Senior Manager High Streets & Town Centres

Tower Hamlets; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Annual leave 29–33 days

Flexible working

Staff money-saving schemes

Learning and development

Job summary

Tower Hamlets Council is seeking a capable leader to drive town centre and high street improvement programmes in London. You will oversee a small team and directly manage select high streets while building strong partnerships with businesses, developers and community organisations.

Responsibilities include developing place-based initiatives, monitoring performance, and securing funding for regeneration projects.

Qualifications

• Experience of managing a team delivering town centre, high street, economic development, regeneration or place management initiatives.
• A strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing modern high streets and town centres.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build productive partnerships across a diverse range of organisations and communities.
• Experience of developing and managing projects from inception through to successful delivery.
• Strong communication, presentation and influencing skills.
• The ability to analyse data, identify trends and translate findings into practical actions and recommendations.
• Experience of budget management, procurement and contract monitoring.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities within a fast-paced environment.
• A proactive and solution-focused approach to problem solving.
• A commitment to delivering excellent outcomes for residents, businesses and local communities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of town centre and high street improvement programmes.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with businesses, traders, landlords, developers, community organisations and strategic partners.
• Develop place-based initiatives that increase footfall, improve the visitor experience and support economic growth.
• Coordinate activities that improve the appearance, safety and attractiveness of high streets and town centres.
• Identify funding opportunities and support the delivery of regeneration and public realm projects.
• Organise and support events, markets, promotions and engagement activities that showcase local town centres.
• Monitor town centre performance, analyse trends and use data to inform decision-making and future investment.
• Manage projects, budgets and contracts, ensuring delivery against agreed objectives, timescales and performance measures.
• Work collaboratively with internal council services and external partners to address issues affecting local businesses and town centres.
• Prepare reports, briefings and recommendations for senior managers, elected members and key stakeholders.
• Act as an advocate for Tower Hamlets' town centres, representing the Council at meetings, forums and partnership groups.

Skills

Team management

Town centre regeneration

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Communication

Data analysis

Budget management

Organisational skills

Problem solving

Community focus

Job description

About The Role

• You will be leading a small team as well as taking direct responsibility for some high streets directly.
• Lead the development and delivery of town centre and high street improvement programmes.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with businesses, traders, landlords, developers, community organisations and strategic partners.
• Develop place-based initiatives that increase footfall, improve the visitor experience and support economic growth.
• Coordinate activities that improve the appearance, safety and attractiveness of high streets and town centres.
• Identify funding opportunities and support the delivery of regeneration and public realm projects.
• Organise and support events, markets, promotions and engagement activities that showcase local town centres.
• Monitor town centre performance, analyse trends and use data to inform decision-making and future investment.
• Manage projects, budgets and contracts, ensuring delivery against agreed objectives, timescales and performance measures.
• Work collaboratively with internal council services and external partners to address issues affecting local businesses and town centres.
• Prepare reports, briefings and recommendations for senior managers, elected members and key stakeholders.
• Act as an advocate for Tower Hamlets' town centres, representing the Council at meetings, forums and partnership groups.

About You

• Experience of managing a team delivering town centre, high street, economic development, regeneration or place management initiatives.
• A strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing modern high streets and town centres.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build productive partnerships across a diverse range of organisations and communities.
• Experience of developing and managing projects from inception through to successful delivery.
• Strong communication, presentation and influencing skills.
• The ability to analyse data, identify trends and translate findings into practical actions and recommendations.
• Experience of budget management, procurement and contract monitoring.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities within a fast-paced environment.
• A proactive and solution-focused approach to problem solving.
• A commitment to delivering excellent outcomes for residents, businesses and local communities.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in supporting the growth, resilience and long-term success of Tower Hamlets' high streets and town centres, helping to create places where businesses can thrive and communities can prosper.

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary Grade M £64,815 - £68,265 plus allowances.

• Local Government Pension Scheme membership.

• Generous annual leave: 29 days, rising to 33 with 5+ years' service, plus bank holidays and 3 additional days at Christmas.

• Flexible and agile working to support work-life balance.

• Staff money-saving schemes (e.g., rent deposit loans, season ticket loans).

• Learning and development opportunities through our Learning Academy, with clear career development and leadership pathways.

About Tower Hamlets

Tower Hamlets is a truly unique borough at the heart of London - a place where history and innovation sit side by side. From the docks and markets that shaped the East End to the global business hub of Canary Wharf, we are proud to be one of the most dynamic, diverse, and ambitious communities in the UK. We are also one of the fastest growing and youngest boroughs in the country, offering unrivalled opportunities to make a real difference to people's lives. Our residents are energetic, creative, and resilient, and our council is committed to delivering the best possible services and opportunities for them.

Our award-winning new Town Hall in Whitechapel provides a modern, flexible workplace for our staff, right at the heart of the borough and directly opposite Whitechapel Tube and Elizabeth line station. It is more than just a workplace - it's a hub for collaboration, innovation and community, designed to bring out the best in our people.

As an employer, we put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. Our active Employee Network Groups celebrate and champion our workforce, helping to ensure that everyone feels a sense of belonging. Guided by our TOWER values - Together, Open, Willing, Excellent and Respect - we are building a positive, inclusive culture where colleagues can thrive.

At Tower Hamlets Council, you'll find exciting challenges, supportive colleagues, and the chance to shape one of London's most important and vibrant places. If you're looking for a role where you can see the impact of your work every day, then Tower Hamlets is the place for you.