Service Director - Economy and Infrastructure

Lincolnshire County Council; Swineshead; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Lincolnshire County Council seeks a driven Service Director – Economy and Infrastructure to provide strategic leadership across a broad portfolio, advising elected members and the corporate leadership team.

You will lead high-performing services, build trusted relationships with government, investors and partners, and turn strategic ambition into tangible outcomes that support inclusive growth and long-term resilience.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in leading complex economy, infrastructure, regeneration or place-based portfolios.
• Experience delivering programmes with measurable results.
• Strong strategic and tactical delivery capability.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Evidence of cross-organisational collaboration and influencing policy.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across economy and infrastructure portfolios.
• Advise elected members and senior leadership and build trusted external relationships.
• Lead major programmes that drive growth, productivity and connectivity.
• Secure external funding and investment through robust propositions and partnerships.
• Ensure alignment of economic, environmental and planning priorities with delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Programme delivery

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Financial governance

Risk management

Communication

Collaboration

Investment capability

Policy influence

Change leadership

Value for money

English fluency

Job description

We are looking for a driven and ambitious leader to join us as Service Director - Economy and Infrastructure. This is a key senior leadership role at the heart of delivering our adopted Council Plan 2026-2031 and its ambition for a county where people want to live, work, visit and bring up a family. You will lead the work that grows our county's economy and connects our county, while ensuring that investment also supports and empowers residents, keeps communities safe and protects Lincolnshire's distinctive landscapes. Working corporately and with partners across the public and private sectors, you will turn strategic ambition into visible outcomes. You will champion our place, secure investment, influence policy and bring together the programmes, partnerships and delivery capacity required to support inclusive growth and long-term resilience., As Service Director, you will provide strategic leadership across a broad economy and infrastructure portfolio. You will advise elected members and the corporate leadership team, lead high-performing services and build trusted relationships with government, the GLCCA, business, investors, local authorities and other key partners.

• Champion Lincolnshire's strengths and needs locally and nationally, creating the conditions for growth, productivity and good jobs.
• Work with the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority, government and other partners to secure investment in infrastructure and skills, enabling residents and businesses to benefit from current and future opportunities.
• Set a clear strategic direction for spatial planning, development opportunities, business growth, economic development, environmental policy, infrastructure and investment.
• Lead the development and delivery of major programmes that support growth, productivity, regeneration and connectivity.
• Secure external funding and investment, developing credible propositions and robust delivery partnerships.
• Ensure that economic priorities and environmental priorities are aligned with planning, transport, housing, skills, digital connectivity, energy and environmental objectives.
• Ensure plan-making through the T&CP system and decision-making in the planning system reflects business, community and legislative requirements.
• Ensure that key infrastructure provision in respect of water management, energy supply, connectivity and flood defence is planned for and delivered
• Represent and advocate for the Council with government, regional and national bodies, investors and strategic partners.
• Provide visible, inclusive leadership, developing talented teams and a strong culture of collaboration, commercial awareness and delivery.
• Manage significant resources, programmes and risk with strong governance, financial discipline and a relentless focus on outcomes., This is a rare opportunity to influence the future of a place with significant potential and ambition. You will work at the heart of strategic decision-making, leading a portfolio with direct impact on economic growth, prosperity, productivity and quality of life. In return, we offer a highly influential role, a supportive and collaborative leadership environment, and the scope to make an enduring contribution. You will be an accomplished senior leader with the credibility, judgement and political awareness to operate effectively in a complex public-service environment. Strategic and outward-looking, you will combine a strong understanding of place and economic growth with the ability to deliver at scale.
• A strong track record of leading complex economy, infrastructure, regeneration or place-based portfolios.
• Experience and evidence of effective programme and project delivery.
• Evidence of translating strategy into deliverable programmes and measurable results.
• Evidence of a problem solving mindset and a customer focused, responsive cultural approach.
• Evidence of effective and successful collaborative working.
• Evidence of the ability to balance conflicting priorities across a wide ranging and complex portfolio of services.
• Experience of securing investment, influencing policy and working across organisational boundaries.
• Commercial acumen and sound financial, programme and risk management.
• Excellent communication, partnership and stakeholder-management skills.
• The ability to inspire confidence, lead through change and create the conditions in which people can perform at their best.
• A commitment to delivering value for money, inclusive growth and excellent outcomes for residents, communities and businesses.
• In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.