Executive Director, Growth, Business & Skills

Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority

£139,455 - £160,115

Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority is at the beginning of an exciting journey. As one of England's newest strategic authorities, we are creating the leadership capacity needed to turn ambitious plans for devolution, growth and prosperity into tangible outcomes for residents, businesses and communities.

The Executive Director of Growth, Business & Skills will be the senior leader responsible for transforming strategy into action. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will lead a broad portfolio spanning business growth, skills and employment, housing and planning, investment, infrastructure, energy and the environment. Your immediate priorities will include preparing for the devolution of the Adult Skills Fund, leading major housing and growth partnerships, modernising business support across the region and developing an ambitious pipeline of programmes and investments that deliver measurable impact.

We are seeking an accomplished delivery leader with experience of mobilising complex programmes, building high-performing teams and working successfully across organisational and political boundaries. You will bring the credibility to engage with government, local authorities, employers, providers and investors, alongside the resilience and judgement required to operate in a high-profile and evolving political environment.

If you are motivated by creating change at scale and excited by the opportunity to build a new organisation while delivering lasting economic and social impact, this is a career-defining opportunity to help shape the future of Hampshire and the Solent.

For a confidential discussion please contact our executive search partners GatenbySanderson: Emily Lockwood (07384 258626) or Seb Lowe (07464 543442).

Closing Date: 29th October 2026

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Recruitment Timetable

Closing date
Thursday 29th October (11:59pm)

Long listing
Tuesday 3rd November

Preliminary interviews
W/C 2nd November

Short listing
Tuesday 10th November

Final panel
W/C 16th November

How to Apply

• Please submit your CV along with a Supporting Statement addressing the person specification criteria, evidencing how you meet the criteria.
• Detail any employment or education gaps.
• Be ready to provide the names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees; one should be your current or most recent employer. Referees will be contacted for those proceeding to final stages. We will always gain your permission before we contact referees.
• Let us know any difficulty you may have with the indicative timetable.
• Check that your contact details are correct before you submit.

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automated email confirmation. If you do not receive, please email contactus@gatenbysanderson.com