Head of International Engagement and Delivery

The Growth Company (GC) has an exciting new opportunity for a Head of International Engagement and Delivery to support both Marketing Manchester and Invest Manchester to lead Greater Manchester’s global inward investment mission programme. This is a new and pivotal leadership role at the heart of the city-region’s international engagement activity. You will develop and deliver a three-year strategy for international missions, ensuring they are strategically aligned with Greater Manchester’s priority sectors, inward investment targets. The role needs someone who is able to build strategy, deliver operational excellence in market, bring various colleagues and partners together to deliver successful, multi‑faceted international missions. You will need to be able to influence at a senior level so you can engage civic leaders, government partners, and industry stakeholders. You will play an integral role in shaping how Greater Manchester presents itself on the global stage. At Marketing Manchester, we promote Greater Manchester nationally and internationally as a leading place to visit, invest, meet, and study. Invest Manchester is the inward investment promotion agency, attracting new investment to the city region, to create and safeguard jobs. Through everything we do, we aim to drive economic growth and enhance Manchester’s global reputation. Key Responsibilities Develop and lead a three‑year strategy for international missions, working in close partnership with city leaders. Design compelling mission propositions, setting clear objectives and partner value exchange aligned to priority markets, sectors, and opportunities across culture, sport, and connectivity. Lead the end‑to‑end mission lifecycle, from initial scoping and programme design through to stakeholder mobilisation, communications, delivery and post‑mission follow‑up. Maintain robust programme management across all missions, including schedules, workplans, interdependencies and overall delivery readiness. Establish and embed a consistent operating model for missions, including governance, decision‑making frameworks, delivery standards, templates, and evaluation methodologies. Ensure the high‑quality execution of all mission activity, including roundtables, receptions, bilateral meetings, site visits and sector showcases. Lead through influence to coordinate cross‑functional teams and external partners, ensuring clarity of roles, responsibilities, deliverables and timelines. Convene and chair mission planning groups, driving pace, alignment, and accountability across all stakeholders. Build and maintain senior relationships across GMCA, local authorities, UK Government, embassies and consulates, business leaders, universities, cultural institutions, diaspora networks and international partners. Lead and manage the events team (4 FTE), overseeing delivery of international missions and other strategically significant events. About you Proven ability to build strategy utilising evidence. Provide guidance on protocol, cultural norms and diplomatic context risk management. Ability to navigate complexity and sensitivities with discretion, tact and professionalism. Experience of setting managing and reporting outcomes and impacts. Experience in the economic/international business development/inward investment arena. Skilled negotiator, influencing a wide range of public and private organisations at senior levels. Understanding of public sector with a commercially focused approach. Creating and managing large‑scale B2B promotion/marketing campaigns. Skills required Demonstrates a strong understanding of target audiences and markets, placing insight at the heart of planning and decision‑making. Conceptual thinking – ability to interpret, connect and apply abstract concepts to real‑world challenges and strategic outcomes. Engages clearly and persuasively to build understanding, confidence and buy‑in from colleagues and stakeholders. Builds and maintains effective relationships, creating strong networks across key partners and influencers. Maintains a consistent focus on high standards, ensuring outputs are delivered with accuracy, rigour and excellence. Fosters a high‑performing environment, strengthening team capability and driving effective delivery. Shows appropriate perseverance, navigating obstacles constructively to achieve outcomes. Takes initiative, raises issues proactively, and demonstrates accountability for delivery and outcomes. #J-18808-Ljbffr