Senior Economic Development and Culture Officer

Full Time for 3 years, then hours reducing to 3 days per week. This change of hours will be reviewed closer to the point of reduction.

Are you passionate about helping to grow the local economy and cultural development?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a newly formed team with a new focus on cultural delivery alongside economic development and tourism delivery.

 

Who?

Wealden District Council are committed to growing an economy that enables people to live well, by helping to support the creation of good local jobs, support our market towns and encourage entrepreneurs and home-grown businesses.

The Council is seeking a Senior Economic Development and Culture Officer to join the newly established team.  We are looking for an enthusiastic self-starter who is looking to make a positive contribution to Wealden’s economy, business community and cultural offer.

The role will involve managing a team of three officers to deliver against the priorities in economic development, culture, tourism and employment and skills.   The immediate priorities will be the delivery of our Shared Prosperity Funding year 4 allocation, developing and shaping our future work around cultural delivery given the refocus and commitment of the Council to cultural development, and delivery of the Economic Development Strategy.

If you are looking for a new opportunity within economic development and culture and want to join a new team, then this is the role for you!

 

What will you be doing?

The Senior Economic Development and Culture Officer will be responsible for:

• Leading the development of a new Cultural Strategy for the District
• Delivering, with key partners and stakeholders, the recommendations from the recently adopted Economic Development Strategy for the District
• Identifying external funding opportunities to improve economic and cultural outcomes and lead on the submission of bids
• Manage a team of Economic Development and Cultural officers and lead ongoing service improvement.
• Manage and monitor grant funding programs.

 

What do you need?

• Enthusiastic, highly motivated self-started with ability to positively influence and motivate others.
• Considerable experience of working on service delivery relating to economic development, tourism or culture
• Considerable experience of partnership working including ability to consult and work effectively with a range of individuals, groups and organisations to deliver economic development, tourism and culture priorities.
• Experience of supervising and managing staff
• Project management experience

 

What do we offer?

• Working for a great, forward-thinking Local Authority.
• Excellent salary, pension, flexible working, fantastic employee benefits and comprehensive staff health & wellbeing scheme.
• A friendly, supportive team and a range of opportunities for continuing professional development.
• Hybrid working with the ability to work from home as well as from our newly refurbished offices in Hailsham.
• Free parking.

 

For more information

For more information and an informal chat about the opportunities please contact Emma Wray, Economic Development and Culture Manager, telephone number 07966 301728.

 

Post Number: J7008

Closing Date: Sunday 9th February

Interview Date: 24th February 2025.  Alternative Date 20th February 2025

 

Wealden District Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are committed to maintaining a diverse workforce and an inclusive work environment. We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities and all applications will be treated on merit.

 

To Apply

Please visit our ‘How to Apply’ page for advice on how best to complete your application.

Click on the “Apply Online Now” link to be taken to our online recruitment portal. You will be prompted to log in to your existing account or create a new one. Remember to add a contact email address and mobile number when applying.

Please note applications could time out. So, ensure you have created an account and save your information as you go along. We would suggest you keep a copy of your personal statement on a separate document until you are ready to paste this into your application and submit.

If you are unable to apply online, have a query or require an alternative application method, please email human.resources@wealden.gov.uk or call 01892 602424. Make sure you know the post number and include it in your email or provide it when asked during your telephone call.

 

Job Description