Chief Executive

Join us. Shape the future. Lead a place where people truly THRIVE.

West Northamptonshire is one of England’s largest and most ambitious unitary authorities, a place shaped by local government reorganisation and already building a strong identity, clear direction and real momentum. We are a young council, but not an inexperienced one, bringing together strong services, proud communities and bold ambition for the future.  

We are now ready for the next stage of our journey.

We are looking for an exceptional Chief Executive to help turn ambition into delivery. This is a rare opportunity to lead a large, complex organisation at a formative point in its evolution, shaping its future, strengthening its culture and making a lasting difference for residents and communities.

If you are a confident, values-led and influential leader who can inspire people, build powerful partnerships and represent our place at the highest levels, we would love to hear from you.

About the role

This is a leadership role with scale, visibility and real impact.

As Chief Executive, you will lead a large and complex organisation that has already been through significant change as part of local government reform and is now focused on delivery, improvement and long-term success.

You will work closely with elected members, senior leaders and partners to embed a strong, high-performing organisation and take West Northamptonshire confidently into its next phase.

You will bring the experience and authority to:

• Lead major services and manage significant budgets
• Drive performance, improvement and financial resilience
• Build a confident, motivated and forward-looking workforce
• Strengthen partnerships across health, education, business and the voluntary sector

You will also act as a compelling ambassador for West Northamptonshire, building influence at regional and national level, advocating for our place and securing the support needed to deliver our ambitions.  

We need a leader who understands both transformation and stability, someone who can build on the foundations created through reorganisation and create a mature, confident organisation with a clear sense of purpose and delivery.

Why join West Northants now?

Because this is a place where you can shape something still taking form.

Few roles offer the opportunity to lead a council at this stage of its journey. West Northamptonshire is a young unitary authority, created through local government reform, with the scale, reach and responsibilities of a major council, but still with the agility and opportunity of a new organisation.

The foundations are in place:

• A clear and credible long-term direction
• Strengthening core services
• Growing partnerships across public services and beyond
• A strong identity as a place with ambition and potential

What comes next is critical.

This is your opportunity to:

• Shape the culture and identity of a still-evolving organisation
• Embed excellence, innovation and accountability
• Influence the future of a major place on the national stage
• Build a legacy that will define the council for years to come

This is more than a Chief Executive role. It is an opportunity to shape a young, ambitious authority at a pivotal moment, and to build a legacy for a place that is ready to step forward confidently onto the national stage.

If you are driven by purpose, motivated by challenge and inspired by the possibility of meaningful impact, West Northamptonshire offers a genuinely rare opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Ready to find out more?  

See and hear more from our team about West Northamptonshire.

View the Job Description and Person Specification:

Read our candidate information pack:

If you would like an informal chat about the role please contact [email protected].

How to apply

Applications are being managed through our dedicated recruitment site.

To apply, you will need to provide:

• Your CV
• A supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the criteria for the role
• Contact details for two referees (who will only be approached at the final stage)

To apply for the role of Chief Executive, visit our Recruitment Hub.

Recruitment Timeline

• Advert live: 2 June 2026
• Informal candidate discussions: 8 June and 17 June 2026 (virtual)
• Closing date: 21 June 2026
• Technical interviews: 30 June 2026
• Psychometric testing: w/c 6 July 2026 (online)
• Final interview day: 16 July 2026 in Northampton

Ready to shape the future?

If you want to lead somewhere with vision, momentum and room to make your mark, West Northamptonshire is the place. Join us, and help our communities, our economy and our organisation truly THRIVE.

West Northamptonshire Council are working in partnership with OPUS People Solutions.

Last updated 01 June 2026