Interim Lead and Programme Director – Cumbria Economic Growth Team

Description

Contract: Fixed Term 8 months

From 1st April 2024 Cumberland Council, working in collaboration with Westmorland and Furness Council, has taken on the responsibility for hosting a new Cumbria Economic Growth Team who will work across Cumbria and deliver targeted economic programmes that seek to improve opportunities and inclusive growth across the functional economic area.

As the Interim Lead and Programme Director you will provide independent support, leadership, and vision for the next steps in the transition to a new approach to economic growth for the Functional Economic Area of Cumbria. You will lead the transition of programmes and functions to a new local authority led model, consulting and engaging with key businesses and representative organisations to incorporate the voice of business in future arrangements.

In addition, you will ensure a smooth transition of the Cumbria-wide core economic functions formerly delivered by CLEP namely business representation, strategic economic planning, and to collaborate with partners to support the successful development and implementation of a new Cumbria Economic Strategy.

This is a fantastic opportunity for the right person to work collaboratively with the private, public sector and third sector and with local, regional, and national partners, delivering government programmes for the best outcomes for the residents of Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness.

About this opportunity

As the lead of the LEP integration, you will work collaboratively with Cumberland Council, Westmorland and Furness Council, current LEP Board, the future Economic Growth Board for Cumbria, Public, Private and Third Sector, and other relevant organisations, utilising the extensive knowledge, skills, and collective capacity in Cumbria.

This is a particularly exciting time to join the team collaborating with partners to support the successful development and implementation of a new Cumbria Economic Growth Strategy. Ensuring the strategy considers the business and community needs and opportunities across both local authority areas, to promote business growth, sustainability, inward investment, innovation, and enterprise.

You will have the opportunity to create an empowering, enterprising, modern, and compassionate learning culture that enables the Cumbria Economic Growth team to perform at their best and therefore deliver sustainable and inclusive economic growth in the Cumbria region.

Who are we looking for?

The ideal candidate will have:

• Substantial and successful senior leadership experience in the economic policy arena, leading in economic strategies and initiatives with a breadth of understanding of all areas that the role covers, and strong knowledge of the local economy and its opportunities and challenges.
• Proven ability to understand the interdependencies between economic policy and interventions to support inclusive economic growth. With strong organisational and political acumen, the ability to collaborate with elected Members, private sectors, and interest groups to build consensus.
• Experience of corporate governance and Board responsibility and experience of managing complex stakeholder relationships and have an ability to establish effective, positive working relationships with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders at a local, regional, and national level.

If this sounds like you, then please get in touch.

If you would like to find out more or have an informal conversation about this role, please contact Darren.Crossley@Cumberland.gov.uk (Director of Place, Sustainable Growth and Transport) on contract number 07958549852.

What we can offer you!

• Excellent training and development opportunities.
• Flexible working
• Opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Boost your pension with Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (facilitated by AVC Wise).
• Various rewards and discounts schemes
• Competitive rates of pay.

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