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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to boost business growth and investment in West Yorkshire.
- Company: Join the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, committed to inclusivity and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 28 days leave, free travel, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local businesses and shape regional policies for growth.
- Qualifications: Expertise in business investment and strong partnership development skills required.
- Other info: Work in a modern office just minutes from Leeds Train Station.
Policy and Partnerships Lead – Business Investment
Apply promptly! A high volume of applicants is expected for the role as detailed below, do not wait to send your CV.
£56,481 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 10
Wellington House, Leeds Permanent – 37 hours per week
Please note that the Combined Authority will consider requests for part-time working and/or job share.
As the Policy and Partnerships Lead for Business Investment, you will lead a dynamic and agile team focused on identifying barriers to business growth and developing innovative solutions to increase investment into West Yorkshire businesses. You will cultivate strong relationships across the financial and professional services sectors, forming strategic partnerships that support the design and delivery of ambitious strategies and programmes. As Policy and Partnerships Lead, your work will help ensure businesses can access the finance they need to grow and thrive.
The team you will join plays a leading role in creating a thriving, globally recognised business and innovation ecosystem in West Yorkshire. Through collaboration with public and private sector partners, the team works to ensure all businesses can succeed and become fair employers. This is achieved through system leadership, thought leadership, policy development, strategic commissioning, and partnership building across key areas such as innovation, trade and export, inward investment, and business finance.
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.
The Role
Reporting into the Inclusive Economy Lead, your key responsibilities will include:
* Provide strategic leadership in planning, policy, partnerships, and commissioning to drive Business Investment and Access to Finance, aligned with corporate priorities.
* Lead transformational initiatives supporting the Local Growth Plan, delivering impactful change to achieve West Yorkshire’s business investment goals.
* Shape regional and national policy, act as a visible leader, and manage an agile team to respond to evolving priorities.
* Please review the Role Profile on our website for more information about the responsibilities.
About You
You will have the following key skills, attributes, education and experience:
* Expert knowledge of Business Investment, SME Finance and the Financial and Professional Services sector together with a detailed understanding of the challenges and opportunities relating to supporting businesses to access finance and investment.
* Strong partnership development skills and experience, honed through interactions with multiple agencies, organisations and senior stakeholders.
* Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing successful evidence-based policy and strategy and overseeing implementation.
* Demonstrable experience of developing business cases and commissioning interventions that represent excellent value for money.
* Experience of shaping a team and ability to lead agendas to ensure outcomes are realised.
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
Policy & Partnerships Lead employer: West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Contact Detail:
West Yorkshire Combined Authority Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Policy & Partnerships Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the financial and professional services sectors. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in business investment. Show us you’re not just knowledgeable but passionate about making a difference in West Yorkshire!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills align with our goals. We want to hear how you can help us drive business growth and access to finance.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who follow our process!
We think you need these skills to ace Policy & Partnerships Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get to Know Us: Before you dive into your application, take a moment to explore our website. Understanding our mission and values will help you tailor your CV and supporting statement to show how you fit right in with our team.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience and skills that align with the role of Policy & Partnerships Lead. Use keywords from the job description to catch our eye and demonstrate that you’re the perfect match for what we’re looking for.
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: This is your chance to shine! Clearly explain why you’re a great fit for the role and how your background aligns with our goals. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Apply Early!: Don’t wait around! We expect a high volume of applicants, so get your application in as soon as possible. The sooner we see your amazing skills and experience, the better!
How to prepare for a job interview at West Yorkshire Combined Authority
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Business Investment and SME Finance. Understand the current challenges and opportunities in the financial and professional services sector, as this will help you demonstrate your expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Partnership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully developed partnerships in the past. Think about specific instances where you've collaborated with multiple agencies or senior stakeholders to achieve a common goal, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Policy Development
Since the role involves shaping regional and national policy, be prepared to discuss your experience in developing and implementing evidence-based policies. Bring along examples of successful strategies you've overseen and the impact they had.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Qualities
As a potential leader of an agile team, think about how you can convey your leadership style. Be ready to share experiences where you've led initiatives or shaped a team to achieve specific outcomes, showcasing your ability to drive change.
