Shepton council seeks two senior recruits

By Laura Linham 8th Jul 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 1 hour ago

Shepton Mallet Town Council is looking to fill two of the most important jobs, with senior posts advertised to oversee council business, finances and day-to-day operations.

The council is recruiting for a Chief Officer, also known as the Town Clerk, and a Deputy Chief Officer and Responsible Financial Officer.

The appointments matter because these are the officers who help turn council decisions into action, keep meetings and governance on track, and make sure public money is managed properly. Between them, the two roles cover everything from the Town Plan and councillor advice to budgets, audits, payroll and compliance.

The Chief Officer post is the senior job, with responsibility for the effective, lawful and strategic operation of Shepton Mallet Town Council. The permanent full-time role is for 37 hours a week and carries a salary of £44,075 to £57,139 on SCP33-45.

The person appointed will advise councillors, oversee delivery of the Town Plan, manage staff and communications, and represent the council at meetings, events and local government forums. The role also includes preparing council and committee agendas, attending meetings, producing minutes, handling official correspondence and preparing reports on projects and progress.

The Chief Officer will also be expected to oversee risk management, statutory compliance, democratic services, organisational resilience and performance management. Media statements and press releases will be prepared in consultation with the chair of the council.

The second post, Deputy Chief Officer and Responsible Financial Officer, is also permanent and full-time, with a 37-hour week and a salary of £39,862 to £42,839 on SCP29-32. Hybrid working may be considered for administrative parts of the role.

That job puts the successful candidate close to the council's financial engine room, supporting the Chief Officer while overseeing financial management. Responsibilities include finance administration, payroll and pensions, charity accounts, budgeting, earmarked reserves, banking and investments.

The deputy role also covers audit oversight and AGAR, policies and financial regulations, line management, service level agreements, the asset register, rent reviews and compliance. The council says the post requires strong financial acumen, meticulous attention to detail and the ability to manage a range of administrative tasks.

Applications for the Chief Officer post were due by midnight on Thursday, 2 July 2026, with interviews scheduled for the week commencing Monday, 13 July 2026. Applications for the Deputy Chief Officer and Responsible Financial Officer post close at midnight on Friday, 10 July 2026, with interviews due in the week commencing Monday, 20 July 2026.

Candidates are asked to submit Application Form Section A and Application Form Section B to [email protected]. Full details are included in the Chief Officer Recruitment Pack 2026 and the Deputy – RFO Recruitment Pack 2026.