational boundaries.

The Role

As Strategic Lead Director – Local Government Reorganisation, you will play a critical leadership role in supporting Essex County Council through one of the most significant periods of organisational change in its history.

You will act as a senior adviser to the Chief Executive and Leader, helping to shape the Council’s long-term approach to Local Government Reorganisation and supporting the transition towards new unitary arrangements across Greater Essex.

Working collaboratively across the wider Essex system, you will support the development of effective partnerships, governance arrangements, implementation plans and engagement strategies that enable successful transition and long-term organisational effectiveness.

The role will require close working with senior politicians, Chief Executives, Corporate Leadership Teams and wider stakeholders across Essex to support delivery of a large-scale and highly visible transformation programme.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and advice to the Chief Executive, Leader and Corporate Leadership Team on Local Government Reorganisation.
• Support the development and implementation of transition arrangements associated with the establishment of new unitary authorities across Greater Essex.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with senior leaders, elected members and partners across the fifteen Essex councils and wider public sector organisations.
• Facilitate collaborative working across programmes, ensuring risks, dependencies and opportunities are effectively managed.
• Lead and support engagement strategies to ensure councillors, employees, partners and stakeholders are informed and engaged throughout the programme.
• Work collaboratively across organisational boundaries to support service transition, organisational design and future governance arrangements.
• Support the development of a positive organisational culture throughout the programme, providing visible and resilient leadership during a period of significant change.
• Ensure programme activity aligns with corporate priorities, governance requirements and strategic objectives.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking a highly credible and experienced senior leader with substantial experience operating within complex political and organisational environments. You will bring:

• Significant experience of leading large-scale transformation, organisational change or strategic programmes within local government or the wider public sector.
• Strong political awareness and the ability to build trusted relationships with senior elected members, Chief Executives and partner organisations.
• Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to operate effectively across complex systems and partnerships.
• Proven programme leadership experience, including oversight of large-scale transformation activity and organisational change.
• Strong strategic thinking capability, with the ability to translate vision into effective delivery.
• Resilience, adaptability and strong leadership behaviours, with the ability to lead through ambiguity and complexity.
•  A collaborative and inclusive leadership style, with a strong commitment to public service and organisational improvement.

Why Essex?

Essex is one of the largest and most dynamic local authority areas in the UK, serving over 1.8 million residents across a diverse and ambitious region.

This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role in shaping the future of local government across Greater Essex and contribute to a transformation programme of national significance.

Essex County Council is committed to innovation, collaboration and delivering excellent outcomes for residents and communities. We offer a flexible and supportive working environment alongside the opportunity to contribute to meaningful and lasting change.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Adjustments will be made throughout the recruitment process to support candidates with specific needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour and ask all applicants to embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan Principles throughout the recruitment process.

For more information on this role, please contact a member of the Essex Shared Services Team at essexsharedservices@essex.gov.uk