Address
SalaryTerms and Conditions: 37 hours, Permanent
Department: Chief Executive
Interview Date: w/c 12th February 2024
Blackburn with Darwen is a brilliant place to live and work, one with both challenges and exciting opportunities.
We are looking to fill the post of Corporate Strategy Manager (Growth & Economy) with an exceptional person who wants to be part of a committed team that finds solutions to our big issues and gains satisfaction and pride from making a real impact; delivering the best possible outcomes for our residents.
As the Council embarks on a new Corporate Plan and works towards a devolution deal with Government, we need an energetic, flexible and resilient candidate who has an exceptional track record of delivering within a fast-paced environment.
The successful candidate for this role will be excellent at building relationships with partners and stakeholders at senior levels and have the ability to drive change and transformation across a broad range of strategic issues.
This post is a critical part of the engine room that will enable our transformation journey to continue. If you have a track record in working in complex partnership structures and delivering on ambitious economic strategies, then we want to hear from you.
Our Economic Story
We are incredibly proud that Blackburn with Darwen is a growing borough. Prosperity is a necessary condition of a successful, healthy and thriving place. A strong economy which works for everyone is central to our overarching mission to change people’s lives for the better.
As a Council, we have a proven track record of being forward-thinking in delivering growth and we are working hard to unlock Blackburn with Darwen’s potential to be one of the most important economic centres in the North West.
Working with our key partners and investors, we have developed ambitious plans and strategies to position the borough as a place of economic scale and quality. Over the coming decade, with investment and support from Government, residents and businesses will see real and lasting change in the borough, with the potential to generate 100,000 jobs.
Our bold £1bn vision for the future is underpinned by the new Local Plan. Our plan for growth focuses on six strategic priorities, including the Blackburn Growth Axis which is set to be truly transformational – linking and building on key regional growth corridors and the benefits that the re-location of the National Cyber Force HQ to neighbouring Samlesbury will bring. This is a huge opportunity for the borough and a key aspect of our work around growth will be strengthening links with the NCF and ensuring the borough is an integral part of the Government’s new Northern Cyber Corridor running from Lancaster to Manchester.
A £250m masterplan for Blackburn town centre also sits at the very heart of the Growth Axis – set on the site of the former Thwaites Brewery and the surrounding area, this is believed to be the largest town centre development of its type in the region
We are working closely with Government colleagues on a devolution deal for Lancashire and as a Levelling Up partner.
Our focus for the future is on delivering on our wide ranging ambitions, including innovation, skills, and place based economic agenda. We are seeking a high calibre candidate to join us on this exciting and rewarding journey.
About You
The role will support the delivery of a high-profile portfolio of work for our borough, therefore we are looking for candidates who are able to present themselves positively with confidence and conviction; and with the ability to inspire both respect and trust amongst colleagues, partners and peers.
You will have personal resilience and be able to adapt and thrive in a fast-moving and changeable environment. In addition, you will have great verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to utilise these skills with a wide range of audiences. Experience of working with, and influencing, senior stakeholders in a Local Government (or comparable) setting is essential.
To be considered for interview, you will be able to clearly show in your application:
- Experience of being creative and innovative with the ability to challenge appropriately, in order to develop strategic approaches and solutions to complex problems.
- An ability to deliver programmes at pace and scale with partners across geographical boundaries
- Strong negotiation and influencing skills with the ability to work collaboratively with internal/external partners and professionals to achieve positive outcomes
- Ability to work on own initiative with solution focussed problem solving skills
An understanding of economic growth at a national, regional and local level would be desirable.
For more information, please contact Steven Oldham via steven.oldham@blackburn.gov.uk
In addition to your CV, please include supporting information which evidences how you meet the criteria detailed on the key requirements document.
