Job title: Chief Officer Economy and Skills

Salary: £96,315 - £105,742

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Leeds

As our Chief Officer Economy and Skills you will relish the opportunity to champion Leeds and secure the long-term future of the city as a place of opportunity for citizens and business alike.

You will be a member of the leadership team in our City Development directorate, which has wide-ranging responsibilities across Leeds that cover the economy, jobs and skills, built environment, transport, culture and sport. The role will have a key focus on the growth of our key sectors of Financial & Professional Service, Digital and Health, all under pinned by our innovation strength.

In this newly framed role of Chief Officer Economy and Skills you will prioritise inclusive growth in Leeds to build an economy that works for everyone in our city. This can only be achieved through a whole city and region approach, and you will be key to bringing together city partners spanning the private, public and voluntary sectors to strive for this shared goal as an international city.

At Leeds City Council we have a culture of excellence and are continually striving to drive up standards. We are building on the recommendations of a positive peer review in November 2022 to help us deliver the next phase of our Leeds Ambitions.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As our Chief Officer Economy and Skills, you will be qualified to postgraduate level in a relevant subject area, or have equivalent experience. In addition you will bring to the role:

• substantial experience at senior level in the service area or a related setting of Economic Development
• in-depth understanding of the legislative, strategic and policy context of inclusive economic growth and innovation
• evidence of success in driving partnership programmes to deliver cross-sector priorities
• strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate and raise the profile of the council and the city regionally, nationally and internationally
• sound judgment and reasoned decision-making with experience of operating in a political environment

About the role

As our Chief Officer Economy and Skills, you have an exciting opportunity to shape the future of Leeds. With your compelling record and innovative approach, you can make a real difference for residents and their communities, businesses and everyone who visits or works in the city. The service covers Economic Development and Policy, Business Support, Innovation, International Relations, Inward Investment, Visitor Economy and Employment and Skills.

This is a high-profile role at the heart of collaborative efforts to develop our city for the better. You will lead teams in City Development dedicated to delivering our Inclusive Growth Strategy alongside key partners, whether through creating new jobs, supporting businesses, growing economic sectors, promoting enterprise or developing economic policy.

Alongside driving economic growth, a key strand to this work is skills development and supporting people into jobs. Our Ofsted outstanding Employment and Skills service supports local people into work, training or education opportunities. The service also works with businesses to help them recruit, retain and develop a skilled and inclusive workforce and contribute to the city's economic growth.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements

• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

For further information, please request a candidate information pack by emailing recruitment@leeds.gov.uk. 

How to apply

Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words stating how you meet the requirements of the role.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like to arrange an informal chat with Angela Barnicle, Director of City Development, about the role, please contact pa.directorcitydev@Leeds.gov.uk

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose Lead the strategic direction of the Council economic policies and strategies to deliver inclusive growth across Leeds.  Promoting Leeds as a global city, a great place to live, learn, work, visit and invest, advocating for and supporting businesses to enable a resilient future and providing opportunities for people to develop skills, get into good work, innovate and thrive.

Responsibilities 

• Play a key role in interpreting, shaping and implementing policy at international, national, regional and local level, through a range of formal and informal networks including but not limited to Core Cities, Innovation Networks and the Inclusive Growth Network.

• Provide strategic leadership, advice and expertise to decision makers across the Council on Economic Development matters.

• Work with key partners at national, regional and local level (including the MCA, HE&FE, Government and Business) and in collaboration with colleagues and partners, support the delivery of real economic change across the city.

• Work across the Council to implement and deliver economic and skills programmes including ecosystem and sector development into place propositions.

• Delivery of key employment and skills, innovation, business support, economic strategy and policy, and visitor destination partnerships, for the success of the city.

• Promote and maximise opportunities to enhance the economy and support local employment (for example through facilitating the delivery of major investments in the city).

• Support the Director by leading a major area of the Directorate to ensure delivery of Best Value services to customers, to meet the objectives of the Council Corporate Plan and comply with Government Standards.

• Monitor and review the achievement of targets and activity and take action to ensure targets are met and improvements achieved.

• Lead on the relationship with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority on Economic Development and Policy, Business Support, Employment and Skills and Destination Marketing including inward investment.

• Ensure that the Council has strong strategic relationships with businesses, providing advocacy and support particularly in key sectors including digital, financial and professional services, health and manufacturing and with business representative organisations (e.g. Chamber of Commerce and CBI).

