Job Title: Head of Economy and Growth

Location: Surrey, UK
Type: 6-month Contract, Hybrid
Salary: £500/day

Are you passionate about driving economic growth and innovation within local communities? Do you possess the strategic acumen to lead a cross-functional team towards achieving corporate objectives? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join a local authority in Surrey as the Head of Economy and Growth.

Responsibilities:

• Lead on the oversight and delivery of Surrey's Economic Strategies and Plans.
• Drive innovation as part of a cross-team approach to delivering outcomes.
• Manage resources effectively to establish appropriate interventions and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Ensure suitable performance management systems are in place to deliver on corporate objectives.
• Assist the Director in stakeholder and locality management, including key account management of anchor institutions and businesses.
• Develop, coordinate, and support service planning to ensure the delivery of high-quality, value-for-money services.
• Recommend policy and practice improvements, consulting with key stakeholders for effective implementation.
• Provide professional leadership to foster a strong culture of standards, performance, and accountability.
• Offer timely, accurate, and customer-focused advice and guidance to support good practice and compliance.
• Maintain effective budgetary control while ensuring legal, regulatory, and policy compliance.
• Lead major programs and represent the business area in internal and external initiatives to enhance reputation and service delivery.
• Champion and manage transformational change to ensure high-quality service delivery and value for money.
• Foster partnership working internally and externally to promote sustainable service improvements and generate efficiencies.
• Be available on-call if required to maintain key service delivery and in the event of a serious incident.

Requirements:

• Degree or equivalent professional qualification plus management experience in a complex business environment.
• Extensive knowledge of change management, project management, and continuous improvement principles.
• Authoritative knowledge of relevant work practices, processes, and procedures.
• Ability to balance policy development with effective operational management.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and resources effectively.
• High-level analytical skills and ability to provide practical and creative solutions.
• Ability to assess risks and benefits in a complex environment and respond appropriately.
• Technical, professional, and legislative knowledge of economic development.
• Political awareness and sensitivity with the ability to provide clear professional advice.
• Extensive networks of influence to support economic development efforts.

If you are ready to make a significant impact on economic development in Surrey and possess the skills and experience outlined above, we encourage you to apply.