Business Skills & Strategy Lead

Business Skills & Strategy Lead

Permanent, Full Time

£44,434 - £52,275 per annum

Location: Chelmsford*

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Closing Date: 19th November 2025

*This is a hybrid-working role, with a requirement to work at a functional work location 2-3 days per month on average, depending on business need.

Essex County Council is a systems leader for Skills and Economic Growth, working with public and private sector partners to shape an inclusive and integrated approach to skills, business support and inward investment in the County.  

The Business Skills and Strategy Lead will take a systems leadership mindset to align and set the strategic direction for the business-facing services in Essex County Council, leading the development of policy and strategy at a service, directorate, and corporate level. The role will work with senior leaders and colleagues to set the business priorities and objectives, developing shared plans that support growth, while also directly contributing the transition phase of devolution and the creation of economic policy for a Mayoral County Combined Authority for Greater Essex.

The Business Skills and Strategy Lead will work closely with business, business networks and intermediaries, government agencies and public sector institutions, leading on behalf of the service strategic influencing, brokerage and engagement on national and regional policy matters.

The role will support the development key sectors and attraction of investment to Essex, sharing insight on policy approaches and best practice from across the country, supporting managers from across the service to translate this to effective policy and service design.  The role will involve leading key projects and initiatives with stakeholders, internally and externally, which support skills development and employment and business growth in the region.

Accountabilities

Deploy a ‘systems thinking’ mindset and approach with the ability to understand how different organisations, departments and projects depend on one another to secure inclusive and attract investment across the economy, skills, inward investment and business landscape, applying this thinking creatively to lead the development of service planning and strategy.

To lead formulation of sector/ place/ major project opportunities for economic growth, collaborating with subject matter experts, colleagues, commissioned services, utilising market information to develop, draft and deliver business growth and employment opportunities in the region.

Contribute to the development of corporate and partner strategies, ensuring that the overall vision, values, and strategic objectives are embedded within economic growth strategies across the county, avoiding replication of activity in the region.

To provide information updates, briefing papers and co-ordinate responses to senior leadership teams and members including the cabinet; including drafting responses to government (and other) consultation papers and brief elected members, through formal and informal mechanisms, as required.

Foster the development of a positive, forward looking, outcome and customer focused department, which supports strong relationships and a reputation for achieving outcomes and resolving issues.

Be responsible for the development and implementation of a structured visual programme management approach to coordinate a strategic approach to growth across the business facing services in the Sustainable Growth Directorate.

Develop key relationships at senior level with business, government departments and agencies, local authorities and training providers, securing buy in and funding. Develop key relationships with industry leaders and bodies and use these to galvanise support and determine how system change can be ensured.

Deliver ECC’s business account management approach and serve as a primary point of contact to build and maintain trusting relationships with businesses, industry representatives and partners.

Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

Educated to RQF level 6 (degree level) in relevant fields such as business, economics or equivalent by experience.

Significant experience of a business, economic development or skills related function, with evidence of successfully delivering strategic outcomes and of being customer focused.

Evidenced ability to take initiative and lead business development and partnership activity, at pace, to clear objectives and outcomes.

Ability to develop excellent working relationships within industry and with colleagues across the public, education and voluntary sectors, which are influential and collaborative in nature and engender delivery. 

Experience of strategic programme management, at a senior level, ideally within public policy and/or local/regional government. 

Analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.

Strong leadership skills which drive a highly performing and motivated multi-disciplinary team from diverse backgrounds, to achieve strategic objectives

Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area.

To read more about us please visit: Policy, Economy, Investment and Public Health - Working for Essex

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

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

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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