Westmorland and Furness Council together with Cumberland Council
Salary: £79,486 to £87,973 with an additional market supplement of £10,000
Hours: Full time (Part time options could be considered with a minimum of 3 days a week)
Location: Based in Penrith with hybrid working
Contract type: Fixed term until August 2026
The Role
This is an interesting time for Cumbria.
Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumberland Council have joined the Devolution Priority Programme, paving the way for a new Mayoral Combined Authority for Cumbria to be established in early 2026. Should both councils consent to the creation of the MCA, we are seeking a Programme Director to lead Cumbria’s engagement and to oversee the establishment of a MCA for Cumbria. This will be a fixed term role until August 2026.
In this important role, you will help to drive Cumbria’s engagement in the Devolution Priority Programme and will report directly to the Chief Executives of both Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumberland Council, as well as working very closely with the two council Leaders. The role will involve close working with the senior teams of both councils, as well as working collaboratively with private and public sector partners and directly with Government officials to shape devolution in Cumbria. This fascinating role will involve providing support and leadership to manage the process and decision making for the establishment of the MCA, as well as providing assurance and effective governance in relation to the requirements of the Devolution Priority Programme.
Cumbria is a beautiful and inspiring place to live and work. The economy is diverse, with key industries including defence and manufacturing, clean energy generation, tourism and agriculture. The region is home to several large employers such as BAE Systems, Sellafield and the University of Cumbria. There is potential here that can be unlocked. If the right agreement can be reached with Government, devolution offers a big opportunity to make a real difference to our economy and the lives of our communities.
Roles like this do not appear very often – we have already made very good progress and set the scene in terms of what is to come - we now seek the expertise of a senior leader who can implement the plans and help shape the direction of travel. This represents is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced, strategic leader with a thorough understanding of local government to play a significant role at a critical time for the whole of Cumbria – leaving a legacy that will last for generations to come.
Advert closing date: Sunday 11 May 2025, 23:59
Interview date: Technical interview: 15 May (remote); Final panel interview: 19 May 2025 (in Penrith)
