Current Vacancies
Chief Executive Officer
Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority
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
Closing Date: Wednesday 23 September 2026
About Eastern IFCA
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.
Eastern IFCA is one of the largest of England’s ten Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities. Our district extends from Haile Sand Fort in Lincolnshire to Felixstowe in Suffolk and six nautical miles offshore. The area contains internationally important marine habitats, significant commercial fisheries, and some of the busiest marine waters in the UK.
The Authority operates in a challenging and rewarding environment, balancing the sustainable management of inshore fisheries with the conservation of the marine environment whilst working closely with industry, environmental organisations, coastal communities and government partners.
About the Role
As Chief Executive Officer, you will be the Authority’s Head of Service, providing strategic and operational leadership across all areas of the organisation. You will be responsible for delivering the Authority’s vision, fulfilling its statutory responsibilities and ensuring the effective management of people, resources, vessels, finances and organisational performance.
You will lead a dedicated team of officers, promoting a culture of professionalism, collaboration, safety and continuous improvement, while ensuring the Authority delivers high-quality outcomes for fisheries, the marine environment and coastal communities.
As the Authority’s Responsible Financial Officer and Clerk, you will oversee financial planning and governance arrangements, ensuring lawful, effective and accountable decision-making and the prudent management of a budget of approximately £2 million.
The role also provides an opportunity to influence fisheries and marine environmental management at both local and national levels. You will represent Eastern IFCA in discussions with government departments, regulators, local authorities, industry representatives and environmental organisations, helping to shape policy and promote the Authority’s work across England’s inshore fisheries sector.
About You
We are seeking an accomplished and inspirational leader with substantial senior leadership experience and a proven ability to operate successfully within a complex stakeholder environment.
You will be able to demonstrate:
- Experience in strategic and operational leadership.
- Experience of financial planning, budget management and organisational governance.
- Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Experience of leading organisational development, change and continuous improvement.
- The ability to build effective partnerships and work collaboratively with a wide range of interests.
- Sound judgement, integrity, resilience and political awareness.
- A commitment to sustainable fisheries, environmental stewardship and public service.
- The ability to travel throughout the district and nationally as required.
- A current full UK driving licence and the right to work in the UK.
Knowledge or experience of marine, environmental, fisheries management, regulatory or enforcement environments would be advantageous, although applications are welcomed from candidates able to demonstrate transferable leadership experience from other sectors.
Join Us
This is a unique leadership opportunity to make a lasting contribution to the sustainable management of one of England’s important marine regions. If you are a strategic leader with the vision, resilience and ambition to lead a respected and influential public body, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Additional Information
The successful applicant will be expected to receive appropriate training to become a warranted Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Officer and will be required to pass both a Baseline Personnel Security Standard check and an ENG1 or ML5 Seafarers medical.
Selection Process
It is anticipated that the selection process for shortlisted candidates will be held in two stages. The first will be on 8 and 9 October 2026 and the second on 12 and 13 October 2026. The first stage will be a practical task followed by a structured in-person interview with a small panel. The second stage will be a pre-prepared online presentation to a wider panel that will include Authority members who will be representative of stakeholder perspectives.
Candidates Pack and Application
To access the candidate’s information pack and to make an application please click here
The closing date for applications is Wednesday 23 September 2026
For an informal discussion about the role please contact Julian Gregory on 01553 775321 or e-mail: juliangregory@eastern-ifca.gov.uk