Chief Executive Officer; Town Clerk

Overview

Chief Executive Officer (Town Clerk)

Stroud Town Council

Salary: SCP 50-54 (£64,374 - £72,307 per annum)

Location:

Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5

Contract:

Full‑time, permanent

Hours:

37 hours per week, Monday to Friday with occasional evening, weekends and Bank Holidays

Stroud is a distinctive, creative and proudly independent town with a strong sense of identity and an active, engaged community. Known for its culture, activism and environmental leadership, it is a place where people care deeply about their town and expect their council to reflect those values. With a new five‑year strategy shaped by extensive community engagement, this is an exciting moment to join a council with ambition, purpose and momentum.

As CEO, you will provide strategic leadership, clear governance and confident professional advice to councillors. You will lead a committed officer team, support strong financial stewardship and help the Council prepare for the opportunities presented by Local Government Reorganisation.

A key part of the role will be fostering a positive, collaborative and engaged organisational culture, while ensuring the Council's broad range of services and community assets are well managed, responsive and aligned to local priorities. You will support staff, encourage open communication and bring a leadership style that provides clarity, consistency and confidence across the organisation.

We are seeking an experienced, grounded and values-driven leader who can balance strategic vision with practical delivery. You will bring sound judgement, political awareness and the ability to navigate complexity with calmness and clarity. You will be collaborative, compassionate and committed to public service, with the ability to motivate and empower teams and build strong relationships across the town and region.

You will understand the importance of good governance, financial stewardship and transparent decision‑making. You will be comfortable leading through change, modernising systems and strengthening organisational culture.

While local government experience and CiLCA are preferred, we also welcome strong leadership backgrounds from other regulated environments. Ultimately, we are looking for leadership, integrity and the ability to guide a growing organisation through opportunity and change.

Stroud Town Council offers a supportive, progressive and community‑focused environment where your leadership will make a visible impact. You will join a dedicated team, benefit from strong councillor support and have the opportunity to shape the next chapter of a town that is ambitious for its future.

• A competitive salary (SCP 50-54)
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Generous annual leave and wellbeing support
• Professional development and support to achieve CiLCA
• A role with genuine influence and community impact

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Stroud Town Council, please click apply to receive the full candidate pack and application form.

Closing date: 5pm, Sunday 1st March 2026

Interviews:
Week commencing 9th March (First Stage) and week commencing 16th March (Second Stage)