Wokingham Borough Council has an ambitious agenda over the coming years with the Economic Development and Growth team playing a key central role in the Borough. This post will provide strategic leadership on the Council’s Economic Development and Skills Strategies, working with other internal services and external partners to formulate creative solutions and long-term approaches to ensure that there is a strong local economy, and that the root causes of poverty and inequality through unemployment and lack of skills are addressed. The approach needs to be intelligence led, with targeted interventions and support, with a constant eye to spotting and realising new funding streams. The role is critical to ensuring we use real networking engagement and business intelligence to support a whole Council-wide approach to growth, productivity and economic success, linking partner aspirations together.

The postholder will also play a lead role in the development of economic policy for towns centres and their highstreets and ensure that the economy is supported in all the Council`s policies including regeneration, planning and development.

You will be an experienced economic development professional, with a strong understanding of economic policy and applying this to local areas to stimulate growth. You will have a strong knowledge of and ability to interpret complex economic information, policy and guidance to inform the development of local strategies, policies and procedures, as well as managing complex economic development projects and programmes. You will be able to demonstrate your ability to put economic development into place making – including promoting the role of economic development in regeneration and growth schemes. You will have significant experience working at a senior level within a local authority Economic Development or regeneration team, with demonstrable experience of successful partnership working with businesses, organisations and agencies that support economic development.

For an informal, confidential discussion about this role, please contact the recruiting manager Rhian Hayes, Assistant Director Economic Development and Growth at [email protected]

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