Local Economies Officer - Creative Enterprise Zone, London

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen as for a Local Economy Officer - Archway Creative Enterprise Zone to join the Local Economies Team, at the heart of the Council's new Inclusive Economy and Jobs Service - Community Wealth Building Directorate, to work on Archway's brand new Creative Enterprise Zone.

Main duties of the job To implement the Council’s Community Wealth Building Strategy through inclusive economy projects and work streams in Archway’s Creative Enterprise Zone with a focus on brokering good creative jobs and training opportunities for residents, and community wealth building opportunities for creative businesses.
To undertake a range of activities including events, partnership development, and business support, applying the principles of community wealth building/inclusive economic development at a local level, and deliver a range of inter-linked social, economic and environmental outcomes for local communities and businesses.

Skills and Experience

We are looking for a dynamic individual to join the local economy team as Local economy officer - Archway creative enterprise zone, to act as liaison and lead for the new zone, working under the existing local economy officer for Archway, responsible for the action plan for the area and developing the zone further. We therefore particularly welcome candidates applying from within the local area.

The ideal candidate will have:

An interest in and desire to work with businesses in the creative sector
A good knowledge of Archway’s existing creatives and the surrounding area
Great communication and interpersonal skills
Effective partnership working as part of a multi-disciplinary team in the public, private or voluntary sector. 
A self-starter able to work in a team and independently
A flexible approach able to react quickly to changing circumstances and have a can do attitude
Experience of successful fundraising and income generation
Experience of running events
Budget management skills and reporting
Ability to influence and negotiate with stakeholders and deliver results
Excellent planning and organisation skills, focusing on attention to detail and ability to forward plan
Strong writing skills with the ability to write for a range of audiences.

Working for our organisation

The Community Wealth Building Directorate is focused on reducing economic inequality, sharing wealth and increasing opportunity by creating a sustainable and inclusive local economy, underpinned by a strong community asset base and a progressive and pro-active business support initiatives.

The Local Economy Officer - Archway Creative Enterprise Zone will implement the Council’s Community Wealth Building Strategy through inclusive economy projects and work streams in Archway, with a focus on brokering good creative jobs and training opportunities for residents, and community wealth building opportunities for businesses.

The post holder will be the face of the council to our creative business communities in the Archway Creative Enterprise Zone and nearby, bringing stakeholders together to help improve our local economies.

The successful applicant will be expected to start at P01 in line with the role and responsibilities.

Closing date: Sunday 15th October at 23:59

Interview date: Wednesday 24th October 

For an informal discussion regarding this role please contact Barry Causton - Local Economies Archway

Detailed job description and main responsibilities To implement the Council’s Community Wealth Building Strategy through inclusive economy projects and work streams in Islington’s town centres, high streets and business districts, with a focus on brokering good jobs and training opportunities for residents, and community wealth building opportunities for businesses in a creative enterprise location.
To undertake a range of activities, applying the principles of community wealth building/inclusive economic development at a local level, and deliver a range of inter-linked social, economic and environmental outcomes for the creative enterprise sector.
To act as primary contact for all day-to-day matters with creative businesses and stakeholders in the designated local economy, leading on post-pandemic business recovery.
To devise and implement a programme of communications and promotions activities for the designated creative enterprise location, in close liaison with Corporate Communications, drafting materials and proposals for their approval.
To be responsible for the organisation and facilitation of local creative business/stakeholder network meetings and represent the Council in person, and in online meetings, as the key Council contact for creative businesses in the designated local economy, as well as local elected representatives.
To design and deliver projects/interventions (e.g. events; training) which apply fresh thinking to local social and economic issues, which result in better outcomes for communities and businesses.
To apply expert knowledge to enable the local integration of the Council’s Affordable Workspace (AWS) Programme Strategy, co-ordinating the local community/business engagement approach in conjunction with operators/occupiers of affordable workspace in the designated local economy.
To lead and set standards on business engagement on complex issues in relation to transport/public realm/green economy/net zero schemes in our town centres, high streets and creative enterprise locations, assessing local need, appropriate interventions and providing expert advice to the relevant Council teams.
To provide senior officers and Elected Members with reports on performance and operational issues associated with all designated Local Economy projects and work-streams.
To carry out a minimum of weekly visits to the local economy, building relationships, gathering business intelligence and maintaining strong creative business and stakeholder networks, and maintain and continuously improve beneficiary networks of resident groups and businesses for all Community Wealth Building initiatives, including the Affordable Workspace Strategy Programme.
To be responsible for at least one borough wide project and associated budgets, ensuring accountable and effective control of all project plans, to continuously review systems, controls and procedures for all financial activities in accordance with Council’s policies, practices and procedures.
To have occasional supervisory responsibility for project-related volunteers/shared employees, directing their work and checking for quality.
To deliver and attend occasional meetings and events outside of normal working hours as required, including outdoor events and district ‘walk-abouts’ for stakeholders, including elected representatives.
Managing competing demands, based on local needs of businesses and changing local circumstances, and adjusting work programme to respond appropriately.

Person specification

EXPERIENCE

Essential criteria E1 Have experience of managing and delivering projects.
E2 Face-to-face business engagement and stakeholder management experience.

SKILLS

Essential criteria E4 Ability to manage commissioned services/providers and contracts in a related area of activity, with a proven track record of building and maintaining relationships.
E5 Be experienced in providing business support and business promotion, in particular to micro and small businesses, including working with and supporting business networks in town centres.
E6 Be experienced in collaborative working with a wide range of internal and stakeholders in a public or voluntary sector environment.
E8 A strong understanding and demonstration of anti-racist and inclusive practice

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential criteria E9 Have a relevant qualification in project management, higher education qualification or commensurate experience of managing projects.