York is already the most productive and well-paid city in Yorkshire, with an excellent education system, green transport routes and a firm commitment to becoming net-zero by 2030. And yet we are at, or below, average in terms of Government funding when compared to the whole of the UK. This shows the case for Levelling Up in York: we aim to be in the top 25% of UK economies and that means increasing productivity and pay while continuing to grow new skills in our workforce. These are the headline ambitions of our strategy – we want York to be a place where productive businesses are good employers and where our residents thrive.
Enhance our prosperity whilst growing your career!
To achieve this ambition, we want to build on our existing strengths. We see York as the centre of globally significant clusters in rail and bio-technology, leading the way in demonstrating the benefits of the green economy, and a beacon for flexible, productive jobs that enable our people to make the most of their abilities and live well. Through growing the productivity of our tourism, retail and social care businesses, we believe they can be even better providers of employment for York’s people. We were the first Good Business Charter city, and we encourage all York’s businesses to be part of the initiative.
Use your ambition to deliver ours!
We seek to grow, to exploit opportunities wherever they exist and to work closely with key stakeholders within the city. We are already seeing results with recent successes including the redevelopment of the historic Guildhall a redevelopment for the 21st century creating modern business space with public access, conference and event space whilst retaining its civic use; the best of tradition and the modern.
You will work with the new Mayor and the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and wider partners to secure inward investment to further develop our great city.
Create your legacy in our historic city and thrive!
We are already seeing results with recent successes including the redevelopment of the historic Guildhall a redevelopment for the 21st century creating modern business space with public access, conference and event space whilst retaining its civic use; the best of tradition and the modern.
Also the York Community Stadium and Leisure Centre is a unique public/privately funded complex that delivers not only a new 8,500 all-seater Stadium for York City FC and York City Knights RLFC stadium, but a new leisure complex and Community Hub. Developed as a ‘Healthy Stadia’ which uses the power of sport to tackle health inequalities by using the stadium as a tool to promote the health of visitors, fans, players, employees and the surrounding community. The Stadium becomes a place where people can go to have a positive, healthy experience, playing or watching sport.
Strong economy, exceptional career opportunity!
You will deliver The York Central scheme; one of the UK’s largest and most exciting city centre regeneration schemes. Perfectly located next to the city’s railway station and the National Railway Museum, it is a project of world-class ambition which is set to transform 45 hectares of brownfield land into a brand-new quarter for the city. Its ambition includes building 2,500 new homes (20% affordable), an extensive commercial and retail space creating 6,500 new jobs, with £135m infrastructure investment, a world class Museum, a new contemporary hotel, two 
new Civic squares and 17 acres of beautiful park land. The York Central scheme will produce a vibrant and distinctive mix of residential neighbourhoods, cultural spaces, public realm, and a high-quality commercial core; creating a place like no other in the heart of one of the UK’s most historic and desirable cities.
You will be welcomed by a management team that works collectively around a One Council, One City approach, where your contribution and the support of others reflect the one team approach supportive of each other; a real sense of #TeamYork. I am looking for a leader who shares these core values - who is just as ambitious for the people and businesses of York as they are for themselves; has a passion for driving improvements; can form collaborative partnerships with many different stakeholders; knows how to work efficiently within a defined budget; and all the while can inspire and encourage their own team to flourish and prosper. The ability to work constructively with the city’s key partners within the public, private and voluntary sector is essential.
Our approach is very much based on working in partnership with organisations, groups and individuals, something for which York has always been renowned, and supporting our businesses to be as inclusive as they can be.
Our residents, businesses and communities work hard for this city, inspiring each other to be the most welcoming, the most friendly, the best.
Reporting to me, and as key member of the Council’s corporate leadership team you will drive our ambition for the future, providing an inspired career opportunity. You will further build the reputation of the City regionally, nationally and internationally, securing inward investment and ensuring York is well placed to take every opportunity. You will find that the role will provide you with the kind of professional challenge and complexity you will naturally aspire to as an ambitious economic development professional- our size means that we are large enough to provide the rich mix of complexities facing local government, but at the same time we are small enough to enable you to get things done. So, this high profile role will provide you with the opportunity to make a significant difference as well as a platform to enhance your career.
You will join a beacon employer that offers a supportive work environment that promotes professional development, hybrid working, and a strong work-life balance.
