Practice Lead, Economic Growth
Practice Lead, Economic Growth

Practice Lead, Economic Growth

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
Palladium

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead economic growth initiatives and shape impactful strategies for sustainable development.
  • Company: Join Palladium, a global leader in creating positive change across 90+ countries.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference by driving economic resilience and inclusion for communities worldwide.
  • Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in economic growth and proven success in large-scale programmes.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to equity and safeguarding.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ per year.

About Palladium

Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe; broaden access to health, water, power, and infrastructure; build enduring, sustainable, and transformative institutions and market systems to address global challenges; and conserve the natural world. We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of 2,100 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities.

This Opportunity

Palladium’s UKEA Partnership is seeking a Practice Lead, Economic Growth for its Economic Growth Practice, building on its long‑standing leadership in economic growth, private sector development and market systems. The practice’s mission is to support governments and partners to build resilient, productive and inclusive economies that can withstand shocks, adapt to structural change and deliver sustainable livelihoods. This includes strengthening the policies, institutions and markets that underpin economic opportunity, productive employment and private sector‑led growth.

Practice Offer Includes:

  • Economic policy and institutional reform: Supporting governments to design and implement policies that promote productivity, resilience and inclusive growth.
  • Market systems and private sector development: Strengthening key sectors and value chains, improving market functioning and addressing constraints to enterprise growth.
  • Jobs, livelihoods and inclusion: Creating better income and employment opportunities, particularly for women, young people and marginalised groups.
  • Economic resilience and security: Supporting countries to manage economic shocks, structural risks and vulnerabilities.
  • Large‑scale economic programmes: Designing and delivering complex, multi‑country or multi‑sector programmes that translate reform into tangible economic outcomes.

The Practice Lead, Economic Growth will help shape and provide strategic leadership, market direction, commercial and delivery oversight for the practice. The role is responsible for shaping a compelling market‑facing offer, growing a high‑quality pipeline of work, and ensuring excellence in delivery across complex programmes commissioned by donors, governments or private sector clients.

Location: The position will be based in Palladium’s London office. Please note that applicants must have the right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Palladium follows a hybrid working model, with three days in the office and two days remote.

Reporting Lines

The Practice Lead, Economic Growth will report to the Regional Director, UKEA. This role will have supervisory responsibilities and will work closely with Palladium’s other teams, particularly Climate & Environment, Finance & Investment and Health to ensure integrated and coherent client solutions.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Practice strategy and leadership: Define and lead a clear strategic vision for the Economic Growth Practice aligned with Palladium UKEA’s regional strategy and global priorities. Evolve Palladium’s legacy economic growth offer into a contemporary proposition that includes resilience, security and inclusion. Position Palladium as a partner of choice for economic reform, private sector development and resilience building, building on its global track record and delivery credibility. Contribute as a senior member of the UKEA team to wider organisational transformation and growth. Own and grow a strategic, diversified pipeline of new business opportunities. Lead bid strategies for major tenders, including opportunity shaping and positioning; commercial and pricing strategies; partnering strategies and leadership in pitching or bidding processes. Build and maintain senior‑level client relationships with key government departments in the UK (e.g. FCDO, DBT) and overseas, DFIs and MDBs, Foundations, and other relevant organisations. Maintain a strong understanding of evolving priorities related to economic resilience, fragility and economic security.
  • Delivery oversight and quality assurance: Provide senior oversight of the Economic Growth portfolio to ensure technical excellence and impact, strong delivery and financial performance, and high client satisfaction. Act as programme director for selected programmes.
  • Team leadership and management: Build and lead a high‑performing, multidisciplinary team, drawing on Palladium’s global expertise and external partners. Clarify roles and accountabilities within the team; provide regular feedback to team members. Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration, delivery excellence and wellbeing.
  • Market positioning and thought leadership: Represent Palladium at senior external forums, such as conferences and events. Drive the development of thought leadership within practice focus areas. Contribute to Palladium’s global teams in relevant areas.

Core skills:

  • Strategic, systems‑level thinker with strong commercial judgement.
  • Able to communicate complex finance concepts clearly to technical and non‑technical audience.
  • Comfortable building new practice areas and operating in ambiguity.
  • Strong people leader committed to performance and accountability.
  • Experience integrating economic resilience considerations into growth, jobs or private sector programmes.
  • Existing relationships with DFIs, MDBs, climate and nature initiatives.
  • Familiarity with UK Government priorities related to economic resilience and economic security.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply early as the position may close once a suitable candidate is found.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include, but are not limited to, socio‑economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status. Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made during the recruitment process (due to disability, neurodiversity, or for any other circumstance), please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding

We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding‑focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.

Practice Lead, Economic Growth employer: Palladium

Palladium is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, employees are empowered to grow professionally while contributing to meaningful projects that drive positive global change. The hybrid working model promotes work-life balance, ensuring that team members can thrive both personally and professionally.
Palladium

Contact Detail:

Palladium Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Practice Lead, Economic Growth

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand Palladium’s mission and how your skills align with their goals. This will help you stand out and show that you’re genuinely interested in making a positive impact.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your experience in economic growth and how it can benefit Palladium’s projects.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. So, go ahead and submit your application today!

We think you need these skills to ace Practice Lead, Economic Growth

Strategic Visioning
Economic Policy Development
Market Systems Analysis
Private Sector Development
Project Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Team Leadership
Bid Strategy Development
Client Relationship Management
Understanding of Economic Resilience
Communication Skills
Thought Leadership
Performance Accountability
Familiarity with UK Government Priorities

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in economic growth and private sector development. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Palladium!

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Practice Lead, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past, especially in complex environments.

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key achievements stand out!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!

How to prepare for a job interview at Palladium

✨Know Your Economic Growth Stuff

Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in economic growth, private sector development, and market systems. Familiarise yourself with Palladium's mission and how it aligns with your experience. Being able to discuss specific examples of how you've contributed to economic resilience or inclusive growth will really impress.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Practice Lead, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. Prepare to share examples of how you've built and led high-performing teams in the past. Highlight your ability to foster collaboration and deliver results, especially in complex environments.

✨Understand the Client Landscape

Research key government departments and organisations that Palladium collaborates with, such as DFIs and MDBs. Be ready to discuss how you would build and maintain relationships with these stakeholders, and what strategies you would employ to position Palladium as a partner of choice.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking. Think about potential challenges in economic growth practices and how you would address them. Practising your responses to scenario-based questions will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.

Practice Lead, Economic Growth
Palladium

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