Economic Development Officer

An exciting opportunity to join the Place and Sector Development Team as a Senior Economic Development Officer has become available. As a member of the team you will play a vital role in strengthening the Devon economy by improving digital connectivity across the County. We are seeking an experienced economic development professional to lead and develop the Council's programme for facilitating the delivery of broadband and mobile infrastructure, with a particular focus on addressing connectivity challenges in rural and hard-to-reach communities across Devon. This role will expand the Council's broadband and mobile delivery capacity, providing strategic leadership to influence national policy with an emphasis on rural broadband and mobile coverage, alongside delivery of the remaining Connecting Devon and Somerset capital programme. A strong focus of the role will be on proactively working with partners, suppliers and stakeholders to facilitate the development of broadband solutions, monitoring performance, tracking outcomes, responding to stakeholder information requests, and driving continuous improvement, to ensure that investment delivers measurable economic and social benefits for communities and businesses. The post will report to the Economic Development Manager (Property and Place). It includes management responsibility for a shared member of staff, ensuring clear direction, professional development, performance management, and effective delivery., As the Council's lead for broadband and mobile connectivity, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership for broadband and mobile connectivity initiatives, ensuring alignment with the Council's wider Strategic Plan and wider economic development priorities
• Oversee performance management and delivery, working with partners, on existing broadband contracts, monitoring delivery against targets, reporting and evaluating outcomes, risk management, and identifying opportunities to improve effectiveness, value for money, and impact
• Develop and maintain strong senior level partnerships with network suppliers, government departments, regulators, and key delivery partners
• Lead government lobbying and engagement, representing the Council's interests on national broadband and mobile connectivity priorities
• Support Members, rural communities and hard-to-reach communities in responding to ongoing connectivity challenges
• Facilitating delivery of a new voucher schemes to support broadband and mobile connectivity, DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working - The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
• For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.
• We cannot consider visa sponsorship at this time. UK Right to Work is required. For further guidance on right to work in the UK, please visit: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
  
  You ill have experience in economic development, infrastructure delivery, or digital connectivity, ideally within or alongside the public sector. Key attributes include:
• A proven ability to operate at a senior level, working confidently with Members, senior officers, suppliers, and key external stakeholders
• Experience of programme or project management, including oversight of capital funding and performance reporting
• Strong partnership working, negotiation, and influencing skills
• A robust understanding of the challenges facing rural digital connectivity, with the ability to translate national policy into effective local delivery
• A results-focused approach, with experience of using data, evidence, and evaluation to drive improvement and demonstrate impact