Cambridgeshire is an extraordinarily dynamic, varied and diverse county, with huge potential to be the engine-room of UK growth over the coming decades. This is a place of innovation, ambition and opportunity and we’re determined to deliver that potential by creating the physical and human capital needed to succeed, working hand-in-hand with our partners and communities.

As our Executive Director of Place and Sustainability, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Cambridgeshire. This is not just a leadership position, it’s an opportunity to influence the strategic direction of a county that is central to the UK’s growth agenda. You’ll work closely with elected members and the Chief Executive, leading both corporately on cross-cutting programmes and providing exceptional functional leadership across a wide-ranging portfolio that touches every aspect of life in Cambridgeshire.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and sitting on the Corporate Leadership Team, you will take collective responsibility for the effective leadership and corporate management of the Council. Your remit spans:

• Transport and Connectivity – shaping strategic transport policy, overseeing highways and passenger transport services, and driving digital connectivity across the county.
• Infrastructure and Project Delivery – leading major capital programmes and ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget and to plan. Providing Leadership for our Highways Maintenance services across Cambridgeshire.
• Environment, Planning and Economy – championing sustainable growth, planning policy, housing, and climate change initiatives, including our ambition to achieve carbon net zero.
• Community Development and Resilience – ensuring Cambridgeshire maintains a status as a County of Sanctuary including community safety, regulatory services, libraries and resilience planning are robust and responsive.
• Greater Cambridge Partnership (City Deal) – working collaboratively to unlock investment and growth opportunities.

You will act as a senior advisor to elected members, lead strategic partnerships with government agencies, the Combined Authority and private sector partners. You will represent the Council at regional and national forums.

What We’re Looking For

We want to hear from experienced and politically adept leaders with an outstanding track record of delivery across infrastructure, environmental services, and place-based leadership. You’ll need:

• Significant experience operating at a strategic level in a large, complex organisation.
• Proven ability to lead transformational change and deliver innovative service models.
• Strong political acumen and the ability to influence policy at regional and national levels.
• Expertise in at least four of the following: Highways and Transport, Planning Policy and Growth, Regulatory Services, Capital Programme Delivery, Public Protection, or Emergency Planning.
• A clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the ability to create an empowering and inclusive culture.

For further information related to this role, please download a copy of the Job Description and Person specification found below.

Job Description and Person Specification

Contact Information:

Rob Naylor
Tel: 0121 312 3755
Email: rnaylor@faerfield.co.uk

Ben Cox
Tel: 0121 312 3755
Email: bcox@faerfield.co.uk

Indicative Timetable:

Closing date: Sunday 1 February 2026
Preliminary Interviews: Wednesday 11 February 2026
Assessment Centre: Thursday 26 February 2026
Final Interviews: Wednesday 4 March 2026
(dates may be subject to slight change)

Apply:

To apply for this job please click on the Apply button below and fill out the requested information. When prompted, please submit your CV and a Supporting Statement of no more than 1,000 words.

With your CV, please also provide the names and contact details of two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be contacted if you reach the final stages, and we will not contact referees without your permission.

Your supporting statement should express why you are interested in this role and what experience you can bring to the organisation. The statement should tackle the specific requirements of the role; outlining examples and outcomes showing how you meet those requirements.