Authority in the north west of England is inviting applications for a senior executive post with leadership responsibilities including driving innovation in public services while exploiting potential sources of revenue

Cumberland Council is offering a six-figure salary for a new innovation chief to support tech transformation while improving services and increasing revenue.

The authority, which was created in 2023 to replace several previous borough and city councils, is advertising a vacant post as chief innovation and commercial officer. The role offers an annual salary of between £113,434 and £127,225 and sits within the organisation’s senior leadership team.

The successful candidate will be the council’s primary leader “for key functions including ICT, digital, and corporate assets, [who will] work across departments to create a culture of innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement — all while delivering real value to our communities”, according to the job advert.

Related content

• ‘Local authorities can become the orchestrators of change’
• London boroughs seek £150k digital chief to help shape ‘future of half a million people’
• ‘Councils are at the forefront of embracing and utilising digital tech’ – how the LGA is bringing SME innovation to local government

The postholder will be expected to “champion innovation and entrepreneurial thinking across the council, drive revenue growth while maintaining exceptional public service quality, [and] support assistant directors in the development of key strategies related to ICT, digital transformation, and corporate asset management”.

The innovation leader will also have a remit to “cultivate strategic partnerships across local, national, and international networks”, as well as being asked to “translate political vision into transformative, community-focused initiatives”.

Applications are open until 13 May and the authority ultimately hopes to appoint “a strategic and commercially savvy leader who thrives in complex environments and knows how to turn ambition into action”.

Bearing the name of the historic county of Cumberland, the council replaced previous borough or city authorities for Carlise, Copeland and Allerdale, as well as taking on some duties from the former Cumbria County Council.

It serves a population of 275,000 people, near England’s north-west border with Scotland, and includes the market towns of Cockermouth, Keswick and Brampton.