GatenbySanderson
Deputy Chief Executive & Director of Place
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Deputy Chief Executive & Director of Place
£132,063 - £145,050 plus lease car allowance of £9,576 and relocation package
Haverfordwest / Agile
This job post will be advertised for a minimum period of two weeks on LinkedIn. After this time please apply directly to https://join-pembrokeshire.gs-attract.com/ until the closing date of 9am Monday 12 October 2026.
This is not simply a Director role. It's an opportunity to influence what Pembrokeshire's economy, communities and infrastructure look like well into the future.
Pembrokeshire is entering one of the most significant periods in its history. With major investment opportunities, a thriving and evolving energy sector, the Celtic Freeport, ambitious regeneration plans and nationally important economic developments; the decisions made today will influence what Pembrokeshire looks like for decades to come.
We are looking for an exceptional leader to join us as our next Deputy Chief Executive & Director of Place.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, this is one of the most influential leadership roles in the organisation. You will play a key role in shaping the Council's strategic direction while leading a broad portfolio spanning economic development, regeneration, planning, transport, property, environmental services, climate change, energy and major capital programmes.
This role is about much more than overseeing services. It is about helping define Pembrokeshire's future economy and creating the conditions for long-term prosperity. You will bring the strategic insight, commercial awareness and leadership capability to identify opportunities, unlock investment, build partnerships and translate ambition into meaningful outcomes.
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We are seeking a leader who can see the bigger picture while never losing sight of delivery. Someone who can connect diverse services behind a shared vision, align investment with outcomes and ensure a joined-up approach to place shaping, growth and community prosperity. You will be comfortable leading across complex systems, balancing competing priorities and making decisions that create lasting impact.
Just as importantly, you will be someone who gets things done. You will bring a proven track record of turning strategy into action, driving progress at pace and delivering complex programmes that create tangible benefits for residents, businesses and communities. You will understand that successful place leadership requires both vision and execution.
Success in this role requires a strong external focus. You'll build trusted relationships and work confidently with senior political leaders, government partners, investors, business leaders, regional stakeholders and major organisations across the energy and infrastructure sectors. Equally, you will be a visible and approachable leader, engaging effectively with local communities, operational teams and front-line colleagues across the Council.
You will be someone who can operate comfortably at every level, whether discussing strategic priorities with Ministers, working alongside elected members, negotiating with investors and developers, or listening to the experiences of colleagues delivering services on the ground. Your ability to build trust, influence decisions and bring people together around a shared agenda will be critical.
We are looking for a leader who is authentic, pragmatic and collaborative. Someone who enjoys being visible, understands the realities of service delivery and is prepared to roll up their sleeves to help remove barriers and drive progress. You will be as credible in the boardroom as you are on a depot visit, combining strategic leadership with a genuine understanding of operational delivery.
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You will bring a track record of strategic leadership in a complex environment and a reputation for achieving results through others. We are less interested in where your experience has been gained and more interested in the impact you have made. You may currently work in the commercial sector, local government housing, infrastructure, economic development, the wider public sector or a similarly complex organisation.
Most importantly, you will combine commercial thinking with creativity, energy and ambition. You will be excited by the opportunity to shape places, drive growth, attract investment and lead transformational change on a significant scale.
For the right individual, this is a career-defining opportunity. A chance to shape the future of one of Wales' most distinctive places, deliver lasting benefits for communities and businesses, and leave a legacy that will be felt for generations.
If you are motivated by the opportunity to make a mark, lead on issues that matter and help define what Pembrokeshire becomes over the next generation, we'd love to hear from you.
For further information, please click Apply.
For a confidential discussion, please contact our executive search partners at GatenbySanderson: Sophie Williams (0113 205 6069) or Gary Evans (07809 195593).
Closing Date 9am Monday 12 October 2026
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