Leeds is home to a thriving and dynamic economy, with huge potential for future growth. As our Director of City Development you will relish the opportunity to champion Leeds, its economy and physical infrastructure, securing the long-term future of the city as an attractive and vibrant place for citizens and business.
You will take the lead as the city’s representative to build stronger and productive partnerships with the business community and key partners, promoting the ongoing development of the city of Leeds as a key commercial and cultural centre within the Yorkshire and Humber region.
You will be responsible for the economic growth of the city including regeneration work, support to businesses and jobs and skills, in addition to planning, asset management, highways, museums, galleries, sports and leisure, markets and cultural events.
You should be someone who collaborates well and has credibility across the private, public and voluntary sectors – working with colleagues, partners, and residents to understand the needs and potential contribution each could make to Leeds’ future growth. You will take a whole city approach and collaborate with external partners, including the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and Leeds Business Anchors. You should also have experience of leadership within a ‘high support, high challenge’ culture and a sound knowledge and understanding of the development, economic and cultural sectors.
At Leeds City Council we want the best for our city and each other, 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 Best City Ambition.
Leeds is an ambitious city and if you can offer a compelling record and the desire to build on good practice, it is the ideal place to influence and shape innovation.
To apply, please upload your CV and personal statement via our job site ensuring your application reflects the requirements of the role as outlined in the role profile.
To arrange a discussion with Ed Whiting, Leeds City Council Chief Executive, about the role, please contact PA.ChiefExec@leeds.gov.uk
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - 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 and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Leeds City Council Job Profile
Special Conditions:
This position has been identified as a politically restricted post under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 therefore you will be restricted from political activity. In some cases it is possible to gain exemption for this provision.
Job purpose :
Provide strategic leadership, advice and expertise to decision makers. Working with key partners at national, regional and local level, the role will champion initiatives within the organisation and in collaboration with colleagues and partners, support the delivery of real change across the city.
Responsibilities
Strategic and statutory
* Oversee the statutory responsibilities of the Council as the Local Planning Authority; ensuring effective use of land.
* Oversee the development and regeneration of all areas within the City of Leeds and the successful delivery of major projects for the City.
* Ensure the effective delivery of services related to traffic, highways and transportation; improving infrastructure to meet statutory requirements and optimise partnerships across relevant sectors.
* Delivery of Sustainable Economy and Culture Partnership Priority Plans.
* Ensure all City Development activity is properly aligned to wider objectives of the Council regarding people and communities.
* Address the sustainability agenda including climate change issues.
Advocacy and Partnership
* Champion Leeds, its economy and physical infrastructure; securing the long-term future of the city as an attractive and vibrant place for citizens and business, promoting its continued economic success and competitiveness.
* Take the lead as the city’s representative to build stronger and productive partnerships with the business community and key partners.
* Provide strategic leadership, providing advice and expertise to decision makers across the Council.
* Work with key partners at national, regional and local level and in collaboration with colleagues and partners, support the delivery of real change across the city.
* Ensure services contribute to wider partnership objectives regarding the regional, national and the international role and profile of Leeds.
CLT and wider leadership
* In line with the Budget Management Accountability Framework ensure that effective budget management and control takes place across the Directorate and the planned level and quality of service provided is within revenue and capital budgets and that budget pressures are resolved.
* Lead, promote and deliver positive outcomes to achieving diversity and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement and human resource areas, focussing on equality of opportunity.
* Demonstrate active ownership of embedding a positive Equality, Diversity and Inclusion culture and ensuring adherence to the legal obligations of the organisation to the Equalities Act 2010.
* Make the health, safety and wellbeing of employees and others affected by our acts and omissions a top priority.
* To actively and visibly lead a positive Health, Safety, Wellbeing and Fire (HSWF) culture within areas of responsibility to ensure statutory compliance under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
* Implement the council wide Health, Safety, Wellbeing and Fire management framework and access support services to manage risk and support staff to be their best via robust systems, training and proactive leadership and aligning these with our director pledges.
* With an emphasis on strong leadership, this role operates within the context of the Best City Ambition and the city’s broader strategic objectives.
* 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 qualification or substantial experience in working in this field together with substantial senior leadership and management experience.
A professional qualification in a field relevant to the sectors covered by the post is desirable.
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. The Director of City Development is a member of the Corporate Leadership Team and as such will participate in the leadership on-call rota.
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
Strategy and innovation
* Evidence of successful strategic and operational resource management, including evaluating competing priorities within tight financial limits and managing progressive and innovative budgetary arrangements.
* Evidence of ability to make reasoned and logical decisions allied with high level organisational skills.
* Experience of developing and implementing highly complex strategies leading to successful outcomes.
Communication and engagement
* Able to work successfully with a wide range of stakeholders to develop, communicate and gain ownership of a shared vision and direction.
* Able to promote the Council, its reputation and status at a regional and national level.
* Evidence of taking the strategic lead in forging and driving successful partnerships with a wide range of internal and external bodies including governmental and non-governmental organisations, the private and voluntary sectors to successfully deliver cross sector projects.
* Excellent communication, networking, partnership and presentation skills with the ability to influence, negotiate and establish credibility across sectors to enhance reputation and form positive relationships.
* Extensive experience of exercising sound judgement and providing clear advice at senior level.
People and leadership
* Able to lead and embed a performance management culture that meets the needs of and engages with a range of diverse communities and staff.
* Evidence of significant successful senior leadership experience and a successful track record of leadership in a large multi-disciplinary organisation, with a developed understanding of the issues facing areas of accountability.
* Evidence of leading, shaping and influencing cutting edge thinking and innovative practice within current organisation.
* Experience of successful leadership and management of large-scale complex change programmes with an understanding of the strategic issues that face integrated work.
* Substantial experience of operating in a political environment.
* 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.
* Demonstrate knowledge and evidence examples of best practice for applicable legislation, regulations, policies, inspections and performance information and relevant strategic functions e.g. health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection.
* Commit to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
* Visibly promote a people first attitude and comply with Leeds City Council policies, management frameworks and procedures e.g., health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection.
* Be aware of and lead the agenda on supporting 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 compassionate leadership and compliance with relevant policies, and procedures.
* Able to understand, observe and lead the Leeds City Council agenda on equality and diversity policies and practices.
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