At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead projects to boost economic growth in Braintree and Colchester.
- Company: Join Braintree District Council and Colchester City Council, committed to community development.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, hybrid working, and a local government pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local businesses and communities while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Relevant degree or equivalent experience in economic development and project management required.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements available; apply by 11th August!
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 60000 £ per year.
Braintree District Council and Colchester City Council have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Economic Development Officer to join the Economic Development team based in Braintree, Essex, working across both the district of Braintree and the city of Colchester.
Location: Braintree, Essex, CM7 9HB
Salary: Up to £51,436 per annum dependent on experience
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
About Us:
Braintree District Council and Colchester City Council have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Economic Development Officer to join the Economic Development team based in Braintree, Essex, working across both the district of Braintree and the city of Colchester.
Both Councils have ambitious growth and economic development agendas and are looking for an experienced and motivated individual able to work on their own initiative and as part of an integrated team, to make a significant positive impact on residents, businesses and those looking to invest in our District, City and communities.
Lead Economic Development Officer – The Role:
You will be hosted at Braintree District Council but will work across both Councils where you will be responsible for devising and managing your own projects to offer support to businesses and the growing economic sectors across Braintree and Colchester. Developing and maintaining relationships with businesses, residents and a wide range of key stakeholders is critical to the success of the role, facilitating partnership working and business buy in. Additionally, this role will play a lead role in the economic development team at Braintree District Council, where the post holder will manage the Economic Development team provide strategic leadership for the Councils wider economic growth activity.
Lead Economic Development Officer – Key Responsibilities:
– To lead on the delivery of Braintree\’s Economic Growth Strategy by identifying, planning, managing and delivering projects, alongside the economic development team, to deliver against the Councils economic development priorities
– Lead the drafting of the annual corporate Business Plan for the economic development service in Braintree District Council (BDC)
– To take lead responsibility for the setting and monitoring of economic development related budgets in BDC
– Responsibility for the commissioning and delivery of an economic evidence base covering Braintree and Colchester local authority areas
– To undertake procurement and manage contracts for a range of public and business facing economic development projects
Lead Economic Development Officer – You:
– A proven track record of coordinating the delivery of strategic programmes and projects using appropriate systems and procedures
– Experience of partnership working with external partners
– A relevant degree or significant equivalent experience
– Experience of working with the business community
– Experience of working in Economic Development
– Experience of project working/project management
– A working knowledge of the public sector and funding opportunities.
– Commercially minded with knowledge of local, regional, national and international economic and skills issues
– Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with internal service partners
Lead Economic Development Officer – Benefits:
Braintree District Council is a great place to work. We pride ourselves on our creative, innovative and forward-thinking approach which is led by our staff. We are committed to having an engaged workforce who understand our strategy and how they can help deliver it. Some of the benefits of working for Braintree District Council are:
– Competitive pay and benefits
-Hybrid working arrangements are available in this role (home/office based) subject to business need
– Local government pension scheme
– Learning and development for all staff
– Staff discounts at local businesses
– Staff recognition schemes
– Extensive health and wellbeing programme including discounted gym membership
Closing date: Midnight on Monday 11th August
Interviews Friday 22nd August and Wednesday 27th August 2025
To submit your application for this exciting Lead Economic Development Officer opportunity, please click ‘Apply\’ now!
Lead Economic Development Officer in Braintree employer: Braintree District Council
Contact Detail:
Braintree District Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Economic Development Officer in Braintree
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the economic development sector, especially those who have experience working with local councils. Attend relevant events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Braintree District Council and Colchester City Council's current economic strategies and projects. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your understanding of their goals during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in managing economic development projects. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully led initiatives that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to build relationships by preparing to discuss how you've collaborated with various stakeholders in the past. Highlight your communication skills and your approach to fostering partnerships that drive economic growth.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Economic Development Officer in Braintree
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the key responsibilities and requirements for the Lead Economic Development Officer position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these aspects.
Craft a Compelling CV: Ensure your CV is up-to-date and clearly outlines your relevant experience in economic development, project management, and partnership working. Use bullet points for clarity and focus on achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
Write a Strong Cover Letter: Your cover letter should complement your CV by providing specific examples of your past work that relate to the responsibilities of the role. Emphasise your ability to lead projects and build relationships with stakeholders, as these are crucial for this position.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are important traits for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Braintree District Council
✨Understand the Councils' Economic Strategies
Familiarise yourself with Braintree District Council and Colchester City Council's economic growth strategies. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their ambitious agendas.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Highlight your experience in managing projects, especially those related to economic development. Be ready to provide specific examples of successful projects you've led, focusing on outcomes and stakeholder engagement.
✨Demonstrate Relationship-Building Abilities
Since the role involves working closely with businesses and stakeholders, prepare to discuss your approach to building and maintaining effective relationships. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with external partners in the past.
✨Prepare for Budget Management Questions
As the role includes setting and monitoring economic development budgets, be ready to discuss your experience with financial management. Think of instances where you've effectively managed budgets and how you ensured projects stayed within financial constraints.