Chief Executive Officer
Description
- Job grade: SCS Pay Band 2
- Contract type: Permanent
- Type of role: Senior leadership
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Number of jobs available: 1
Location
About the job
Job summary
Job description
The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) is the government’s marine and freshwater science agency, providing the evidence and expertise needed to support healthier ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and a resilient economy. As an Executive Agency of Defra, Cefas brings together applied science, data and operational capability to inform decisions on some of society’s most complex environmental challenges. Its work spans food security, clean energy, aquatic animal health and climate resilience, with partnerships across government, industry and academia both nationally and internationally. The organisation is now entering an important new chapter, modernising its scientific capabilities and investing in infrastructure, including a new research vessel.
Cefas are seeking an inspiring and visionary leader to lead the organisation through its next phase of development. Reporting to Defra’s Director General for Environment, you will set strategic direction, champion scientific excellence and ensure that Cefas’s evidence and advice deliver lasting public value.
This is one of the most significant scientific leadership roles in Defra Group. You will bring together scientists, policymakers and partners to ensure that trusted evidence supports government priorities and informs decisions nationally and internationally. You will oversee delivery of a new research vessel, modernise the use of data and technology, and strengthen the organisation’s capacity to respond to marine and freshwater emergencies. As Accounting Officer, you will ensure strong governance, financial stewardship and organisational performance while building an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing culture.
The successful candidate will bring a strong track record of leading a complex organisation through significant change, alongside the judgement and credibility to engage senior stakeholders and specialist teams. A scientific background is not essential, but you will demonstrate an appreciation of how science and evidence inform decisions. You will have experience of overseeing major capital or infrastructure programmes coupled with the ability to build influential partnerships across organisational and sector boundaries.
This is a rare opportunity to lead a nationally important organisation with an international reputation at a pivotal moment. Cefas’s science will help shape the future of our rivers, seas and oceans, balancing environmental recovery with economic prosperity. As Chief Executive, you will play a central role in ensuring that this expertise delivers lasting benefits for nature and society.
Person specification
We are looking for an inspiring and visionary leader who can set a clear direction, bring people with them and ensure Cefas’s science delivers exceptional public
value. Cefas is seeking an exceptional organisational leader. Candidates do not need to be scientists themselves (although those with scientific backgrounds are
welcome to apply), but they must be able to lead a specialist scientific organisation, command credibility with technical experts and ensure that science and
evidence are translated into practical outcomes. Candidates will need to demonstrate the following experience and capabilities:
Essential Criteria
Strategic Leadership
• Evidence of setting a clear strategic direction and translating ambitious goals into measurable results.
• A strong track record of leading a complex organisation through significant change, growth or transformation.
Science and Evidence
• A strong appreciation of how science, evidence and data inform policy and decision-making, combined with intellectual curiosity and a genuine interest in Cefas’s mission.
• Evidence of engaging credibly and constructively with scientists, policymakers and specialist stakeholders. Influence and Partnerships
• Experience of building productive relationships and achieving results across organisational or sector boundaries.
• Evidence of operating effectively with senior stakeholders and representing an organisation with authority.
• A track record of influencing effectively nationally and internationally.
People Leadership
• A record of inspiring, developing and empowering a diverse workforce.
• Evidence of building an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing culture.
• A leadership style that creates trust, encourages constructive challenge and embeds innovation in organisational strategy and delivery.
Organisational Performance
• Experience of overseeing organisational performance, governance and robust financial management in a complex environment.
• Delivery of efficiency improvements and modernisation of critical services.
• Experience of providing executive leadership and oversight of major capital or infrastructure programmes, holding delivery leaders to account for cost, timetable, risk and outcomes.
• Confidence in navigating government scrutiny and assurance processes, providing clear accountability for major investment decisions and programme delivery.
Desirable
• Experience of working at the interface between science, policy and regulation.
• An understanding of the opportunities presented by data and technology innovation for improving outcome delivery and increasing efficiency.
• Knowledge of how environmental and natural assets connect with economic growth, trade, food security, climate resilience and sustainability.
The challenges facing our rivers, seas and ocean will shape food security, energy resilience, nature recovery and prosperity for the next generation. As Chief Executive, you will lead Cefas at the heart of these decisions, shaping our future and ensuring our science drives lasting change. If you have the vision and ambition to lead this vital work, we invite you to help shape the next chapter.
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Selection process details
Our selection process is designed to be insightful and supportive, giving you a clear view of the organisation while allowing us to understand your strengths and leadership style. The selection panel for this role will be chaired by Civil Service Commissioner, Ruth Hunt.
The selection process will be as follows;
- The closing date for applications will be midday on Monday 16th November 2026
- A longlist of the applications will take place during the week of 23rd November 2026.
- Longlisted candidates will be invited to informal interviews with Saxton Bampfylde.
- A shortlist of the applications will then take place during the week of 14th December 2026.
- Full details about the assessment process will be provided to shortlisted candidates.
- Panel interviews are scheduled for 19th January 2027.
Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection
process as it may not be possible to offer any alternative dates for assessments or interviews.
The panel will consist of:
- Ruth Hunt, Civil Service Commissioner
- Sally Randall, Director General for Environment
- Richard Lewis, CEO, APHA
Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to Cefas on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit roles.saxbam.com using reference OCCHA.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Saxbam
- Email : maria.dodson@saxbam.com
Recruitment team
- Email : maria.dodson@saxbam.com
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