Chief of Staff in Norfolk

We are delighted to offer a rare and highly influential opportunity to join Broadland District Council and South Norfolk Council as Chief of Staff, playing a defining role in guiding both councils through a landmark period of change, including our ambitious work on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). This is a pivotal moment for councils across the country, and we are seeking an experienced leader who can bring clarity, confidence and momentum as we prepare for, and deliver a fundamentally transformed future. Working at the heart of the organisation, you will help shape strategic direction, strengthen partnerships and ensure we continue to deliver exceptional outcomes for our residents, businesses and communities.

As Chief of Staff, you will lead a diverse and high-performing portfolio of services including:

• Human Resources and Organisation Development
• Communications and Marketing
• Governance, including Electoral and Committee Services
• Local Government Reorganisation

Working closely with the Managing Director, Directors, elected Members and partners, you will ensure that our services continue to operate with excellence while also shaping the long-term strategic and operational frameworks that will guide us through the next two years and beyond. This includes playing a key role in the planning and implementation of LGR activity at local and countywide levels, representing both councils with authority and credibility in complex political environments. You will champion a collaborative, high-performance culture, ensuring our workforce is inspired, supported and empowered to deliver results that benefit our communities. Your leadership will help maintain our strong reputation for quality, innovation and customer focus, ensuring that even during organisational change, our commitment to excellent service remains unwavering.

We are looking for an experienced and resilient leader who brings:

• A strong track record of senior-level leadership.
• The confidence and capability to operate at pace in a highly complex, sensitive and changing environment.
• Experience of managing organisational transformation or large-scale change programmes, ideally within local government.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills, with an ability to negotiate, influence and work collaboratively across organisational and system boundaries.
• Proven ability to lead high-performing teams and drive continuous improvement.
• A confident, strategic mindset with the ability to translate vision into action.
• A commitment to our One Team values, including being collaborative, respectful, customer-focused and ambitious in our thinking.

Closing Date: Sunday 29th March 2026. Interview Dates: Stage 1 Tuesday 14th April 2026; Stage 2 Friday 17th April 2026.

For further information about the role or our organisation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Managing Director, or the People Team as follows:

• Trevor Holden
  Email: md@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
  Tel: 01603 369745
• People Team:
  Email: peopleteam@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
  Tel: 01508 533995

We offer flexible working hours for most office-based roles, allowing for a healthy work-life balance. As part of our team, you will enjoy a range of employee benefits, including free onsite parking, employee discounts, a competitive holiday allowance, wellbeing initiatives, and the opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme. You will be joining a progressive and supportive organisation that is committed to making a positive impact on the communities we serve.

To apply, please click the ‘Visit website’ button. For internal applicants, please apply via the internal website found through the job portal on Connect. The Councils reserve the right to close any and all vacancies at any time if there is judged to be a sufficient number of applications received. South Norfolk and Broadland Councils are committed to promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and all applicants must be willing to undergo appropriate checks for the position, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.