Salary
£75,585 - £80,726
Contractual hours
37
Basis
Full time
Region
Rotherham
Job category/type
Management
Date posted
24/09/2025
Job reference
REQ21230
attachment
Benefits
Directorate: Regeneration & Environment
Permanent, Full time, 37 hours per week
About the Role
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking a dynamic leader to head our Economic Development service. This is a high-profile, externally-facing role that plays a pivotal part in shaping the borough's economic future.
As Head of Economic Development, you will lead the Rotherham Investment and Development Office (RiDO), driving inward investment, business growth, and strategic partnerships. You'll oversee a diverse portfolio including five business centres, the newly redeveloped Rotherham Markets, employment and skills programmes, and economic development strategy.
About You
We're looking for a strategic thinker and experienced senior leader with:
* a strong track record in economic development or a related field
* proven experience in strategic planning, policy development, and managing change.
* Proven ability to lead teams, manage change, and deliver complex programmes.
* Strong understanding of local government processes and the political landscape.
* Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Why Join Us?
Rotherham is a borough on the rise - over the last two decades it has seen a remarkable increase in productivity, making it one of the fastest-growing sub-regional economies in the UK—and the fastest in the North of England. This transformation has been driven by the success of the Advanced Manufacturing Park and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), which has attracted global brands, fostered cutting-edge research and development, and helped reshape the region's economic landscape.
Looking ahead, Rotherham's ambitions continue to grow. The Don Valley area is poised for significant development, including proposals for Rotherham Gateway Station - a new main line station and business park. These initiatives are set to unlock further economic potential, attract investment, and create new opportunities for businesses and communities alike.
As Head of Economic Development, you'll be at the forefront of this exciting journey—helping to shape the borough's future, drive inclusive growth, and ensure Rotherham remains a place where innovation thrives and businesses succeed. Join us and be part of a team that is shaping a thriving future for our communities and businesses.
We offer:
* Flexible working arrangements
* Local Government Pension Scheme
* Generous annual leave entitlement
* Opportunities for professional development
This post will have access to the Public Services Network, if successful you will be required to apply for a disclosure of criminal records check at the Basic level (unspent criminal convictions).
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview. For further information, please visit our website.
Until 31st March 2026 employees paid at Band D and above are subject to a temporary pay reduction of 1.15% spread out by means of a monthly deduction from each pay period over the full financial year. In recognition of implementing this temporary measure, those who experience a pay reduction will be awarded three additional days leave (pro rata for part-time).
This post is classed as 'politically restricted' under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (as amended). The full details of the restrictions are set out in the Statutory Instrument, but broadly the restrictions prohibit candidature from public elected office; holding office in a political party; as well as involvement in political activities such as canvassing or public speaking/writing.