This is an exciting opportunity to join the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership to drive the LEP’s communications and partnership work. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer you will develop robust outcome-focussed partnerships, represent the LEP with stakeholders and develop and implement a strong communications approach.
LEPs are business-led voluntary partnerships between local authorities, further and higher education and business. They support local economic growth though securing investment and influencing and shaping policy.
The employment contract will be with the University of Plymouth who provide the employment service for the LEP.
Heart of the South West
HotSW LEP covers Devon, Plymouth Somerset & Torbay, an area with a population of c.1.8m and 72,000 businesses. It is a special place, with a reputation for the best music festivals, amazing coastline, great food and drink, historic market towns and unspoilt moorland. Alongside that we are a dynamic, forward looking area with some of the country’s most successful businesses, leading universities, the biggest naval base in Western Europe, the UK’s largest infrastructure project, world-leading climate science and a whole host of cutting edge companies.
Nevertheless, our economy is not as strong as it could be. Covid-19 has had a significant impact and we have a longstanding productivity gap versus the rest of the UK which even without the effects of the pandemic, results in a weaker economy and lower incomes for our residents. The LEP and local partners are committed to addressing this, have developed a range of C-19 recovery actions and have recently agreed our Local Industrial Strategy which forms the basis for transforming the area’s economy in the medium term. This is an ambitious and challenging evidence-based plan to develop clean and inclusive growth and a better quality of life for people living and working in Heart of the South West.
Further information about the LEP can be found at www.heartofswlep.co.uk
This is a multi-faceted role and may suit someone looking to broaden an existing background in comms/ PR, though candidates with other experience will also be considered. You must demonstrate excellent partnership skills, able to build and maintain strong relationships with a range of external partners and to act in an ambassadorial capacity. You will be able to deliver a media and communications strategy that makes particular use of digital channels and strengthens the LEP’s engagement with stakeholders in Westminster. You will be able to evidence experience in delivering successful campaigns and you will be able to develop and lead a small but highly effective team.
You will be able to work flexibly and with colleagues in the LEP and its local partners and you will have a positive approach to challenges. Your ability to deliver outcomes will be key.
More broadly you will be able to demonstrate a good understanding of the policy landscape around economic growth and have an understanding of the Heart of the SW economy, its opportunities and challenges.
A willingness to travel is essential as you will be required to travel and work at different University and business locations.
Please demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, experience, skills, education and training elements of the job description in your supporting statement.
For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact Eifion Jones by email eifion.jones@heartofswlep.co.uk or by telephone on 07525 806334.
Interviews are likely to take place week commencing 21st December 2020 and you will be notified if you have been shortlisted or not.
We offer a competitive salary package and a generous pension and holiday scheme. We also offer a range of other benefits, including ongoing development opportunities.
This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week on a permanent basis.
Flexible working options including job share will be considered.
The University of Plymouth is committed to equality of opportunity, promoting a diverse and inclusive culture, demonstrated through our commitment to the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and as a Stonewall diversity champion. All applications will be judged solely on merit, however, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently under-represented in the workforce, for example black and minority ethnic groups.
University of Plymouth holds a TEF (Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework) Silver by the Office for Students.
Please note, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the University is currently implementing a number of safety measures as per Government advice therefore the successful applicant may be required to work from home in the first instance.
A successful external candidate for this position would be employed by the University of Plymouth Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Plymouth. Employees of the University of Plymouth Services Limited work alongside the University of Plymouth colleagues in delivery of Plymouth’s strategic vision, and will adopt the University of Plymouth’s HR policies and procedures in full unless otherwise stated.
Job Description