Title

WORKFORCE

Chief Executive

Chief Executive

West Dorset District Council and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council

Salary up to £115,000

We are looking for a strong, inspirational and decisive leader for West Dorset District Council and
Weymouth & Portland Borough Council.

Our ground breaking shared services partnership was recently recognised by the Local Government
Association as "leading edge".

Our area is home to national brands such as Dorset Cereals, Clipper Teas, New Look and Sunseeker.
Our stunning Jurassic Coastline has just been showcased to a potential global TV audience of 4 billion
during the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Sailing events.

Despite financial challenges our ambition for 2012 is to be an expanding organisation with a
commercial focus which demonstrates Dorset is "open for business"

We need an exceptional role model with the passion and energy to provide a common vision for our
shared workforce and lead the two sovereign councils through a challenging programme of
transformation and change to achieve our ambitions for the area.

You will provide the visible leadership which engages employees and fosters an organisational culture
capable of delivering change, innovation and the highest standards on behalf of our communities.

For more about our 2020 vision, our stunning area with its outstanding natural environment, and to find
out more about this position visit this website

For a confidential discussion contact Bryony Houlden, Chief Executive of South West Councils, on
01823 270101 or email bryony.houlden@SWCouncils.gov.uk Ian Morgan, Head of HR Services, South
West Councils, is available in Bryony's absence on the same number.

Closing date for applications:
Before noon on 27 January 2014.

Interviews are planned for 18 and 19 February in Weymouth or Dorchester

 

WORKFORCE

Ensuring people take pride of place

By Andrew Laird | 17 March 2026

To successfully deliver the Pride in Place programme communities need to be prioritised in both governance and delivery, say Professor Donna Hall and Andrew ...

WORKFORCE

Borough appoints chief operating officer

By Martin Ford | 04 March 2026

King’s Lynn & West Norfolk BC has appointed Emma Kavanagh as chief operating officer.

WORKFORCE

Buckinghamshire announces chief executive

By Martin Ford | 26 February 2026

Buckinghamshire Council has confirmed the appointment of Zina Etheridge as its new chief executive.

WORKFORCE

The Top 10 councils powering ahead on productivity

By Ann McGauran | 05 February 2026

Local government’s leadership may be dealing with a maelstrom of challenges, but the councils whose productivity performance has earned them a place in the I...