Opportunities

Harrogate Town Council, which will come into existence on 1 April 2025, wishes to appoint a Clerk/RFO with strong and proven leadership skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of people including the public, members of the Council and external bodies.  The contract term is 1 April 2025 to 30 September 2025.

The post holder must be able to drive the Council’s plans and ambitions for the Town of Harrogate forward and be able to develop a business or forward plan for the authority, with particular focus on future responsibilities for administration, operations, assets and facilities.  Ten allotment sites are being passed to the Council upon its creation and the Clerk will have responsibility for liaising with the various Allotment Associations currently overseeing them.

The successful applicant will be instrumental in the effective preparedness for the new Town Council after 1 May 2025 (election day), by drafting/establishing policies and practices for the new authority, including financial systems, and will work with North Yorkshire Council officers until the new Town Councillors take up office.

The interim Clerk will guide the authority in a recruitment process for a permanent Clerk and RFO, plus other staff as deemed necessary by the Council.

The applicant must be able to demonstrate an ability to manage staff in an effective manner, and be able to work positively and constructively with town councillors, the principal authority and its councillors, the public, external partners, stakeholders and the community. They also need to have effective financial management skills and an ability to conduct difficult conversations with those who manage and compete for the Council’s resources.  A wide range of skills is needed for the post, which are set out in the job description and person specification.

Salary: National Joint Council Scale LC4, Spinal column point range 46-49, (£56,708 to £60,903).

The recruitment process for this post is being managed by the Yorkshire Local Councils Associations.

For an application pack, please e-mail: [email protected]