At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the West Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership and drive tourism initiatives.
- Company: Join Leeds City Council, a major employer in the region with a focus on community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in boosting tourism and the local economy while collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Degree in Travel and Tourism and extensive experience in tourism management required.
The predicted salary is between 51356 - 54495 £ per year.
West Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership Manager
Contract: Fixed Term
Salary: PO6 £51,356 - £54,495
Hours: 37
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions. This is an exciting time to join the newly formed West Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership, between all five West Yorkshire Local Authorities and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. This position will sit within Leeds City Council as lead applicant for the partnership.
The Board is chaired by the Mayor of West Yorkshire and forms part of Visit England's new framework designed to support the tourism sector delivering on the West Yorkshire Destination Management Plan aimed at raising the profile of the region.
About you
As West Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership Manager you will:
- Have inclusive and collaborative leadership skills with strong stakeholder management skills.
- Lead the delivery of a suite of visitor economy metrics for West Yorkshire, which are recorded monthly and annually to enable effective benchmarking with KPIs and identify and drive action plans and manage risks resulting from such monitoring.
- Act as the project lead ensuring that external funding opportunities from a national, regional and local level are capitalised upon for the benefit of the West Yorkshire regional visitor economy.
- Act as the Visitor Economy project lead working closely with Local authority tourism leads and the events leads in bidding for and delivering major world class events for the region.
- Work closely with the local authority tourism leads to plan and deliver a suite of campaigns that encourages visits from our target markets.
- Provide briefings for senior officers and politicians on matters relating to the West Yorkshire Visitor Economy and respond to enquiries from respective Local Authority Leaders and Chief Executives, including via the Yorkshire Tourism Initiative.
About the role
This is an exciting opportunity to work as programme lead for the newly formed West Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership, liaising with tourism leads from each of the local authorities and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to deliver the actions set out within the Destination Management Plan, whilst ensuring good governance and providing administrative support where necessary.
To be suitable for the role you need extensive tourism experience, with a good knowledge of local government process, and the new framework as set out by Visit England and Visit Britain. This role will be fast paced and require someone with excellent programme management skills.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
- continuing professional development opportunities
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form.
Closing date: 30th July 2026
Sift w/c: 9th August 2026
Interviews w/c: 16th August 2026
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Belinda Eldridge, Head of Destination Marketing and International Relations at Leeds City Council or email belinda.
We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying.
To lead on the implementation and delivery of the Destination Management Plan for the West Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy partnership, which aims to increase national and international visitor numbers to the region, elevate the economic impact and business support for the tourism sector.
Lead the delivery of a suite of visitor economy metrics, which are recorded monthly and annually to enable effective benchmarking with KPIs and identify and drive action plans and manage risks resulting from such monitoring.
To act as the project lead ensuring that external funding opportunities from a national, regional and local level are capitalised upon for the benefit of the West Yorkshire regional visitor economy.
To act as the Visitor Economy project lead working closely with Local authority tourism leads and the events leads in bidding for and delivering major world class events for the region.
To work closely with the local authority tourism leads to plan and deliver a suite of campaigns that encourages visits from our target markets.
To provide briefings for senior officers and politicians on matters relating to the West Yorkshire Visitor Economy and respond to enquiries from respective Local Authority Leaders and Chief Executives via the Yorkshire Tourism Initiative.
Required
- Project management skills
- Ability to manage West Yorkshire stakeholders tasked with promoting West Yorkshire as a business and leisure tourism destination;
- Proven ability to formulate, action and monitor marketing strategies, promotional plans and projects to meet targets and deadlines;
- Ability to ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations, manage internal and external financial resources and deliver the Conference Desk to income target;
- A creative and considered approach;
- An enabling and collaborative attitude to partnership working and stakeholder management;
Knowledge Required
- Educated to degree level in a relevant field such as Travel and Tourism;
Experience Required
- Considerable years experience of conference desk delivery, sales and income management including delivery of KPIs;
- Considerable years experience of managing, motivating and developing staff in order to deliver a high quality service;
- Experience of working with other public and private sector partners and stakeholders providing tourism related services at a local, sub-regional, national and international level;
- Experience of leading on multi-agency tourism projects;
- Experience of using statistical research, analysis and interpretation to inform strategy and project plans.
Behavioural & other Characteristics required
- Demonstrate the Leeds City Council managers' habits to a high standard
- Sound professional and diplomatic judgement based on experience and personal resourcefulness
- An inclusive approach and a commitment to equality and diversity
- Contributes to own health and wellbeing and promotes the health, safety and wellbeing of others
- Commitment to their own continuing professional development and that of others in the team.
In depth understanding of the role and remit of local government in relation to the visitor economy and tourism management.
Basis: Full Time
Programme Manager - Self Management in Leeds employer: Leeds City Council
Leeds City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee development and community engagement. With a competitive salary, generous pension contributions, and a commitment to diversity, employees can thrive in a role that not only enhances their career but also contributes positively to the local environment and community well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
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Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for Leeds City Council and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leeds City Council
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with Leeds City Council, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
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Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for Leeds City Council.
