Lead Economic Development Officer

Braintree District Council; Braintree; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government partnership is seeking a Lead Economic Development Officer to drive economic growth in Braintree and Colchester. This role involves leading strategic economic programs, managing budgets, and collaborating with stakeholders. The position offers a competitive salary and flexible hybrid working arrangements in a dynamic working environment.

Benefits

Competitive pay and benefits

Hybrid working arrangements

Local government pension scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Staff discounts at local businesses

Health and wellbeing programme

Qualifications

• A proven track record of coordinating the delivery of strategic programmes.
• Experience of working in Economic Development.
• Ability to establish relationships with external partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of Braintree’s Economic Growth Strategy.
• Draft the annual corporate Business Plan for economic development.
• Set and monitor economic development budgets.

Skills

Project delivery coordination

Experience in partnership working

Knowledge of economic development

Commercial awareness

Relationship management

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Braintree District Council and Colchester City Council have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Economic Development Officer to join the Economic Development team based in Braintree, Essex, working across both the district of Braintree and the city of Colchester.

Location: Braintree, Essex, CM7 9HB

Salary: Up to £51,436 per annum dependent on experience

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

About Us

Braintree District Council and Colchester City Council have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Economic Development Officer to join the Economic Development team based in Braintree, Essex, working across both the district of Braintree and the city of Colchester.

Both Councils have ambitious growth and economic development agendas and are looking for an experienced and motivated individual able to work on their own initiative and as part of an integrated team, to make a significant positive impact on residents, businesses and those looking to invest in our District, City and communities.

Lead Economic Development Officer – The Role

You will be hosted at Braintree District Council but will work across both Councils where you will be responsible for devising and managing your own projects to offer support to businesses and the growing economic sectors across Braintree and Colchester. Developing and maintaining relationships with businesses, residents and a wide range of key stakeholders is critical to the success of the role, facilitating partnership working and business buy in. Additionally, this role will play a lead role in the economic development team at Braintree District Council, where the post holder will manage the Economic Development team provide strategic leadership for the Councils wider economic growth activity.

Lead Economic Development Officer – Key Responsibilities

• To lead on the delivery of Braintree’s Economic Growth Strategy by identifying, planning, managing and delivering projects, alongside the economic development team, to deliver against the Councils economic development priorities
• Lead the drafting of the annual corporate Business Plan for the economic development service in Braintree District Council (BDC)
• To take lead responsibility for the setting and monitoring of economic development related budgets in BDC
• Responsibility for the commissioning and delivery of an economic evidence base covering Braintree and Colchester local authority areas
• To undertake procurement and manage contracts for a range of public and business facing economic development projects
  
  

Lead Economic Development Officer – You

• A proven track record of coordinating the delivery of strategic programmes and projects using appropriate systems and procedures
• Experience of partnership working with external partners
• A relevant degree or significant equivalent experience
• Experience of working with the business community
• Experience of working in Economic Development
• Experience of project working/project management
• A working knowledge of the public sector and funding opportunities.
• Commercially minded with knowledge of local, regional, national and international economic and skills issues
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with internal service partners
  
  

Lead Economic Development Officer – Benefits

Braintree District Council is a great place to work. We pride ourselves on our creative, innovative and forward-thinking approach which is led by our staff. We are committed to having an engaged workforce who understand our strategy and how they can help deliver it. Some of the benefits of working for Braintree District Council are:

• Competitive pay and benefits
• Hybrid working arrangements are available in this role (home/office based) subject to business need
• Local government pension scheme
• Learning and development for all staff
• Staff discounts at local businesses
• Staff recognition schemes
• Extensive health and wellbeing programme including discounted gym membership
  
  

Closing date: Midnight on Monday 11th August

Interviews Friday 22nd August and Wednesday 27th August 2025

To submit your application for this exciting Lead Economic Development Officer opportunity, please click ‘Apply’ now!