About The Job
Salary: £80,138 - £85,041 per year plus £3203 car benefit allowance
Hours per week: 37
Contract type: Permanent
As Assistant Director of Economic Growth, Strategic Regeneration and Climate Change, you will be at the forefront of shaping Luton's future. You will lead the development and delivery of our new economic growth strategy, ambitious regeneration plans, programmes, and projects that revitalise key areas, strengthen our high streets and town centre, and position Luton as a dynamic, forward-looking place to live, study, work, and invest.
You will also drive our net-zero ambitions and the growth of the green economy ensuring that economic progress is environmentally responsible and socially inclusive.
This is a pivotal leadership role. You will provide strategic direction across the Council's approach to regeneration, economic growth, and climate change, working collaboratively with internal teams, public and private partners, and regional and national stakeholders. You will act as a true place shaper by unlocking opportunities, attracting investment, and delivering long-term transformation of the town.
You will lead major programmes and projects with confidence, ensuring they are innovative, commercially astute, and outcome-focused. With an entrepreneurial mindset, you will identify and capitalise on opportunities that support regeneration, economic development, and environmental sustainability.
Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.
About You
You are an experienced and inspiring leader with a strong track record of delivering major strategic regeneration and economic growth initiatives. You have successfully secured significant funding from Central Government or comparable sources and bring extensive experience of working with a wide range of partners, including communities, businesses, and government bodies.
You are an effective manager and motivator, capable of leading and developing high-performing teams. You excel in negotiation, change management, and influencing at senior and Board levels, particularly on complex, high-stakes strategic issues.
Your approach is innovative and solutions-focused. You apply sound judgment, navigate political and legislative contexts with confidence, and contribute actively to continuous improvement and service development.
You bring deep knowledge of best practice in economic growth and regeneration, alongside a strong understanding of national policy, skills development, and the relationship between national and local government. You hold a relevant professional qualification or can demonstrate equivalent, verifiable experience.
Most importantly, you are ready to use your expertise to help shape a transformative future for Luton.
About Us
Luton is a town on the rise. Strategically positioned at the heart of the Golden Triangle of London, Oxford, and Cambridge and connected to major cities across the UK, Europe, and beyond, Luton is confidently shaping its future. Our economy is expanding, our town is transforming, and our ambition is clear: to create a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable place where everyone can thrive.
Our entrepreneurial, can‑do spirit runs deep. From world-class aviation and aerospace to digital technology, advanced manufacturing, creative industries, logistics, and professional services, Luton is home to a diverse and growing economic base. With a £5bn investment pipeline including a £1.7bn town centre regeneration programme, we are delivering one of the most significant transformation agendas in the region.
As home to the UK's 5th largest airport, connecting to over 130 destinations, Luton is truly globally connected. The Government's approval of the Development Consent Order to expand London Luton Airport from 19 million to 32 million passengers per year unlocks unprecedented opportunities for innovation, investment, and job creation. Our location, infrastructure, and connectivity place us at the forefront of the UK's growth ambitions.
Our vision, set out in Luton 2040, is ambitious: a town that is healthy, fair, and sustainable, where no one has to live in poverty. At its heart, this means ensuring every resident has access to good jobs, a secure home, and a safe community. Our economic strategy sets out how growth will drive this vision by tackling inequalities, reducing economic inactivity, and ensuring prosperity is shared by all. We are committed to supporting those furthest from the labour market, removing barriers to employment, and improving life chances through inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our borough.
Application Process
On occasions, we may close a vacancy early due to a very high number of applications being received.
Benefits
We offer a range of excellent staff benefits which include:
From 25 to 32 days' annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 20.2 per cent (at July 2023) and 3x salary death in service grant
Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part-time hours and alternative working patterns
Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel
How To Apply
We understand that job applications take time and effort, but a high-quality application shows that you are professional with a good attention to detail. The recruiting manager may receive a number of applications for each job advertised so you want yours to stand out
Our 'How to apply' page has more tips to help with your application: How to apply