POST: Invest in Worcestershire Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

POST: Invest in Worcestershire Manager

POST HOLDER:

REPORTS TO: Director of Operations

GRADE:

LOCATION: Worcester initially with potential move to Malvern within 6 months

WORKING HOURS: Full Time – 37 hours per week

MAIN PURPOSE: To lead and manage the Invest in Worcestershire initiative supporting and encouraging new and existing business to invest in the County.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

·  To develop and drive delivery of the Invest in Worcestershire service and Business Plan working with WLEP and wider Local Authority and business community.

·  Establish themselves as the key point of contact for potential new investors

·  Be operational commissioner and manager of WLEP and Worcestershire Business Central ( Growth Hub) activity as it relates to attracting and securing business investment in the County

·  To market and promote Worcestershire as a business location

·  Be primary point of contact for Department for international Trade and other inward investment related organisations and agencies

·  To proactively engage with the decision makers in companies who have been identified as having growth potential and to support the company where possible to remove barriers to growth.

·  To understand the needs of businesses on a case by case basis and to provide bespoke support to companies through the co-ordination of services and partner activity.

·  To undertake pro-active development activity to identify, attract and secure inward investment.

·  To develop effective relationships across the public and private sector within Worcestershire to ensure a co-ordinated message is given to potential inward investors in the County.

·  To work closely with colleagues within district councils/partners and other organisations as appropriate to ensure that investors (both Worcestershire based and external) are supported with growth and relocation plans.

·  To undertake planned marketing activity to showcase the County as a business location and the services provided within Worcestershire Business Central and under the wider World Class Worcestershire marketing activity.

·  To develop and maintain effective working relationships with the external stakeholders of Worcestershire County Council and WLEP.

·  To procure, commission and manage external or internal consultancy staff who may be engaged from time to time, assisting with the specification of assignments and ensuring that work is undertaken to appropriate time scales, budgets and identified quality standards.

·  To manage the budget allocated to inward investment activity and individual projects ensuring it is cost efficient, maximises resources and regular analysis is provided against forecast of spend

GENERAL DUTIES:

·  To deputise for the Chief Executive and/or Deputy Chief Executive as required

·  To maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff in their development and training.

·  To undertake such other duties, training and/or hours of work as may be reasonably required and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility of this job.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

KNOWLEDGE/QUALIFICATIONS:

·  Degree or equivalent in an appropriate area of work eg project management, economic regeneration or economic development

·  Relevant post graduate qualification or membership of professional organisation

SKILLS/ABILITIES:

·  Methodical and well organised, with an ability to manage heavy workloads and produce high quality work to tight deadlines.

·  Excellent communication skills at a senior level with partners, stakeholders, media, businesses and the general public

·  Ability to produce summaries of complex issues for presentation to a range of audiences, including the Worcestershire LEP Board, stakeholder groups and the business community.

·  Strong negotiation skills and able to align differing views to achieve common goals.

·  Evidence of creative and innovative working.

·  Self starter who is able to work to and meet performance targets.

EXPERIENCE:

·  Strong knowledge and understanding of business issues, economic development & regeneration.

·  Extensive experience of interacting with a range of public and private sector organisations.

·  Proven experience of attracting business investment.

·  Substantial experience in constructing and managing budgets successfully.

·  Extensive experience of motivating a multi disciplinary team to deliver a desired set of outcomes.

PERSONAL QUALITIES:

·  Resilience and flexibility in the face of changing circumstances.

·  Ability to work well with others.

·  Well organised and capable of performing under pressure.

·  Driven to succeed.

·  Creative and innovative.

MOBILITY:

·  Ideally, a car owner with full driving licence.

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