Head of Visitor Economy

EAST MIDLANDS COMBINED COUNTY AUTHORITY; Chesterfield; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional authority is looking for a senior leader to drive the growth of the East Midlands' visitor economy. This role involves strategic oversight of the Visit East Midlands initiative, ensuring robust partnerships across sectors, and representing the region to central authorities. Candidates should possess significant leadership experience, a degree or equivalent experience, and a comprehensive understanding of the visitor economy landscape. The position offers the opportunity to have a meaningful impact on regional growth and development.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in the visitor economy or a related field is essential.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop a high performing team through periods of growth and change.
• Knowledge of visitor economy policy and landscape at national and local levels is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of Visit East Midlands – Regional Visitor Economy Partnership.
• Represent the East Midlands to central government and national agencies.
• Drive delivery through investment, policy, and partnership activity.

Skills

Strategic and analytical thinking

Leadership experience in the visitor economy

Relationship building with stakeholders

Knowledge of public policy environment

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

Job description

An influential senior leadership role with responsibility for helping to deliver ambitious plans to grow our visitor economy by £1bn

Welcome to EMCCA

The East Midlands has huge potential. As the UK’s first mayor-led combined county authority, EMCCA will unlock it - bringing devolved powers over transport, housing, skills and adult education, economic growth and net zero. We’re here to make the region better connected, better funded and better prepared for a future of opportunity. By shaping strategies and building partnerships, we will maximise the impact of billions of pounds of investment; putting the East Midlands firmly on the map as a place to live, work and thrive.

Your role in elevating the East Midlands

This senior leadership role will have region-wide visibility and influence in the delivery of ambitious strategic plans to sustainably grow our visitor economy. This sector is a mayoral priority and core to our growth plan.

Working closely with the Director of Culture, Visitor Economy & Sport, you will lead the development of Visit East Midlands – Regional Visitor Economy Partnership, providing clear leadership and robust governance. You will help turn our plans into real growth, driving delivery through aligned investment, policy, and partnership activity with key organisations including local visitor economy partnerships (LVEP’s)

Your remit in the development of Visit East Midlands will include the shaping and influencing of decisions across infrastructure, events, skills, transport, and place. You will bring together LVEPs and senior public and private-sector leaders, and broker effective collaboration across local authorities, destination organisations, cultural institutions, major attractions, transport operators, and national bodies.

The role will represent the East Midlands to central government, arm’s-length bodies, national agencies, and international partners; develop an investable and market-ready visitor economy pipeline; and champion the region as a distinctive, high-quality destination for domestic and international visitors.

Your profile

• A degree or equivalent level of experience
• Significant leadership experience in the visitor economy or related field
• A proven track record of strategic and analytical thinking to develop effective responses to opportunities and challenges
• Knowledge of the sector and aligned industries in the EMCCA region, at national and local level
• Detailed knowledge of key issues and influences affecting the services allocated to this post.
• Knowledge of some or all of visitor economy policy and landscape at national and local level
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop a high performing team through periods of growth and change
• Proven ability to build effective collaborative relationships with a range of stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
• Knowledge of the broader public policy environment and government strategies (e.g. devolution, economic policy, funding regimes) that impact the combined authority.

For more details on EMCCA including our rewards and benefits, please visit: https://eastmidscareers.co.uk

Closing date: 9th February

NB - this is a politically restricted post as designated under the LGHA and any subsequent amendment and you may not have any active political role either in or outside of work.

Office location – all roles are based at NGEC, Saltergate, Chesterfield, S40 1UT unless stated otherwise.