Economic Development Manager for Prosperity, Ipswich

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX Salary: £43,693 – £50,788 per annum (pro rata for part time) Hours: 37 hours per week Contract: Permanent Full time, part time and job share opportunities will be considered. What we are looking forWe are looking for an Economic Development Manager to join our Economic Development Team. If you are passionate about supporting business growth and investment, and would like to be part of the team, leading on strategic initiatives for our Districts, then we would love to hear from you.Babergh and Mid Suffolk regularly top surveys as some of the best places to live in the UK and for our spectacular natural assets including Constable Country, Dedham Vale, Lavenham and the Wool Towns, Shotley Peninsula and the Heart of Suffolk.

This high quality of life is a key selling point to inward investors and reinforce the areas proposition as an attractive place to live, work and visit.We are a multi-award-winning Local Authority, obtaining awards for a range of our services including Building Control and Regeneration and have been named council of the Year for 2024. About the roleOur vision for the Economy of our Districts has been shaped by our new Economic Strategy and we are passionate about delivering this vision to drive economic ambition, innovation and create new higher wage jobs, supporting our many fast-growing businesses in the districts.We are seeking a motivated and experienced person to join our team to ensure that Babergh and Mid Suffolk maximises opportunities to increase the prosperity of our residents and businesses and promote the districts’ as a vibrant and successful business location as well as supporting the growth and development of existing companies to help deliver more high paid jobs for our residents.The role would suit someone used to dealing with business, developers and stakeholders, someone who likes variety within their role and someone who is driven by a desire to deliver inclusive economic growth. Working closely with key businesses and stakeholders across the district, this job is all about relationship building, business engagement and problem solving.

Working with colleagues from across the councils as well as senior business leaders, we’re looking for a people person who is passionate about the local economy and business development. Want to be a part of this? This dynamic, wide-ranging role will include a wide variety of responsibilities, including: work with a range of committed partners and stakeholders across the districts to deliver support packages that provide businesses with what they need to grow and be successful develop concepts for new projects and initiatives which support the growth and development of our Districts and support the development and delivery of the councils’ ambitious Economic Growth Plans develop our innovation and investment offers provide specialist economic advice into planning applications and planning policy development liaise with a broad portfolio of businesses in every sector to facilitate their growth and development.

About youYou will share our values, commitment, and motivation to make a difference for our residents, businesses, stakeholders and communities. There is great potential for you to make this role “your own” and to bring new ideas and creative thinking to help shape how we deliver our economic development activities. About usWorking together across our councils and with our partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors, we provide excellent services to our 190,000 residents and 8,000 businesses across Babergh and Mid Suffolk.We are proud of the role we play in creating the environment, economy, and communities for our districts.

We believe that the heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work. Benefits: Great opportunities for learning and development Generous leave entitlement (equivalent to 26 days a year, increasing to 31 days after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays) Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme Wellbeing Support Program Employee Assist Program Health care optionsFor more information, please visit our Employee Benefits page. Our ways of workingWork is what we do, not where we go!

We are committed to working in a more hybrid way, with a mix of office, home, and remote based working (business needs permitting). This has worked well for us and is something we will be continuing with. We are committed to supporting equality and diversity, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils provide opportunity and ambition for all, supporting and enabling our people to deliver the best possible service for our residents.

Working together across our councils and with our partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors, we provide excellent services to our 190,000 residents across Babergh and Mid Suffolk. We are proud of the role we play in creating the environment, economy, and communities for our districts. We believe that the Heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work.

With picturesque market towns, 60 conservation areas and with two National Landscapes within our districts, it is little wonder that we are consistently within the top 50 places to live in the UK. For more information Please read the Job Description and Person Specification (pdf) before applying for this job opportunity. If you wish to discuss the hybrid working approach for this role, or for an informal discussion, please contact Michelle Gordon by either calling 07922 416690 or emailing michelle.gordon@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk.

Closing date: 12am, 29 June 2025 When applying, please ensure: that you complete the application form as fully as possible with your employment and educational history as shortlisting will be based upon the application form and supporting statement only. your statement indicates how you meet each of the criteria in the ‘Person Profile’ section of the Job Description/Person Specification (JDPS). This authority 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.

DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.