Chief Operating Officer

Purpose. Progress. People. Become our Chief Operating Officer.

We’re setting our sights high – transforming our services with ambition and putting our communities at the heart of everything we do.

This is a pivotal moment for us. As Chief Operating Officer, you will be a key member of our Executive Leadership Team, providing strategic oversight of a significant proportion of our workforce and leading the frontline services that residents rely on every day. This is a big, influential, and exciting role – one where you will see real-world results, drive visible improvements, and help shape the future of local government.

Alongside delivering operational excellence, you will provide visible leadership across diverse service areas, championing a culture of accountability, innovation, and high performance. You will also be instrumental in driving commercial opportunities across our leisure centres, theatre, and extensive property portfolio, ensuring these assets are used creatively and sustainably to benefit our communities and strengthen our financial resilience.

With responsibility for frontline delivery, you will be at the forefront of making tangible differences to people’s lives – seeing firsthand how your leadership translates into better experiences and outcomes for our residents.

But this role is about more than managing operations. It’s about inspiring change, fostering strong partnerships, and steering transformation  will bring strategic clarity, resilience, and a collaborative mindset to help us deliver on our bold vision for the borough.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Thinks strategically and influences confidently at the highest level
• Leads with authenticity, inclusion, visible leadership, and a spirit of collaboration
• Delivers results that improve lives and strengthen communities
• Brings commercial acumen to unlock value and maximise the potential of our key assets

If you’re ready to take on a role with real impact – one where your leadership will shape services, empower people, and help define the future of our borough – we would love to hear from you.

A video from Kate Blakemore our Chief Executive about this exciting opportunity.

Kate Blakemore joined as our Chief Executive in September 2024 and is leading an exciting programme of organisational transformation alongside shaping our place-based agenda, working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and Cabinet.

We are ambitious to make this council fit for the future and ensure all projects and services run effectively and align with the needs of our communities, maximising the significant opportunities for the borough while proactively addressing our challenges.

• Providing efficient and effective delivery of our services

Politically, the local elections in May 2023 enabled the first minority administration in 20 years to be formed and it is the first in West Norfolk to be made of up a partnership of independent councillors and other parties. See our constitution for how the Council operates.

This role is crucial in ensuring smooth, effective governance and operational efficiency. The Chief Operating Officer focuses on managing the operational delivery of the organisation’s strategy, overseeing key operational functions, and supporting the wider Executive Team in driving organisational performance.

Whilst supporting our operational services this is a strategic leadership role that sits as part of the Council’s Executive Team and wider Corporate Leadership Team, giving you the opportunity to contribute to the council’s strategic direction and act as an ambassador for the Council and borough.

Recruitment timeline for the vacancy

Date

Process

26 January 2026 Advert closes at 12 noon

W/C 2 February 2026 Invites sent out to candidates

11 February 2026 Assessment Centre

12 February 2026 Formal Interview with presentation

We offer a relocation package of up to £8k to newly appointed officers who move their home into the borough.

The package includes financial assistance with relocation expenses including such items as temporary accommodation…