Economic Development Manager: Business & Commercial Investment

This vacancy is only open to North Somerset Council employees and agency workers contracted to North Somerset Council.

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Economic Development Manager: Business and Commercial Investment to join our Economy Team. The Economy Team are responsible for the economic development of North Somerset, making it a desirable location to live, work and visit. We do this by developing and delivering projects and programmes to stimulate new investment and growth whilst building business resilience and productivity. Linked to this, we seek to improve living standards for our residents through the delivery of skills which help people to progress in work and access employment.

In this role, you will lead the delivery of key elements of the North Somerset Economic Plan, with a specific focus on inward investment, strategic employment sites, and the Weston Enterprise Area. This role ensures that economic growth is embedded in the North Somerset Local Plan and that commercial development is proactively supported through strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and project delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive Inward Investment: Lead on all inward investment and business growth enquiries, prioritising based on potential impact and likelihood to land. Develop tailored investment propositions and ensure timely, high-quality responses.

• Champion Strategic Employment Sites: Work closely with planning colleagues to ensure commercial sites are allocated in the Local Plan and that economic considerations are embedded in planning applications.
• Promote North Somerset as an Investment Destination: Act as a key point of contact for investors and developers, building strong relationships with the investment and development community. Arrange and host visits from potential investors, government departments, and international delegations.
• Lead on the commercial development management of the Council’s employment land portfolio, identifying and addressing barriers to development, coordinating cross-departmental input, and implementing solutions, including identifying funding or other commercial instruments that unlock sites for investment. Drive forward opportunities that bring economic growth, job creation, and long-term value to North Somerset.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Work in partnership with Economic Development Managers, including the Sector Development and Employment & Skills leads, to provide a seamless service to businesses.
• Support Policy and Planning: Develop and implement policies to protect and promote commercial sites, ensuring alignment with the Local Plan and economic strategy.
• Lead and Manage Teams: Supervise and support a multidisciplinary team, including matrix management across the Council. Develop service plans, embed new ways of working, and ensure high standards of delivery.
• Deliver Projects and Secure Funding: Lead projects from business case to implementation. Write funding bids and manage budgets, including effective use of S106 contributions.
• Coordinate Marketing and Messaging: Act as custodian of consistent inward investment messaging. Refresh and promote marketing materials in collaboration with stakeholders across the Weston Enterprise Area and beyond.
• Engage and Communicate: Maintain effective communication with partners, businesses, residents, and elected members. Provide briefings, attend Council meetings, and represent the service at scrutiny panels.
• Strategic Leadership: Work with the Head of Economy to identify opportunities, unlock sites, and build business cases that support long-term economic growth.
• Provide strategic account management for high-growth businesses and key investment propositions, acting as a trusted advisor to support their expansion in North Somerset. Coordinate internal and external stakeholders to ensure their needs are met, barriers are addressed, and opportunities for growth are maximised.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

Flexible Worker – Remove heading

• 2-3 days in the office
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about inclusive economic growth and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• Vocational qualification or relevant experience to at least Level 6, providing expertise and guidance on business expansion, inward investment, and unlocking commercial/employment sites.
• Significant experience in economic development, inward investment, business growth, or commercial site development, with a track record of delivering programmes and initiatives.
• Direct experience in attracting and supporting businesses to grow or relocate, unlocking employment sites and creating commercial opportunities.
• Strong understanding of the planning system and legislation to secure commercial/employment site allocations and influence planning applications.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with external investors and developers to secure investment and drive growth.
• Experience in service development, embedding improvements, and managing staff, budgets, and projects.
• Ability to build co-operation across internal and external organisations, ensuring a joined-up approach to inward investment and growth.
• Experience in developing and implementing effective partnerships with public, private, voluntary, and community sectors at a senior level.
• Understanding of local economic development, including inward investment, commercial development, the private sector, and skills needs.
• Ability to provide clear, concise briefings (verbal and written) to councillors, senior officers, external partners, and businesses.
• Experience in clienting or contract management.

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and valuesand are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Jane Harrison; jane.harrison@n-somerset.gov.uk or 07385010133

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: 20 August 2025

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.