• Develop and nurture key partnerships in support of the delivery of inclusive growth. Specifically, ensure the success of the Leeds Anchors Network, the Business Anchors Network, the Leeds Innovation Partnership and the Future Talent Board.

• Play a key role in the Best Council Leadership Team and actively support the Council Corporate Leadership Team in ensuring our organisational developments and improvements remain focused on delivering improved outcomes for local people.

• Meet agreed objectives as laid out in Council and Directorate plans ensuring compliance with legislation and, where appropriate, national standards, in pursuit of excellence in service delivery.

• Lead managers within the service to develop a high performing workforce and manage resources to achieve service and overarching objectives in line with the city agreed prioritisation.

• Undertake effective consultation and engagement activities and communications with staff, service users, councillors, trade unions, partners and other stakeholders in accordance with Council policy.

• Support open, responsive and accountable government, ensuring governance compliance with financial and procurement procedures.

• Lead, promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement and human resource areas, focussing on equality of outcome.

• Manage all aspects of risk and be accountable for the safety of staff, service users and contractors in accordance with all statutory obligations and relevant health and safety policies.

• As a member of Strategic Leadership Team, to support the Director and other Chief Officers in the achievement of city wide outcomes.

• Actively drive and deliver continuous improvement initiatives taking the strategic lead in developing the service in the context of city, regional and national priorities.

• Lead and contribute to cross Council projects, collaborative working with partners and supporting Directorate Management Teams.

• Actively support Corporate Management Team in achieving continuous improvement across the Council and; as a member of Directorate Management team, develop and implement initiatives to support continuous improvement in the Directorate Services.

• Work with elected members, service users, community representatives and other stakeholders in ways which support open, responsive and accountable government providing appropriate advice relating to the work of the Directorate to Members and council officers so as to manage risk and support them in their respective roles.

• In line with the Budget Management Accountability Framework to be responsible and accountable for developing appropriate, proportionate and effective financial solutions to be implemented across the Directorate.

• Set and deliver transformational goals with broad perspectives and long term timelines, which maximises effective resource management, ensures financial compliance and is responsive to sector and city priorities. Plans are in place to meet priorities; budgets are maximised and there is an efficient and sustainable use of resources.

• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate to the grade.

Qualifications Relevant Degree and post graduate qualification together with in depth experience at a senior level within the service area or relevant environment is essential.

Working Context - Post holders will work flexibly both at home and at various locations across the City and region. All colleagues should work in line with our hybrid working principles and spend regular time in the workplace to support service delivery, meeting the needs of the team and the requirements of their individual role.  The hours are worked mainly Monday to Friday. However, the post holder will be expected to work outside normal working hours, including attendance at evening/weekend meetings or events if required to meet the needs of the service.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Able to raise the profile of Leeds nationally and internationally to attract inward investment, support trade, enhance the city reputation and grow the visitor economy.

• Able to make reasoned and logical decisions allied with high level organisational skills.

• Able to take responsibility, through concurrent delegation authority arrangements, for relevant statutory economic development and employment and skills related matters.

• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the legislative, strategic and policy context of inclusive economic growth.

• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the current local, regional and national issues and the legislative and political context relating to the specified portfolio areas.

• Demonstrate knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, policies, inspections and performance information and relevant strategic functions e.g. health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection.

• Detailed knowledge and understanding of economic strategy and policy, understanding of local government political systems and experience of working on politically sensitive issues including significant experience of developing productive working relationships with Council Members, trade unions and Corporate Leadership Team.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate and establish credibility for the Council and the service.

• Evidence of working in a multi-agency environment and of forging and driving successful partnership programmes to deliver cross sector priorities and outcomes.

• Experience of successful leadership and management of large scale complex change programmes with an understanding of the strategic issues that face integrated work.

• Significant successful senior leadership experience.

• Substantial experience of operating in a political environment.

• Extensive experience of exercising sound judgement and providing clear advice at senior level.

• Experience of developing and implementing highly complex strategies leading to successful outcomes

Behavioural & other Characteristics required.

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and code of conduct.

• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Leeds Ambitions of Health and Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth, Strong Communities and Sustainable City.

• Committed to developing the ability to use digital tools and technology at, or above, the foundation skills level on the government Essential digital skills framework.

• Be aware of promote and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection.

• Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the behaviours, values and standards of Leeds City Council.

• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.

• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.

• Lead a positive Health, Safety, Wellbeing and Fire (HSWF) culture, ensuring statutory compliance and effective risk management through implementation of council policies, and proactive leadership alongside support services.

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