Job info	Job info details
Job title	Town Centre Lead
Strategic team/Directorate	Pride in Place
Service	Economy, Environment and Infrastructure
Business unit	Economic Development and Growth
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Divisional Director Economy, Environment and Infrastructure
Accountable to (line manager)	Divisional Director Economy, Environment and Infrastructure
Salary grade	J
JE ref	PLA045

1. Key purpose of job

• To provide strategic leadership and support to the Divisional Director of Economy, Environment, and Infrastructure, elected members, and senior stakeholders on the curation and rejuvenation of our Town Centres.
• To work with key partners, community groups, businesses, and volunteers to develop the Town Centres work programme and coordinate the delivery of activities and events which will rejuvenate the town centres of Torbay.
• Manage the delivery of complex, transformative projects that bring significant benefits to Torbay's town centres raising additional investment through grants or commercial income and sponsorship in support of the outcomes the job will deliver. 
• Scope and design the annual town centre work programme, and coordinate monitoring and reporting of performance against work programmes and Council priorities.

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

• The creation of vibrant Town Centres in Torbay that broaden the attractiveness of town centres to residents and visitors and serve as hubs for people.
• Local businesses, community groups and key stakeholders will be engaged in achieving town centre objectives.
• Securing of funding to support the delivery of the work programme through grants and contributions.
• An increase in publicly accessible events in the town centres.
• Curated town centre spaces and buildings to improve access to retail, business, service, and wellbeing activities, reducing the number of vacant units in prime locations.
• Driving increased footfall in town centres to support the sustainability of local businesses and the vitality of these areas.
• Alignment of the look and feel of the Town Centres with the 'identity' of Torbay and the aspirations of place partners.
• Successful delivery of a comprehensive range of improvement and change projects in Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham Town Centres.
• Establishment of Town Centre Priorities and an accompanying work plan each year.

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

• As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services.
• Lead the definition, facilitation, and coordination of a comprehensive programme of improvement and change projects (the Town Centre work programme) in Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham Town Centres with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Responsible for providing strategic leadership and support to the Divisional Director of Economy, Environment, and Infrastructure, elected members, and other senior stakeholders on the curation and vibrancy of our Town Centres.
• Responsible for the delivery of effective quality assurance and maintain the overall integrity of projects and work programmes.
• Lead the initiation of activities and interventions wherever gaps or issues are identified in projects/programmes.
• Effective specification and management of contracts or commissions to third parties in support of the work programme.
• To be aware of potential funding sources and commercial opportunities in support of the work programme, writing funding applications or proposals where required.
• Responsible for the collation and analysis of data and intelligence to drive decision-making and assess project performance.
• Responsible for developing a partnership culture that encourages collaboration, innovation, creativity, and learning, ensuring ownership.
• Responsible for the Council’s relationship and effective engagement with key stakeholder organisations and Town Centres Businesses providing a consistent point of contact and enabling effective cross Council working on town centre issues particularly Culture & Events, Economy and the Council’s company SWISCo.
• Responsible for build strong working relationships with a variety of stakeholders, forging strategic alliances.
• Lead a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to set the Councils annual Town Centre Priorities and work programme.
• Lead and conduct public engagements to understand consumer and visitor experiences and satisfaction.
• Responsible for the delivery of concise and pertinent documentation, policy and governance papers, and progress and performance monitoring reports.
• Responsible for the setting and management of KPIs and objectives, ensuring evaluations are conducted for projects, and reviewing outcomes for internal learning and improvement.
• Responsible for building appropriate contacts and networks locally, regionally, and nationally to stay informed of emerging opportunities related to Town Centres.
• Attendance at local, regional, and national events to represent the Council and promote the Torbay Story and aspirations for Torbay Town Centres.

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

• Responsibility for a £100K budget (including staff costs), identifying and securing additional investment through grants and sponsorship.
• Responsible for the commissioning or procurement of appropriate suppliers and contracts in support of the town centre work programme in line with available resources. 

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

• No direct formal supervision or line management.
• Expected to lead and manage multiple diverse project teams across internal and external stakeholder groups to support work programme delivery.
• Expected to lead and manage third party suppliers delivering projects and activities for the Council.
• Expected to collaborate and influence the work of partners towards the objectives of the town centre work programme. 

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

• Main work location will be council offices or home working.
• Frequent site visits to town centres and travel for meetings required.
• Some evening and weekend work likely. 

7. Physical demands of the post

• Normal physical demands. 

8. Specific resources used by the post

• Use of IT equipment and various IT/Software systems. 

9. Key contacts and relationships

• External: 
  • Consultants, contractors, service providers, public, private and community organizations, senior leaders from partner organizations (Police and Crime Commissioner, MPs, Devon and Cornwall Police, Torbay Communities, Place Leadership Board). 
  • ERBID, Chambers of Commerce, Community Partnerships, Creative, Culture, and Arts organisations. 
  • Property owners, landlords, and agents. 
  • Town Centre Managers and related national networks. 
  • Local business owners and retailers. 
  • General public and media. 
• Internal: 
  • Elected members. 
  • Chief Executive, Directors, Heads of Service, Finance Business Partner, Officers. 

10. Other duties

• Undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the job level. 

Other Information

• All staff must commit to the Workplace Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Policy.
• Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
• The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. And are aware that the Chief Executive and the Director for Children’s Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council.
• This post is office based at Tor Hill House but the post holder may be required to move their base to any other location within the Council at a future date.
• You will be asked to complete a Criminal Records Self Declaration Form. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post. You will only be asked to disclose ‘unspent’ convictions.
• The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement. 
• The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
• The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
• The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
• If this post is customer facing, it will require the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
• If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement. In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.

Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Job info	Job info details
Job Title	Town Centre Lead
Strategic team/Directorate	Pride in Place
Service	Economy, Environment and Infrastructure
Business unit	Economic Development and Growth

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

• Proven ability to provide leadership and manage and motivate individuals and teams.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, risks, and conflicting priorities.
• Self-motivated, productive, and dynamic.
• Solution-focused with creative and innovative problem-solving skills.
• Effective computer literacy skills (MS Windows).
• Ability to analyse complex data with efficient analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong report writing and presentation skills.
• Ability to convey information accurately and clearly in an understandable manner.
• Ability to persuade, influence, and negotiate.
• Effective planning, organisation, and resource management skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple complex projects with full accountability for delivery, ensuring stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to work to tight budgets and time schedules.
• Ability to manage conflicting deadlines and identify and manage constant change.
• Ability to operate effectively across complex work cultures and environments.
• Ability to make decisions and recommendation, sometimes at short notice and take responsibility for them.
• Tact, consideration and diplomacy skills are required by the post holder, e.g., in order to manage expectations and navigate contentious issues.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Desirable skills and effectiveness

• Significant knowledge and relevant practical experience in Town Centre Management. 
• The proven ability to manage programmes and projects to Prince 2 Practitioner level. 

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of Town Centre development strategies and issues affecting town centres.
• Working knowledge of procurement and commissioning processes and cycles. 
• Awareness of grant and funding application processes. 
• Proven knowledge of a range of marketing strategies.
• Significant knowledge of Public and stakeholder engagement strategies and approaches.
• Up to date knowledge of computer systems i.e. the ability to use software packages, such as Microsoft Office (including Project, Excel, Outlook, Word and PowerPoint).

Desirable knowledge

• Knowledge of legislation, statutory obligations, local government procedures, and practices within Town Centre context.
• Knowledge of monitoring and performance management.
• Knowledge of economic development and business support strategies and practice.
• Knowledge of how digital technologies can support town centres and business growth.
• Knowledge of the roles and services the Council provides in the town centres.
• Understanding of effective management practices in planning and delivery of shared objectives. 
• Marketing strategies specifically aimed at marketing a place. 
• Commercial awareness particularly in respect to the development of sponsorship and partnering proposals.

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

• Significant experience of management of multiple complex projects and problem-solving.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing strategic objectives.
• Proven experience of successful engagement with a range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrable experience in developing partnerships with a range of organisations/businesses.
• Demonstrable experience of commissioning external partners including the development of specifications, tendering, selection and monitoring.
• Experience of the successful delivery of improvement and change.
• Experience of working on own initiative and making and justifying robust and sometimes contentious decisions.
• Experience of working across multiple departments/organisations and dealing tactfully and persuasively with complex and sensitive matters.
• Experience dealing with staff at all levels in professional situations. 

Desirable experience and achievements

• Experience of budget setting and management.
• Experience of successfully delivering public events.
• Demonstrable experience of leading projects. 
• Delivery of successful outcomes in a Town Centre context.

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

• Educated to Degree level or equivalent relevant experience.
• Evidence of on-going development in management practice or equivalent. 
• Evidence of continued professional development or equivalent. 

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

• A recognised management qualification (ILM, Inst Mgt, or equivalent).
• A recognised qualification in project management. 

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

• Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. 
• Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West/UK in order to carry out duties. 
• Ability to accommodate unsociable hours. 
• Ability to accommodate occasional homeworking. 
• Demonstrates a commitment to equality, diversity and Inclusion.