Inclusive Economy Lead in Bradford

Please note, this post is only open for Local Authority or Combined Authority employees on a secondment basis.

£65,714 pa (pay award pending), Grade 11

Leeds / Hybrid

Fixed term - 12 months / 37 hours pw

Applications for part time / job share will be considered

Applications close 23 November at 23.55

We currently have a vacancy for an Inclusive Economy Lead to join our Employment and Skills team.

The Employment and Skills team provides leadership across the breadth of this fast growing agenda in order to deliver the Mayor of West Yorkshire’s pledge to make West Yorkshire a region of learning and creativity. The team’s role includes oversight and leadership of strategic commissioning, convening of partners and system leadership and will only grow under single settlement and greater devolution.

This post is offered on a 12 month secondment basis to provide leadership of the careers and education agenda. This includes re-shaping the current careers hub service following over 10 years of in-house delivery ready to implement a new model by September 2026. You will also establish the Combined Authority’s role in the education system including how best to support and work with Local Authorities to reduce NEETs and youth unemployment, to ensure sufficiency of appropriate places for 16-18 year olds and to improve the careers destinations of people of all ages.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Developing a new operating model for education and careers, securing buy-in from political Leaders and partners from across local government, education and training.
• Preparing to implement the new operating model, leading the change required to establish a high performing service area.
• Working with partners to identify the levers available at a regional level on the education and careers agenda and provide leadership for flagship Mayoral initiatives.
• Providing strategic leadership across policy development, planning, partnership development and strategic commissioning.

You will have the following key skills, attributes, education and experience:

• Extensive experience of shaping a service area and leading teams through change.
• Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing evidence-based policy.
• Successful experience of negotiating with and influencing external partners, and of briefing and advising business leaders and elected members on a complex area of policy.
• Knowledge and expertise in the area for which you are responsible
• Demonstrable experience of managing relationships with multiple stakeholders at senior level

Our Offer

• Work your way – From flexible and agile working options, including a generous flexi-time scheme to help you balance your personal life and career.
• Time to recharge – Enjoy 28 days of annual leave (with increases based on length of service), plus all Bank Holidays.
• Free greener travel across West Yorkshire – Cover your commute sustainably with unlimited free bus and rail travel using the MCard (Zones 1–5).
• Secure your future – Benefit from a highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Investing in you – Take advantage of fully funded professional development, regular training, and up to 3 paid volunteering days per year.
• Grow with us – Incremental salary progression for most roles and annual cost of living increases.
• Family first – We offer enhanced parental and bereavement leave, plus other family-friendly policies to support you when it matters most.
• Your wellbeing, our priority – Access 24/7 free confidential counselling services and the Headspace app for you and up to 5 family or friends.
• Modern workspace in a prime location – Work in bright, contemporary offices just a 2-minute walk from Leeds Train Station, fully equipped with the latest tech.

To Apply

If this sounds like your next role, please complete the application form and tell us within the supporting statement why you would be a great fit for our role and how your skills, knowledge and experience align with the requirements within the Role Profile. Please visit our Advice for Candidates webpage and review the guidance on this page for support in completing your application form.

Further Information

The Combined Authority is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better outcomes. We welcome applications irrespective of people\'s age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability and/or who are neuro divergent. To find out more about inclusivity at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority please visit our dedicated webpage.

Under the Disability Confident Scheme, applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview, subject to the minimum criteria being met.

Please note that whilst it is our policy to recruit at SP1 for all appointments, which is the salary stated above, each role includes career salary progression, with incremental increases applicable in most cases on an annual basis.