At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives to attract and support businesses in the City of London.
- Company: Join the City of London Corporation, a key player in global finance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, high-profile role, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the economic future of one of the world's most dynamic business hubs.
- Qualifications: Experience in economic development and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; commitment to equal opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 75100 - 103000 £ per year.
This is a pivotal leadership position responsible for delivering and supporting business and investment into the Square Mile, targeting both existing and new business occupiers and sectors, as well as investment into development to provide a thriving City.
Operating at the heart of one of the world’s leading financial and commercial centres, the successful candidate will play a central role in strengthening the City’s economic base by securing inward investment, and by attracting, retaining, and supporting the growth of a diverse portfolio of occupiers across high-growth sectors including financial and professional services, digital and tech, and other sectors from SME to larger businesses.
The role will work with the property industry to attract and retain investors in development to accommodate these businesses and the wider ecosystem that supports a thriving business base. This role offers the opportunity to shape and grow a talented team and to deliver a refreshed approach to how the City works with and supports business and investors in the Square Mile, with direct impact on the City’s future resilience and competitiveness.
The Role
- Lead the City Business and Investment Unit (CBIU), providing strategic oversight across investment attraction, business retention, and SME development.
- Develop and implement a robust business and investment strategy aligned with the City Corporation’s broader economic, spatial, and destination goals.
- Provide insight-driven leadership in support of occupier retention and growth, building meaningful relationships with existing and prospective businesses, including delivery of the City’s SME Strategy and supporting the City’s Destination City programme.
- Develop and lead a robust approach to key account management with the City’s key occupiers and investors, and develop strong relationships with partners to enable a true partnership approach to growth in business and investment in the City.
- Drive strategic engagement with the property market, leveraging knowledge of commercial real estate trends to shape policy and inform investment decisions.
- Represent the Corporation at senior-level forums and high-profile events in the UK and internationally, including MIPIM and Expo Real.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, including elected Members, on investment-led development, economic competitiveness, and the business landscape.
The Requirements
- A deep understanding of occupier markets and business ecosystems, and how these interact with the built environment and wider investment landscape.
- Significant experience in economic development, inward investment, and/or property-related fields, ideally within a complex urban or city context.
- A proven ability to engage senior stakeholders across public and private sectors and deliver cross-organisational programmes.
- Strong political awareness and the ability to provide high-level policy guidance within a local authority or equivalent governance structure.
- Experience of developing and managing high-performing teams and delivering strategic transformation.
- Experience in developing and working in high-impact partnerships to deliver outcomes.
- Excellent communication, influencing, and presentation skills, with experience preparing senior-level briefings, strategy documents and promotional content.
Why Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to shape the City of London’s economic future at a time of national and global transformation. You will be part of a forward-looking organisation committed to sustainable growth, inclusive prosperity, and international competitiveness.
We offer a highly competitive salary, and the chance to work in a high-profile role at the centre of one of the world’s most dynamic business locations.
Details
- Salary: £85,170 - £97,310 per annum inclusive of all allowances
- Basis: Full-Time, Permanent
- Workplace: Workplace Based
- Closing date: Noon on Monday 8th September 2025
The City of London Corporation is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. The City of London Corporation reserves the right to close the advert earlier should we receive a high number of applications. We will consider flexible working and job sharing where possible in line with policies and business needs.
City Business & Investment Director in London employer: City of London Corporation
Contact Detail:
City of London Corporation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land City Business & Investment Director in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. The more connections we make, the better our chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a personal brand that highlights your skills and experience. Share insights on social media or write articles related to business and investment trends. This not only positions us as knowledgeable but also attracts attention from recruiters and employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews like it’s game day! Research the company thoroughly, understand their goals, and think about how we can contribute to their success. Practise common interview questions and have our own questions ready to show genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, we can tailor our application to highlight how our skills align with the City Business & Investment Director role. Let’s make sure we stand out from the crowd!
We think you need these skills to ace City Business & Investment Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in economic development and investment. We want to see how your skills align with the role of City Business & Investment Director, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: This role is all about leading a team and driving strategic initiatives. Use your application to demonstrate your leadership style and any successful projects you've managed. We’re keen to see how you can shape and grow a talented team!
Highlight Your Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging with senior stakeholders is key in this position. Share examples of how you've built relationships across public and private sectors. We love seeing candidates who can navigate complex environments and influence decision-making!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at City of London Corporation
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the current trends in the occupier markets and business ecosystems. Understanding how these interact with the built environment will give you a solid foundation to discuss your insights and strategies during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've led teams and driven strategic transformation in previous roles. Highlight your experience in developing high-performing teams and how you’ve successfully managed cross-organisational programmes.
✨Build Relationships
Demonstrate your ability to engage with senior stakeholders across both public and private sectors. Prepare to discuss how you've built meaningful relationships with businesses and investors, and how you can leverage these connections for the City’s growth.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. You’ll need to prepare for high-level discussions, so think about how you can present complex ideas simply. Bring along examples of strategy documents or briefings you've prepared to showcase your communication skills.