Stoke-on-Trent is a unique place – forged through its industrial past, built on layers of enterprise and craftsmanship, and with a strong sense of personal and collective identity. It is also a city of parks, open spaces and waterways, with excellent connectivity to the West Midlands and the North West. The council has recently developed a bold new strategy, centred around creating an environment in which people and institutions can work together to improve the wellbeing of all residents and tackle longstanding inequalities. This is not a ‘top down’ approach; rather, we want to work in step with our residents to ensure a community-led development of prevention, support and enterprise activity.

THE ROLE

We are committed to delivering our ambitious programme for transforming and improving the aspirations and opportunities for the residents of Stoke-on-Trent City Council. And that’s where you come in. Our new Assistant Director of Investment, Delivery and Growth will be central to securing opportunities for housing and commercial development, promoting regeneration and overseeing an effective land use planning and building control system.

We are looking for an experienced candidate with a passion for the design and delivery of development plans, who is able to work with colleagues and partners to develop joint approaches to local services. Securing investment and development to deliver growth and prosperity across our city centre, towns and communities will be crucial for this role. We are looking for someone with a strong background in programme and project delivery, someone who can take plans and turn them into reality. We are looking for a senior manager who will be equally credible with a prospective development partner, a national public body or a community group.

To be successful in this role you will need to lead the city council’s input into major physical regeneration and place making programmes, including the Levelling Up programme, whilst developing a positive working environment, encouraging active involvement of employees in shaping the co-production and delivery of services and the promotion of equal opportunities within our communities.

We are open to all backgrounds and specialisms, but it is essential that you are experienced in leading key developments and investments to deliver a financial and social return on investment.

Finally, as a senior officer, you will provide confident, visible, strategic and values-led leadership and direction to develop and maintain appropriate relationships with diverse stakeholders including; elected members, council officers, local communities, businesses, Government departments, and other external agencies in order to maximise capacity and pool resources wherever possible.

You will act as an ambassador for the council, promoting and enhancing the authority’s image as a Member-led authority ambitious for the city, supporting the formation of strategic alliances and developing effective working relationships on a local, regional and national basis.