Deputy Chief Executive
Chorley Borough Council and South Ribble Borough Council
Salary circa £116,000
Chorley Council and South Ribble Borough Council serve a combined population of around 250,000 people and together are demonstrating what meaningful collaboration between local authorities can achieve. Both boroughs include a mix of urban centres, suburban communities, and rural landscapes. They are largely affluent areas with pockets of deprivation, where the councils play an important role in supporting inclusion and opportunities for all. Situated within Lancashire, both districts benefit from strong transport links to Manchester, Preston, Liverpool and regional airports, making them attractive and well-connected places to live, work, and invest in.
Each council has a distinct identity, vision, and set of priorities, but they share a common ambition to deliver excellent public services and positive outcomes for their residents.
Both councils are ambitious, confident and forward-thinking. They push boundaries, take on complex challenges and consistently punch above their weight, both independently and together.
The next few years will be shaped by Local Government Reorganisation across Lancashire, and Chorley and South Ribble are both committed to preparing proactively for this transition. Their shared-service arrangements, strong officer culture, and established partnership working place them in a strong position to influence and shape the future landscape.
THE ROLE
Local Government Reorganisation is fundamentally changing the focus of both organisations. The councils need to continue delivering their core business and priorities, including each council’s legacies, while playing their full part in implementing reorganisation. Those demands create a significant opportunity for a new Deputy Chief Executive.
The Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive relationship will be central to leading both organisations through this period. The expectation is that the two posts will increasingly work interchangeably across all areas, with the Deputy Chief Executive leading on the following:
External relationships and LGR: You will lead work to strengthen partnership working and develop relationships with key partners to ensure the partnership is innovative and well-respected. You will lead the development of South Lancashire relationships in readiness for LGR, drive the internal transition programme and support the Lancashire-wide programme.
Organisational culture: You will lead the development of a cohesive and positive organisational culture, built on a strong Leadership Team, a refreshed People Strategy, and a clear approach to management development, organisational development and internal communications.
Service leadership: You will lead consistently high-quality services, acting as the organisational critical friend and business partner, getting the basics right and translating political and organisational priorities into action.
This is a visible, high-profile role that requires someone who can deputise seamlessly for the Chief Executive and manage an intricate set of relationships across two distinct authorities. You will need the judgement, resilience and communication skills to support staff, elected members and partners through a period of significant change across Lancashire. We are open to candidates from a range of professional backgrounds. What matters most is that you are a capable, confident leader who is comfortable taking responsibility for a range of services and who can operate credibly across the full breadth of the role with the ambition to help shape local government in Lancashire.
INFORMATION
For further details, please click on the role profile and useful links below, or for more information please contact Tim Farr on 07756 293292 or tim.farr@starfishsearch.com
ROLE PROFILE Shared Structure Chart Chief Executive Welcome LetterTimeline
Closing Date: Sunday 31st May 2026
Longlist Meeting (applicants not required): 1st June 2026
Preliminary Interviews (Teams): 3rd or 4th June 2026
Shortlist Meeting (applicants not required): 5th June 2026
Assessment Centre: w/c 8th June 2026
Final Panel: w/c 15th June 2026
Useful Links
How to apply
To make an application, please click on the apply now button below, with the following prepared:
- Your CV (no more than three sides of A4).
- A supporting statement (no more than three sides of A4) that sets out why you think this role is the right move for you and how you meet the knowledge and experience criteria.
If our client is a member of the Disability Confident Scheme and you would like to apply under the scheme, please state that clearly at the top of your supporting statement, along with any adjustments you require to be made if invited for interview.
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