Chief Executive Officer

Location: Hybrid working (the Authority’s premises, primarily King’s Lynn, home working and deployment within the district, including on Authority vessels where required)

Hours: Normally 37 hours per week. As the Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, you will be expected to manage your working time flexibly to meet the needs of the role.

Contract: Permanent, subject to a 6-month probationary period

Salary: £71,739 with annual incremental progression to £84,060

Benefits:

• Option of a vehicle for business and personal use
• Local Government Pension Scheme (defined benefits with employer contributions)
• Annual leave – 29 days on appointment increasing to 32 days in line with continuous local government service
• Occupational sick pay scheme
• Flexible working arrangements

About Eastern IFCA

Eastern IFCA is one of England’s largest Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities, covering the coastline from Lincolnshire to Suffolk and six nautical miles offshore. We are responsible for balancing the sustainable management of fisheries with the protection of nationally and internationally important marine environments.

The Role

The forthcoming retirement of our current Chief Executive Officer marks the end of a successful chapter for Eastern IFCA and the beginning of an exciting new one. We are now looking for a leader to build on those strong foundations and guide the Authority through its next chapter.

As CEO, you will provide strategic and operational leadership, ensuring the Authority delivers its statutory responsibilities and achieves its vision for sustainable fisheries and marine conservation. You will lead a dedicated team, oversee governance and financial management, and represent Eastern IFCA with government, industry, environmental organisations and local communities.

This is a unique opportunity to influence marine and fisheries management at both local and national levels.

About You

You will be an experienced senior leader with a track record of delivering results in complex stakeholder environments. You will bring:

• Strong strategic leadership and management experience
• Financial management and governance expertise
• Excellent communication and partnership-building skills
• Experience leading organisational improvement and change
• Sound judgement, resilience and political awareness
• A commitment to public service and environmental sustainability

Experience in marine, environmental, regulatory or enforcement sectors would be an advantage, but we welcome candidates with transferable leadership experience from other fields.

Join Us

If you are an ambitious and inspiring leader looking to make a lasting impact on the future of England’s coastal waters and fisheries, we would like to hear from you.

Closing Date: 23 September 2026

Further information: Full details of the role, selection process and application form can be found on our website.