6 month contract role with a Local Authority Job Summary: • The Subject Matter Expert: Business Growth – Management will play a pivotal role in delivering the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) Investment Zone, a major initiative aimed at accelerating innovation-led economic growth across South East Wales. • Reporting to the Director of Regional Growth & Investment, the postholder will provide specialist expertise in research, development, innovation, and business growth. • The role will shape, design and implement high-impact programmes aligned with CCR’s Regional Economic and Industrial Plan, with a focus on high-value sectors such as compound semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. • Working across public, private, academic, and government partners, the SME will ensure interventions are evidence-based, strategically aligned and deliver measurable outcomes for the region. Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample): • Provide strategic leadership to shape and drive CCR’s Research, Development & Innovation priorities within the Investment Zone. • Engage with industry clusters and gather market intelligence to inform policy, programme development and investment decisions. • Design, manage and deliver innovation-focused programmes that support productivity, competitiveness, and business growth. • Develop robust business cases, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and public sector investment requirements. • Build and sustain partnerships with industry, Welsh Government, UK Government, academia and investors to attract inward investment. • Oversee contract and procurement management to ensure compliant and value-for-money delivery. • Monitor, evaluate and report on programme performance, including impact measurement. • Provide leadership, guidance and direction within the Investment Zone Delivery Team. • Contribute to creating the conditions for innovation-led, high-productivity, high-value job creation in CCR. Skills/Experience: • Proven experience in research, development and innovation strategy, preferably within high-value sectors. • Strong understanding of regional economic development, productivity drivers and innovation ecosystems. • Demonstrable experience working across public, private and academic sectors in a multi-governance environment. • Ability to design, lead and deliver complex programmes from inception through to implementation. • Skilled in stakeholder engagement, diplomacy, and cross-sector collaboration. • Expertise in developing business cases and securing investment. • Strong analytical, commercial and policy acumen. • Experience in monitoring, evaluation and impact reporting. • Excellent leadership, communication and influencing skills. • Ability to manage procurement, contracts and partner delivery arrangements. • Understanding of inward investment approaches and investment attraction strategies. Additional Information: • Bi-Weekly Payments. • Work pattern: Hybrid — remote with 2–3 days per week based at Sbarc | Spark, Cardiff. • Duration: 24 weeks, starting 13 April 2026 (inside IR35). • Occasional weekend or evening work may be required. • Ability to travel across the region is essential. • Rate: Umbrella rate: £45.93 p/h.