LES Programme Development Lead

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council,
Dudley Council is creating a new Local Enterprise Support function to help businesses start, grow, innovate and invest. We are looking for two senior, commercially aware and credible LES Programme Development Leads who can help design the service, shape the delivery model and turn Dudley’s economic growth ambitions into practical support for local businesses.

This is a high-profile development role at the heart of Dudley’s Economy and Place agenda. You will work directly with businesses, private sector leaders, partners, suppliers and Council services to build a new programme across innovation, inward investment, sector and supply chain development and the everyday economy. You will lead the design, planning and early mobilisation work needed to create a service that is targeted, credible and ready to launch from 2027.

You will have strong judgement and be comfortable engaging and influencing senior business leaders, understanding their needs and translating that insight into practical service models, commissioning arrangements and delivery plans.

This role requires a track record in business advice, business engagement, enterprise support, service design, stakeholder engagement and/or related private sector-facing activity. You will need to be able to scope out a new service, shape a clear delivery model and build strong relationships with the businesses, partners and providers who can help Dudley’s economy grow.

You will lead the development of business engagement activity, commissioning arrangements, contract specifications, governance reports, performance measures and mobilisation plans. You will also support early delivery activity, including brokerage events, stakeholder engagement and partnership development.

This is a varied and high-profile role requiring sound judgement, excellent communication skills and the ability to work confidently with businesses, senior officers, partners, suppliers and stakeholders. You will need to be comfortable operating in a local government environment and committed to delivering practical outcomes for Dudley’s businesses and communities.

• Designing and developing the new Local Enterprise Support function.
• Leading business and stakeholder engagement to understand local needs and gaps in current provision.
• Supporting procurement, commissioning and contract development activity.
• Developing performance frameworks, governance reports, risk information and mobilisation plans.
• Supporting brokerage events, partnership development and early delivery activity.
• Ensuring activity aligns with Dudley’s emerging Framework for Growth and wider Growth and Place priorities.
• Working with internal teams including procurement, finance, legal, communications, data and performance.
• Supporting effective use of the LES budget and ensuring compliance with governance, funding and procurement requirements.

You will bring experience of economic development, business support, enterprise, public policy, project management, commissioning and/or a related field.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• Strong knowledge of business support, economic development and local enterprise activity.
• Experience of developing programmes, service models, specifications or delivery plans.
• Excellent communication, engagement and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to analyse evidence, business intelligence and performance information.
• Confidence working with businesses, partners, funders and internal services.
• Understanding of local government decision-making, governance and procurement.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver work to deadlines.
• A practical, collaborative and outcome-focused approach.

A full driving licence and access to a vehicle for business use is required.

For further information, please contact Alex Oxley on a

Working in the office 3+ days a week (pro-rata)

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