LES Programme Development Lead

WMJobs; Dudley; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Dudley Council is creating a new Local Enterprise Support function to help businesses start, grow, innovate and invest. We seek two senior LES Programme Development Leads to design the service, shape delivery and mobilise a programme ready to launch from 2027.

You will engage with senior business leaders, partners and providers to develop practical service models, commissioning arrangements and delivery plans, with a track record in business engagement and enterprise support.

Qualifications

• Experience in economic development, business support, enterprise, public policy, project management, commissioning or related field.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop the new Local Enterprise Support function.
• Lead business and stakeholder engagement to understand local needs and gaps in current provision.
• Support procurement, commissioning and contract development activity.
• Develop performance frameworks, governance reports, risk information and mobilisation plans.
• Support brokerage events, partnership development and early delivery activity.
• Ensure activity aligns with Dudley’s Framework for Growth and wider Growth and Place priorities.
• Work with internal teams including procurement, finance, legal, communications, data and performance.
• Support effective use of the LES budget and ensure governance, funding and procurement compliance.

Skills

Economic development

Business engagement

Service design

Stakeholder management

Job description

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council,
Dudley Council is creating a new Local Enterprise Support function to help businesses start, grow, innovate and invest. We are looking for two senior, commercially aware and credible LES Programme Development Leads who can help design the service, shape the delivery model and turn Dudley’s economic growth ambitions into practical support for local businesses.

This is a high-profile development role at the heart of Dudley’s Economy and Place agenda. You will work directly with businesses, private sector leaders, partners, suppliers and Council services to build a new programme across innovation, inward investment, sector and supply chain development and the everyday economy. You will lead the design, planning and early mobilisation work needed to create a service that is targeted, credible and ready to launch from 2027.

You will have strong judgement and be comfortable engaging and influencing senior business leaders, understanding their needs and translating that insight into practical service models, commissioning arrangements and delivery plans.

This role requires a track record in business advice, business engagement, enterprise support, service design, stakeholder engagement and/or related private sector-facing activity. You will need to be able to scope out a new service, shape a clear delivery model and build strong relationships with the businesses, partners and providers who can help Dudley’s economy grow.

You will lead the development of business engagement activity, commissioning arrangements, contract specifications, governance reports, performance measures and mobilisation plans. You will also support early delivery activity, including brokerage events, stakeholder engagement and partnership development.

This is a varied and high-profile role requiring sound judgement, excellent communication skills and the ability to work confidently with businesses, senior officers, partners, suppliers and stakeholders. You will need to be comfortable operating in a local government environment and committed to delivering practical outcomes for Dudley’s businesses and communities.

Key responsibilities

• Designing and developing the new Local Enterprise Support function.
• Leading business and stakeholder engagement to understand local needs and gaps in current provision.
• Supporting procurement, commissioning and contract development activity.
• Developing performance frameworks, governance reports, risk information and mobilisation plans.
• Supporting brokerage events, partnership development and early delivery activity.
• Ensuring activity aligns with Dudley’s emerging Framework for Growth and wider Growth and Place priorities.
• Working with internal teams including procurement, finance, legal, communications, data and performance.
• Supporting effective use of the LES budget and ensuring compliance with governance, funding and procurement requirements.

About You

You will bring experience of economic development, business support, enterprise, public policy, project management, commissioning and/or a related field.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• Strong knowledge of business support, economic development and local enterprise activity.
• Experience of developing programmes, service models, specifications or delivery plans.
• Excellent communication, engagement and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to analyse evidence, business intelligence and performance information.
• Confidence working with businesses, partners, funders and internal services.
• Understanding of local government decision-making, governance and procurement.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver work to deadlines.
• A practical, collaborative and outcome-focused approach.

A full driving licence and access to a vehicle for business use is required.

For further information, please contact Alex Oxley on [e-mail]

Workplace Attendance

Working in the office 3+ days a week (pro-rata)

So that we can demonstrate Dudley’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and to improve bias in the recruitment process that could create barriers for candidates. Your personal data will be anonymised when you apply, to ensure that you comply with our anonymisation process, please ensure you have removed your name and date of birth from any attachments prior to uploading them to your application.

Online application forms will only be accepted for this vacancy, online facilities for jobs are available at public libraries within the Dudley Borough.

All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove their right to work in the UK.

Please note: Dudley MBC does not currently offer sponsorship for candidates without the Right to Work in the UK.

If you require support completing an online or paper application form and or interview techniques, please contact Dudley Adult and Community Learning on 01384 818 143 or [e-mail] who can support with Digital Skills and Job Applications.

If you have a disability and require assistance in making an application please contact the HR Resourcing Team via [e-mail]

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N.B. We reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the advertised date should we receive a large number of applications