Head of Economic Development

Welcome

Barnsley is a place of possibilities, ambition and community.

At Barnsley Council, we're proud to serve our communities and shape the future of our borough. We're driving sustainable growth, creating opportunities for residents and businesses, supporting healthier and stronger communities, and delivering services that make a real difference to people's lives.

If you share our ambition to build a better Barnsley for everyone, we'd love to hear from you.

We're looking for an exceptional leader to take the helm of our Economic Regeneration service. This is a high-impact role where your vision, leadership, and innovation will directly influence the borough’s landscape which is at the heart of our place transformation agenda.

Our vision and ambition for 2030

The vision for our council is Barnsley - the place of possibilities. By 2030 we want everyone to benefit from, and contribute to, making our borough a thriving place of possibilities.

Everyone has an important role to make our ambitions for the borough possible, including our residents and groups across the private, public, voluntary and community sectors all working together.

Our vision drives our Council Plan, demonstrating our commitment to making it happen. We’re committed to developing skills, talent and creativity among people of all ages, creating exciting prospects and meeting the demands of the future economy.

About the role

Welcome from the Chief Executive

Dear Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in becoming Barnsley Council’s next Monitoring Officer. This is a significant appointment for our organisation and our borough, and I am delighted that you are considering bringing your expertise, judgement and leadership to Barnsley.

Barnsley is a place with real momentum. We are proud to be known as the Place of Possibilities: a borough shaped by industry, history, culture and ambition, and focused on making that ambition real for our residents, businesses and communities.

Being the first council to win both LGC Council of the Year and MJ Local Authority of the Year in 2023 gives us a strong foundation to build on, reflecting the impact we have had in transforming our borough, the quality of our people and partnerships, and our focus on high-quality public services.

The Monitoring Officer will be central to our governance, decision-making and democratic accountability, providing trusted advice to elected members, senior officers and colleagues so decisions are lawful, fair, transparent and rooted in high standards of public service.

This is also a role with real strategic influence being a valued member of our Senior Management Team. We are a highly ambitious council that encourages innovation and nurtures an enabling culture, balanced with good governance and risk management, and our Monitoring Officer plays a pivotal role in making sure we get that right. We are looking for someone who understands that, as well as the statutory responsibilities of the role, and brings the confidence, political awareness and collaborative approach needed to operate as a senior leader, in a leadership team that values openness, professionalism and constructive challenge.

You will also provide inspiring leadership to our legal and governance teams, supporting them to strive for excellence, embrace new technology and provide the expertise and support needed to the wider organisation.

You will join a council with a learning culture and ambition to keep improving. Our next Monitoring Officer will help continue the foundations of good governance that have supported our success, while challenging us to improve further and prepare for the opportunities and pressures ahead.

Barnsley is a place where relationships matter. The right candidate will build confidence quickly, give clear and balanced advice, support effective member-officer relationships, and help colleagues navigate complexity with integrity and sound judgement.

This is an exciting time to join us. Our new political leadership are full of ideas and ambition and welcome guidance and support to progress their priorities, building on our strong foundations, as we support the new administration’s democratic mandate.

Thank you again for your interest in Barnsley. If you share our values, ambition and commitment to making Barnsley the Place of Possibilities, I hope you will consider applying.

Help shape Barnsley’s next chapter with this rare opportunity as our new Head of Economic Development.

You’ll be at the forefront of transforming Barnsley’s resurgent economy, leading our ambitious portfolio of investment, regeneration and innovation programmes.

From delivering the next phase of The Seam Digital Campus and building on the success of our nationally recognised Tech Town status, to shaping the future of Barnsley town centre and unlocking new opportunities through The Glass Works, this is a role with real impact.

You’ll help bring the Dearne 2040 Vision and Masterplan to life, drive investment into strategic employment and housing sites including Junctions 36 and 37, MU1 and ES10, and work with partners, investors and government to create jobs, attract businesses and accelerate growth across the borough.

If you're an ambitious leader who thrives on delivering major projects, influencing at the highest levels and turning bold visions into reality, this is your opportunity to influence the future of Barnsley for generations to come.

Find out more about the Head of Economic Development role.

For an informal discussion about the position please contact Paul Clifford, Service Director, Regeneration and Assets, at: paulclifford1@barnsley.gov.uk.

What we offer

As a double award-winning Council of the Year we have an excellent reputation nationally, and we’re putting our borough on the map as a place of possibilities for people to live, work and visit.

Join us and we'll offer you:

a competitive salary and generous annual leave
flexible and hybrid working arrangements
excellent pension scheme and salary sacrifice options (eg cycle to work, home technology)
parking permit scheme
opportunities for personal and professional growth
the chance to make a lasting impact on Barnsley’s communities

Our council is a community, a place where you can grow, where you can make a real difference to people, and contribute to all the great work we do across the borough.