Service Manager (SME Innovation)

Kirklees Council are advertising this role on behalf of West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The Organisation

We have an opportunity for an exceptional person who wants to play a leading role in reshaping our local economy through driving SME innovation.

It’s an exciting time to join the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, following the recent announcement that an ambitious £1.8bn devolution deal has been secured for West Yorkshire. Through this we will be working to drive up living standards through better transport, improved skills and stronger businesses, while tackling the climate emergency

The Combined Authority brings together five districts plus York, the business community via Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and also takes in the former Passenger Transport Executive (branded Metro). Overall, the Combined Authority covers a population of around 2.5 million people and represents the largest economy outside London.

The Role

As SMEs face unprecedented challenges innovation will be crucial for resilience, recovery and future growth. Connecting Innovation is an exciting new SME innovation programme that coordinates, simplifies, promotes and communicates the innovation landscape in the City Region.

The successful candidate will be the programme lead for Connecting Innovation which includes management of the programme team. The role involves ensuring the programme meets its contractual targets but also to meet the Combined Authority’s ambitions for Connecting Innovation to drive a step-change in SME innovation within the region.

The Person

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate significant experience and knowledge of SME innovation drivers and support. The role requires experience of successfully leading, negotiating and influencing stakeholders and partners within a complex public-private sector partnership context. You should also have a detailed knowledge and understanding of external funding streams for SME growth. For more details please see detailed role profile.

For more information about the work of the Combined Authority please visit www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk 

Please note – due to the current restrictions, interviews for this post will take place remotely using video conferencing.

Our offer

We offer an excellent benefits package including access to a generous employer-contribution, local government pension scheme and fully funded travel throughout West Yorkshire by bus and rail with the MCard.  We also offer an encouraging environment that will allow you to achieve your best work/life balance and career goals.

The Combined Authority’s aim is to attract people from diverse backgrounds to build on our inclusive culture.  We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, race, gender, religion or beliefs, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation.

Applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview, subject to the minimum criteria being met.

We are committed to inclusivity and will consider requests for flexible working including part time and job share arrangements.

To submit your application form online please visit http://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/jobs/ by 11:55pm on 22 June 2020.

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

Given the high volumes of applications we receive we are unable to respond to every applicant, therefore if you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

Candidate information will be retained by the Combined Authority for six months unless you make a request for this to be deleted.

The post is part-funded by the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the Northern Powerhouse Growth Deal.