Economic Growth
Because innovation brings prosperity, we look for ways to boost the economy, business and jobs all across Essex. Economic Growth and Regeneration has a high profile, and it could raise yours.
In the Economic Growth & Regeneration Team, it’s our job to make sure that employment sites which support proposed housing growth are developed, as that will lead to economic growth for Essex communities and business. We directly invest in projects that will underpin the county’s economic stability – which means working in partnership with district councils and the private sector to deliver economic growth opportunities and regeneration solutions.
Current and future projects will boost the Essex economy and provide new business opportunities, innovation and jobs. They’ll also tackle areas of significant deprivation stimulate economic growth.
Specifically, we’re here to provide:
- Delivery of strategic economic development priorities
- Clean and clear transition of projects from strategic development to delivery
- Effective engagement from all areas of the authority developing a comprehensive and consistent response to key delivery projects
- Data collation and advice on operational theme areas, including stakeholder engagement, to facilitate appropriate decision making
- Facilitation, support and maintenance of strong partnerships
- Support for the Localism agenda through joint working with local authorities, communities, community groups, voluntary organisations, business representatives and business groups
- A channel to feed local business intelligence into strategy development
- Support for the Inward Investment team and the Fund Raising team to develop sector-specific offers, based on the intelligence and engagement enabled through the team.
I jumped at the chance to be part of a team that promotes economic benefits, inward investment and the creation of new jobs.
Sarah, Principal Economic Growth and Regeneration Officer
What career moves have you made at Essex?
I joined Essex County Council back in 1990 and spent the first 25 years in the Trading Standards Service. I qualified as a Trading Standards Officer in 1995 and my career progressed within the department, rising to Operational Manager from 2009.
The Service’s primary aim is to enforce consumer protection legislation but an essential part of the role is to provide high quality Trading Standards advice to Essex’s businesses, helping them to maximise their full economic potential.
How did you progress after that?
It is widely recognised that good quality business advice is an economic enabler and I have always really enjoyed supporting businesses to assist in their development and growth. Therefore when I saw an opportunity to work in Economic Growth and Regeneration, I jumped at the chance to broaden my experience and to be part of a team who work to promote economic benefits, inward investment and the creation of new jobs. I joined in May 2016 and I am relishing the new challenges that the role brings, meeting different people and learning about a whole new sector of work.
How does the team help boost the economy?
The team is seen as the eyes and ears for Essex County Council, and a knowledge centre within the organisation on various economic development issues. My day-to-day work involves meeting with colleagues and external partners to facilitate obtaining grant funding and growth opportunities in our priority sectors, helping to project manage the council’s economic development and growth activity, and supporting the delivery of corporate objectives.
We work closely with teams such as Spatial Planning to identify sites for future housing and employment growth within the county. The meetings we attend and the knowledge we gain give us a comprehensive overview of projects and programmes. That means we’re equipped to make recommendations on proposed courses of action to senior managers and elected members.
Step 1: Online Application
You can complete a quick online application with us by either uploading your CV or completing an online application form. You will receive a confirmation email to let you know we have your application.
Step 2: Shortlisting
Once our advertising process has finished, we will review our applications and let you know if we would like to invite you to an interview. At this stage you may also be invited to join our talent pool where you will receive updates on future opportunities with us.
Step 3: Interview and assessment
The interview and assessment process could take many forms, dependent on the role you are applying for but the recruitment team will always let you know what to expect.
Step 4: Decision
Within a week of your assessment we’ll be able to let you know whether you’ve been successful in applying for a role with us.
Step 5: Compliance safeguarding checks
Once you have been offered a role we will invite you to meet with us to start your pre-employment checks.
Application process
