Assistant Director - Regeneration & Economic Development

This is a hugely exciting time to join St Helens. A borough once defined by its industrial past is now firmly focused on its future, delivering ambitious regeneration, attracting major investment, and redefining what inclusive growth looks like within the Liverpool City Region. Located between Liverpool and Manchester, St Helens combines strong connectivity and affordability with a bold growth agenda. Significant investment is already transforming the borough, from the regeneration of St Helens and Earlestown town centres through a long-term partnership with English Cities Fund, to major infrastructure, housing and employment opportunities linked to the Liverpool City Region Freeport.

This is not regeneration in theory. It is visible, happening now, and accelerating. St Helens has built a strong reputation for delivery and partnership working, consistently securing investment and collaborating with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Homes England, developers, investors and local communities to unlock growth and opportunity. The borough is increasingly recognised as a place that gets things done. For senior leaders who want to make a visible impact, this is an opportunity to join a council with ambition, momentum and a genuine appetite to deliver change.

About the Role

This is one of the most influential regeneration and growth roles in the borough. As Assistant Director of Regeneration & Economic Development, you will help lead the delivery of a £300m+ regeneration and infrastructure portfolio that will shape the future of St Helens for decades to come. Reporting to the Director of Strategic Growth and forming part of the senior leadership team, you will lead services spanning regeneration, strategic infrastructure, economic development, employment and skills. You will operate at the centre of some of the borough’s most significant investment and growth opportunities, working closely with senior political leaders, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Homes England, developers, investors and strategic partners.

This is a role with real visibility, influence and variety. You may be helping unlock complex regeneration schemes or inward investment opportunities one day, and leading strategic conversations around infrastructure, housing delivery, skills or inclusive growth the next. Importantly, the foundations are already in place. The borough has clear ambitions, strong partnerships and established regeneration programmes. The focus now is delivery, bringing pace, energy and leadership to major projects already underway. This is a rare opportunity to step into a role where you can genuinely see the impact of your work on places, communities and people’s lives.

About You

You will be someone who thrives in ambitious, delivery-focused environments and enjoys working across complex partnerships to make things happen. You may already be operating at Assistant Director level, or you could be ready to step up from a senior economic development or regeneration role. We are open to candidates from local government and wider sectors, provided you bring the credibility, commercial awareness and stakeholder skills needed to operate successfully at this level. What matters most is your ability to lead through influence, navigate complexity and build strong relationships. You will be comfortable engaging with elected members, senior officers, developers, investors and regional partners, and able to balance strategic thinking with a practical focus on delivery.

This role will particularly appeal to someone looking for a broad and varied portfolio, visible high-impact projects, and the opportunity to influence growth at both borough and city-region level. Above all, this is an opportunity for someone who wants their work to leave a lasting mark on a place that is changing rapidly and confidently looking to the future.