Director City Development - Req24530

Internal vacancy. Applications will only be considered from existing Leeds City Council employees.

Leeds is home to a thriving and dynamic economy.  As our interim 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 and sustainability 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 the community to really understand what people need. 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 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 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 request the job pack, please contact: recruitment@leeds.gov.uk

To apply, please upload your CV and a covering letter ensuring your application reflects the requirements of the role as outlined in the role profile.

For more information or to arrange a discussion with Tom Riordan CBE, 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 and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period. 

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.

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 

• 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.
• Champion the ongoing development and sustainability of Leeds as a key commercial and cultural centre within the Yorkshire and Humber region, which operates at a global scale.
• Create a service culture that engages and involves all stakeholders in the immediate and longer-term success of Leeds. 
• Ensure those in charge of delivering or commissioning services and decision making are accountable for assessing needs, and the delivery of improved and sustained economic well-being and competitiveness.
• Ensure services contribute to wider partnership objectives regarding the regional, national and the international role and profile of Leeds.
• Support cultural and organisational change, facilitating improvement in the way that services are provided and working across all sectors to achieve this. 
• Oversee the development and regeneration of all areas within the City of Leeds and the successful delivery of major projects for the city.
• Take the lead as the city’s representative to build stronger and productive partnerships with the business community and key partners.
• Oversee the statutory responsibilities of the Council as the Local Planning Authority, ensuring effective use of land. 
• Address the sustainability agenda including climate change issues. 
• Ensure the effective delivery of services related to traffic, highways and transportation; improving infrastructure to meet statutory requirements and optimise partnerships across relevant sectors.
• Ensure that the cultural, sport and recreation policies and strategies of the council and its partners, are delivered to promote Leeds and the well-being of our citizens. 
• 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.
• Work with senior politicians to achieve outcomes regarding City Development, building strong relationships with appropriate Executive Board Members 
• With an emphasis on strong leadership, this role operates within the context of the Best City Ambition and the city’s broader strategic objectives.
• 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. 
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

• 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.
• Able to lead and embed a performance management culture.
• Able to develop and sustain a culture that meets the needs of and engages with a range of diverse communities and staff.
• 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.
• Evidence of success in building and enhancing the reputation of an organisation, locally and nationally with external bodies, the community and the media.
• 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 successful 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.
• Demonstrable credibility within leadership that has enabled teams to achieve significant, sustainable service improvements and outstanding results whilst retaining a culture that recognises the needs of customers and staff.
• Evidence of leading, shaping and influencing cutting edge thinking and innovative practice within current organisation.
• Evidence of working with partners and key stakeholders and of forging and driving successful partnership programmes to deliver cross sector priorities and outcomes.
• 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.
• Experience of successful leadership and management of large scale complex change programmes with an understanding of the strategic issues that face integrated work.
• Evidence of ability to make reasoned and logical decisions allied with high level organisational skills.
• 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.
• 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.

Behavioural & other characteristics required

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• 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.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.