Executive Director Growth, Business and Skills

South Yorkshire is entering an exciting new chapter, with increased devolved powers, investment and opportunities to create lasting benefits for people, businesses and communities. As one of England's established Mayoral Combined Authorities, SYMCA brings together Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield to support a greener, fairer and more prosperous South Yorkshire for everyone.

The region is home to a wealth of nationally important assets, including the UK's first Investment Zone, the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District and one of only five Defence Growth Deals. With a strong commitment to inclusive growth and partnership working, South Yorkshire is well placed to build on its strengths and create new opportunities for future generations.

SYMCA is seeking an experienced and collaborative leader to join its Executive Leadership Board as Executive Director Growth, Business and Skills. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, Katharine Hammond, you will provide strategic leadership to a directorate of approximately 100 colleagues and support the delivery of the Mayor's vision for South Yorkshire. You will oversee a broad portfolio spanning economic growth, business support, skills and employability, housing, spatial development, energy and environment, and major investment programmes.

As a trusted adviser to the Mayor and Combined Authority, you will contribute to the development of regional strategy, help shape conversations with national partners, and work collaboratively with businesses, investors, academic institutions and government to create opportunity across South Yorkshire. You will play an important role in turning long-term ambitions into meaningful outcomes, helping to ensure that growth brings lasting benefits for residents, businesses and communities throughout the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for the delivery of South Yorkshire's Local Growth Plan and associated economic, skills, housing and environmental priorities.
• Provide strategic and inclusive leadership to the Growth, Business and Skills Directorate and its diverse portfolio of programmes and services.
• Develop and deliver major investment programmes across business growth, skills, infrastructure, housing, trade, investment and clean energy.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Mayor and Combined Authority Board.
• Build effective partnerships across local government, central government, academia, business and the private sector.
• Represent South Yorkshire nationally and internationally, promoting the region's strengths and securing investment and policy opportunities.
• Foster innovation, evidence-based policymaking and continuous improvement across the directorate.
• We are looking for a strategic and inclusive leader who is passionate about creating opportunity and improving outcomes for communities, businesses and places.

You will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience in economic development, business growth, public policy, regeneration or a related field.
• A strong understanding of economic development, place-based growth and the factors that help communities and businesses thrive.
• Experience of overseeing complex programmes, significant budgets and a range of funding streams.
• The ability to work effectively across political, organisational and geographical boundaries.
• Excellent partnership-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience of bringing people together around a shared vision and delivering outcomes through collaboration.
• The confidence to engage constructively with elected members, government representatives, investors, businesses and strategic partners.
• A commitment to inclusive growth, innovation and public value.

For more information and candidate pack, please visit the job advert via the link:

Executive Director Growth, Business and Skills, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire