The Neighbourhoods Division is responsible for Birmingham’s Neighbourhood Advice, Neighbourhood Development, Cultural Development, Sport & Leisure, Community and Wellbeing Centres and Events. We operate a combined model of directly and externally managed services and these are delivered through various forms such as partnerships, community infrastructure, contracts with external parties, commissioned delivery etc.

Birmingham is a city with over 70 local centres and 12 Business Improvement Districts and a multitude of partners​ across a range of sectors.

The post will bring strategic direction to our portfolio of high streets ​and local centres and importantly develop both the City Councils policy approach to partnership working and innovative thinking to High Street Improvement, supporting both recovery and resilience.

Key to this is overseeing the councils responsibilities with regards to Business Improvement Districts The role will also lead on the central government initiatives focused on high streets and town centres including supporting Future High Streets Fund proposals.

A key part of the role will include liaising with existing partnerships at a local level as well as working across the City with regional partners and stakeholders. This is a new role reflecting the importance attached to this agenda – and experience and knowledge in both Business Improvement Districts and Regeneration policy and delivery will be vital.

In this role you will lead on the relationships with the Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) across Birmingham and act as a strategic partner between stakeholders. You will also work with stakeholders to design, lead and deliver all work relating to BIDs which will include advice, budget management, contract negotiation, contract management, and ballot and re-ballot processes. Policy knowledge on High Streets and experience of regeneration schemes are also vital to the role.

You will identify opportunities, challenges and issues to drive forward activities to capitalise on opportunities and address challenges across the High Street Agenda. You will also be required to manage and continually develop the BIDs function to ensure best value for money whilst meeting the strategic priorities of the council and ensuring successful outcomes for the citizens of Birmingham.

You will have experience working at a senior level in a similar field such as business networks, high streets and regeneration etc. and will have successfully operated in a political environment dealing with sensitive political issues. The role will oversee capital programme delivery for any resources secured through the Future High Streets Fund and therefore experience of project management with regards to regeneration schemes is vital. You are required to have significant experience in the creation of clear, concise and insightful reports and managing the production of insightful analysis and the ability to translate this to inform key decisions.

You will need to think analytically to create and use concepts to explain and interpret situations and link information to create and communicate a rich pool of ideas. You will have the ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including elected members and senior officers. You must be able to plan, allocate and evaluate work carried out by yourself and members of your team as well as empower team members in an effective way. You must also be willing to coach, mentor and develop others as well and undertaking self-improvement.

Interviews for this post will take place virtually via video conferencing. Shortlisted candidates will be provided with further information.

For informal enquires please contact Rachael Rose, PA to the Assistant Director; Tel: 0121 464 2024, E-mail: rachael.rose@birmingham.gov.uk

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We welcome applications from people with caring responsibilities and flexible working options will be considered.

Right to work in the UK documentation will be fully checked for all applicants.  All non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) may require a Certificate of Sponsorship from Birmingham City Council and must have an approved visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) before any employment offer can be confirmed. Unless they are an EEA or Swiss citizen or their family members, already living in the UK by 31 December 2020, then they will need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) instead.