Head of Economic Infrastructure

Job Description

Our StorySurrey County Council is making its most significant ever investment in supporting Surreys economy. As the largest economy outside of London, and set against the backdrop of one of the most challenging and complex economic horizons in recent times, Surreys new Economy Team will support the Council in its ambitions to focus on the whole Surrey economy and to provide a resilient and ambitious economic environment through unprecedented economic challenges. This work has already started with the development of Surreys 2030 Economic Strategy which establishes a positive strategic context for growth, sets out the opportunity to both retain and secure additional investment in the county and focuses on how we will create inclusive, vibrant centres within the county through a hyper-local approach to innovative place making.The One Surrey Growth Board is also bringing forward its Plan for Growth, setting out how a focus on Surreys economic strengths can be enabled by sustainable, long-term planning of transport and digital infrastructure as well as the creation of high-quality homes and communities of the future. Through targeted economic interventions linked to the delivery of high-quality place-based growth, Surrey will retain its role as an economic leader and continue to underpin the economic recovery of the UK. Sustained, strong partnership working is at the heart of the programme of work and our Growth Board intends to work with all stakeholders to build from the Plan for Growth bringing an appealing Growth Deal proposition to Government early in 2021. The proposition will set out how a different arrangement of resources, freedoms and flexibilities for Surrey can deliver at speed and scale against multiple Government priorities.We are seeking a high calibre candidate to join us on this exciting and rewarding journey. If you have a track record in working in complex partnership structures, delivering on ambitious economic strategies using innovative economic interventions through an empirical approach, then we want to hear from you.About the RoleAs our Head of Economic Infrastructure, you will be the specialist point of contact for economic infrastructure across the Surrey geography. This includes responsibility for the interface between business, Surreys strategic economic drivers (such as digital infrastructure rollout, housing and transport connectivity) and new place-based interventions to facilitate improved economic outcomes.You will lead on the oversight and delivery of Surreys Economic Strategies and Plans, managing resource, establishing appropriate interventions, KPIs and ensuring that suitable performance management systems are in place to deliver on corporate objectives.Beside all of this you will lead and manage your team, inspiring and motivating them to make positive contributions and using your expert advice and guidance to support their professional development. You will lead by example and demonstrate that by being proactive, with a positive attitude and a determined future focused outlook you are able to really thrive in this fast-paced environment.About You This role will support the delivery of a high profile portfolio of work for Surrey, therefore we are looking for candidates who are able to present themselves positively with confidence and conviction and with the ability to inspire both respect and trust amongst colleagues, partners and peers. We are looking for a stand-out individual with a successful track record of strategic leadership. Using experience gained within a similar role, you will understand the challenges of working across complex organisational boundaries, whilst acknowledging that effective partnership working can deliver improved economic outcomes.You will be able to demonstrate experience and skills in the following:

Delivering strategy and taking vision to action

Dynamic and brave leadership

Innovative and creative thinking whilst being solution focussed

Successful working with senior executives

Commercial focus

Ability to thrive in a changeable environment

Awareness of a political context

Experience of working at scale comparable with county level

Experience of running strategic capital programmes and levering capital funding, leading on and delivering complex economic infrastructure programmes will be critical. We do not expect you to have experience of all elements of economic structure such as digital, land and housing, however demonstrable experience in at least one of the key elements is required.For more information please refer to the role profile attached at the bottom of this advert as well as the research piece charting-surreys-post-covid-rescue-recovery-and-growth.pdfWe look forward to hearing from you!Additional informationContact detailsTo request an informal chat about the role with Dawn Redpath please contact Kate Northwood via email We look forward to receiving your application. The job advert closes at 23:59 on Sunday 24th January 2021.Interviews will be held virtually and are anticipated to take place W/C 1st February 2021. Details of the selection process will be shared with you if your application is successfully shortlisted but please note there may be a second stage to the selection process for this rolePlease note that Surrey County Councils headquarters, where this role is currently based, will be phasing a relocation back into Surrey to support our Community Vision 2030. Agile and flexible working is welcomed and supported; we care about the job you do, not where you do it.From flexible working to job sharing (where possible) we are committed to providing a healthy work life balance. A laptop and mobile will be supplied if applicable to your role. You will benefit from 26 days annual leave, rising to 28 days after 2 years service, a generous local government salary related pension, as well as the option to join our car lease scheme. For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit MyBenefits for Surrey County Council staff.Surrey County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all under represented groups.