The job with a £200k salary to lead Oldham through turbulent times
Oldham is searching for a new permanent chief executive with a salary up to £200k to lead the borough through rapid change, following Harry Catherall's departure to Tameside council. The role involves financial leadership, promoting Oldham, and emergency planning amid ongoing challenges like historic child sexual exploitation inquiries and a major regeneration project.
Oldham Council launched its hunt for a new permanent chief executive this week, posting a vacancy that promises up to £200,623 to guide “a place of contrasts” through rapid change.
The search follows the December 2024 departure of Harry Catherall, who left to take the helm at neighbouring Tameside Council and attempt to turn around its failing children’s services. Catherall currently maintains a “timeshare” arrangement with Oldham, spending one day a week in the town hall while acting chief Shelley Kipling covers the other four, but that deal expires in April.
Applicants must show “a proven record of senior strategic leadership in complex, high-profile environments” and be prepared to work full-time on a salary band of £179,420 to £200,623. According to the advert published on the council’s website, the successful candidate will become “accountable for the effective financial leadership” of the borough, lead emergency planning and act as a public champion for Oldham.
The recruitment drive comes as the authority grapples with fallout from national scrutiny of historic child sexual exploitation inquiries and pushes forward with a £multi-million regeneration scheme that pledges to “save the dying high street” and deliver 2,000 new homes in the town centre. Interviews are scheduled to finish by 21 February, with Full Council expected to approve the appointment on 6 March.
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