Chief Executive in Surrey

Shape something new. Lead somewhere special. Local government in Surrey is being reshaped for the first time in over 50 years. From April 2027, East Surrey Council will be a new unitary council serving around 560,000 residents, with a budget of up to £700m and responsibility for delivering vital services at scale. This is a rare opportunity to lead the creation of a new council, from defining its new culture and identity to establishing its ambition and vision for decades to come. Expectations are high. Residents want services that are accessible, responsive and high performing, delivered with transparency and honesty.

East Surrey is a place defined by strong local identity and a deep sense of community, offering a unique balance of connectivity, heritage and community. From well‑connected suburban towns on the edge of London to historic market centres, countryside and rural villages, it brings together places with distinct character, pride and traditions, united by a shared sense of belonging. With Gatwick and Heathrow airports on the doorstep, excellent transport connections, internationally recognised businesses and significant economic assets, East Surrey is an undeniably exciting place to live, work, visit and invest.

As Chief Executive, you will provide strategic leadership as Head of Paid Service, working in close partnership with the Leader and Members to shape the Council’s long‑term direction, translate political priorities into deliverable strategies, and ensure services are safe, effective and sustainable. You will be accountable for operational performance across all functions, including children’s services, adult social care, planning, housing, public health and more, while ensuring robust governance, financial stewardship and public trust.

Your first year will be pivotal. You will lead the establishment of the new council; uniting teams from across predecessor organisations, maintaining service continuity, and setting a clear direction for the future. You will define the organisation’s new culture and leadership ethos from day one, building a confident, inclusive and values‑led organisation, capable of delivering consistently high performance for local communities. You will be a system leader across Surrey, working with partners, business and government to drive growth, improve outcomes and shape the future of local services. And you will address the challenges all local authorities face, especially around financial constraints, rising demand and challenges in key areas such as SEND, and the complex policy environment surrounding housing, planning and infrastructure reform.

We are seeking an exceptional leader with substantial experience of operating at scale in complex, politically led environments who can secure public confidence. You will bring credibility, resilience and sound judgement, alongside the emotional and cultural intelligence to lead people through change and build a shared sense of purpose. You will be collaborative, visible and politically astute, able to build strong relationships with Members while providing confident and independent advice. Above all, you will be motivated by the opportunity to create something lasting; an organisation that earns trust, delivers excellence and reflects the ambition of the place it serves.

Local government in Surrey is changing to make the system simpler, more connected and better able to meet local needs. From April 2027, the existing county council and 11 district and borough councils in Surrey will be replaced by two new unitary councils – East Surrey and West Surrey. Instead of separate county, district and borough councils, there will be one council in the East and one council in the West providing all the services residents rely on – education, waste collection, roads, housing, play areas, the countryside, leisure centres, planning, children’s services, adult social care, community funding, elections and more. We’re also working with government on plans that could bring more powers into the county and unlock devolution through a Strategic Authority that would sit across the whole of Surrey, helping us make an even bigger difference.

To apply, click Apply on Website or contact Frazer.Thouard@gatenbysanderson.com or Alex.Hayes@gatenbysanderson.com. Closing date: Sunday 28th June.