Wylvep Programme Manager - Req24756

West Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership Manager - P06 grade ca. £48 - 51k

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

This is an exciting time to join the newly formed West Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership, between all five West Yorkshire Local Authorities and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. This position will sit within Leeds City Council as lead applicant for the partnership.

The Board is chaired by the Mayor of West Yorkshire and forms part of Visit England's new framework designed to support the tourism sector delivering on the West Yorkshire Destination Management Plan aimed at raising the profile of the region.

About you

As West Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership Manager you will:

• Have inclusive and collaborative leadership skills with strong stakeholder management skills.
• Effectively manage the DMP budget, including the delivery of income targets and attracting match funding and sponsorship, where applicable.
• Lead the delivery of a suite of visitor economy metrics for West Yorkshire , which are recorded monthly and annually to enable effective benchmarking with KPIs and identify and drive action plans and manage risks resulting from such monitoring. 
• Act as the project lead ensuring that external funding opportunities from a national, regional and local level are capitalised upon for the benefit of the West Yorkshire regional visitor economy.
• Act as the Visitor Economy project lead working closely with Local authority tourism leads and the events leads in bidding for and delivering major world class events for the region.
• Work closely with the local authority tourism leads to plan and deliver a suite of campaigns that encourages visits from our target markets. 
• Work closely with the other custodians of the Visitor Economy, including LVEP board members, Visit England and wider regional stakeholders to develop plans to integrate activity across the region, administrating board meetings and ensuring good governance.
• Lead the WYLVEP stakeholder engagement programme and support the Head of Destination Marketing and International Relations in representing West Yorkshire at various meetings including Visit Britain / Visit England. 
• Provide briefings for senior officers and politicians on matters relating to the West Yorkshire Visitor Economy and respond to enquiries from respective Local Authority Leaders and Chief Executives, including via the Yorkshire Tourism Initiative.
• Procure services using LCC procurement guidelines, to deliver WYLVEP DMP programme of works.

 About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to work as programme lead for the newly formed West Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership, liaising with tourism leads from each of the local authorities and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to deliver the actions set out within the Destination Management Plan, whilst ensuring good governance and providing administrative support where necessary.

To be suitable for the role you need extensive tourism experience, with a good knowledge of local government process, and the new framework as set out by Visit England and Visit Britain.

This role will be fast paced and require someone with excellent programme management skills. 

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

• Please complete the online application form.
• Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application. 

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact  Belinda Eldridge, Head of Destination Marketing and International Relations at Leeds City Council or email belinda.eldridge@leeds.gov.uk

Interviews will take place week commencing 20th May.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. 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 Description 

Job Purpose:
 

To lead on the implementation and delivery of the Destination Management Plan for the West Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy partnership, which aims to increase national and international visitor numbers to the region, elevate the economic impact and business support for the tourism sector. 

Key responsibilities:

• To lead on the delivery of the WYLVEP DMP, workload prioritisation and deadlines..
• To manage the DMP budget, including the delivery of income targets and attracting match funding and sponsorship, where applicable.
• Lead the delivery of a suite of visitor economy metrics, which are recorded monthly and annually to enable effective benchmarking with KPIs and identify and drive action plans and manage risks resulting from such monitoring. 
• To act as the project lead ensuring that external funding opportunities from a national, regional and local level are capitalised upon for the benefit of the West Yorkshire regional visitor economy.
• To act as the Visitor Economy project lead working closely with Local authority tourism leads and the events leads in bidding for and delivering major world class events for the region.
• To work closely with the local authority tourism leads to plan and deliver a suite of campaigns that encourages visits from our target markets. 
• To work closely with the other custodians of the Visitor Economy, including LVEP board members, Visit England and wider regional stakeholders to develop plans to integrate activity across the region.
• To lead the WYLVEP stakeholder engagement programme and represent West Yorkshire at various meetings including Visit Britain / Visit England. 
• To provide briefings for senior officers and politicians on matters relating to the West Yorkshire Visitor Economy and respond to enquiries from respective Local Authority Leaders and Chief Executives via the Yorkshire Tourism Initiative.
• To procure services using LCC procurement guidelines, to deliver WYLVEP DMP programme of works.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Method Of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview or Certificate.

• Project management skills
• Ability to manage West Yorkshire stakeholders tasked with promoting West Yorkshire as a business and leisure tourism destination;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage, influence and negotiate and to form positive relationships at all levels;
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and ensure that staff and resources are allocated, prioritised and balanced according to the business and customer needs;
• Proven ability to formulate, action and monitor marketing strategies, promotional plans and projects to meet targets and deadlines;
• Ability to lead a team bidding for and supporting the delivering large association conferences including destination and welcome packages;
• Ability to ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations, manage internal and external financial resources and deliver the Conference Desk to income target;
• Business and customer focused with a commitment to winning the trust and respect of colleagues, senior managers, elected members and customers on behalf of the visitor economy team;
• Ability to present information to a variety of audiences including senior officers, elected members and external stakeholders;
• A creative and considered approach;
• An enabling and collaborative attitude to partnership working and stakeholder management;
• Excellent attention to detail;
• Highly organised and self-motivated, able to manage own workload and meet deadlines.
• Educated to degree level in a relevant field such as Travel and Tourism;
• Excellent knowledge of the business and leisure visitor economy industry;
• Considerable years experience of conference desk delivery, sales and income management including delivery of KPIs;
• Considerable years experience of managing, motivating and developing staff in order to deliver a high quality service;
• Experience of working with senior officers and elected members, providing briefings and reports;
• Experience of working with other public and private sector partners and stakeholders providing tourism related services at a local, sub-regional, national and international level;
• Experience of accessing and bidding for various sources of funding for tourism related services;
• Experience of managing a budget and competitive bid tendering;
• Experience of using marketing, sales and PR techniques and using IT, the internet and social media in destination marketing;
• Experience of leading on multi-agency tourism projects;
• Experience of using statistical research, analysis and interpretation to inform strategy and project plans.
• Broad knowledge of macro-economic, socio-economic and other influences impacting the sector.

Behavioural & other Characteristics required

• Demonstrate the Leeds City Council managers’ habits to a high standard
• Sound professional and diplomatic judgement based on experience and personal resourcefulness
• An inclusive approach and a commitment to equality and diversity
• Contributes to own health and wellbeing and promotes the health, safety and wellbeing of others
• Commitment to their own continuing professional development and that of others in the team.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

• Excellent knowledge of the business and leisure visitor economy industry with a focus on Leeds and the Leeds City Region.
• In depth understanding of the role and remit of local government in relation to the visitor economy and tourism management.
• Experience of working in a Destination Marketing Organisation or similar organisation.