If you are interested in joining our corporate leadership team and are inspired to help lead the next phase of our journey, we look forward to your application. In the meantime, following an initial conversation with our recruitment partners at The Resourcing Solution I would be delighted to discuss this opportunity with those who might wish to learn a little more.
Ian Floyd, Chief Operating Officer
About the City of York Council
Now is an ideal time to join the City of York Council.
We are focused on four core principles at the centre of everything we do; Equalities, Affordability, Climate and Health and Wellbeing.
Our One City, for all, the City of York Council’s Council Plan (2023-2027), sets a strong ambition to increase opportunities for everyone living in York to live healthy and fulfilling lives, and supports our 10 year plan.
We have started the decade long journey – of our 10-year plan which sets a clear vision for the city - by 2032 we will be a city that is vibrant, prosperous, welcoming and sustainable, where everyone can share and take pride in its success. Our 10 year strategies underpin the plan and include the Climate Change Strategy, the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the York Economic Strategy
Our new 10-year Economic Strategy sets out to improve living standards and livelihoods for all of York’s residents and businesses. We aim to do this through increasing productivity, raising earnings, and maintaining our skills advantage.
To achieve these objectives we've set out 5 themes where action will be taken:
- York as a global city
- a greener economy
- a thriving workforce
- thriving businesses
- an economy driven by good business
Our economic ambitions;
York's economy will be vibrant and inclusive with businesses supported to grow and prosper and talent nurtured, retained and supported.
Our economy will be developed to be well balanced with a mix of different sectors providing opportunities for young and old.
Our economic targets;
York will be among the top 25% of local economies in the UK in terms of productivity, pay and skills
York will be among the top 25% most productive local economies as measured by Gross Value Added per hour worked, requiring a 3.8% increase in productivity
York will be among the top 25% local economies for pay levels, with more varied and diverse employment opportunities and SMEs supported to prosper.
Our economic partnerships;
To support the development and implementation of a delivery plan, an Economic Partnership Board will be created to influence and guide progress against the targets set.
The partnership will represent a broad spectrum of sectors and organisations and will draw on the collective expertise of our city.
Collectively we will;
Explore the tourism offer: Drawing on evidence from Group NAO research and recommendations from across the city to co-design a sustainable Tourism Strategy and action plan that builds resident and visitor pride in York’s unique attributes.
Embed the cultural offer: York’s ambitious Culture Strategy ensures culture is inclusive, relevant and accessible to everybody in York, including children and young people. It supports residents' health and wellbeing throughout their lives, placing culture at the heart of placemaking, ensuring talent development and retention, and raising York's profile nationally and internationally: as both a city renowned for its heritage and for its cutting-edge, contemporary approach to creativity.
In summary, York has a wealth of assets that mark our city as one of the leading economies in the North of England. We can build on these strengths; but must also pay attention to working inclusively to support all of our residents and businesses to thrive.
Our aim is that all York offers is a fair, thriving, green economy for all.
As Director of City Development you are joining us at the beginning phases of our 10 year journey, the start of our Mayoral Combined Authority, a commitment to achieve our Council Plan and you will be able to work with Executive and the Corporate Management Team to shape and steer the council to achieve our economic ambition.
We are made up of passionate and determined problem solvers working together for the benefit of York. We invest heavily in our staff, providing them with an environment in which they can flourish.
Being a people-centred organisation means investing in the talent and wellbeing of our staff and there are many different ways in which we make this happen, including:
- Providing work which gives you the chance to make a difference to the lives of residents and colleagues;
- Supportive management, who enable you to thrive and fulfil your potential;
- Recognition for your hard work, through talent management and staff awards;
- Support through the changing environment we are all living in;
- Flexible working practices; and
- A reward package which recognises your contribution.
As an organisation we promote professional development, hybrid working, employer supported volunteering and healthy working environments. We also offer a generous benefits package which includes, 30 days annual leave increasing to 35 days upon completion of 5 years local government service, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme together with high street discounts and salary sacrifice schemes.
We are proud of York’s status as one of the safest and best cities to live in the UK, engaging our 200,000 residents and 7 million visitors to live healthier, happier independent lives.
We are a vibrant, digital city at the heart of Yorkshire - the best of tradition and the modern. With excellent connectivity by road and rail, the neighbouring towns and cities of Leeds, Hull and Harrogate are in easy reach. National Parks and areas of areas outstanding natural beauty are on our doorstep, with their quaint villages and market towns, whilst the Yorkshire coast provides a retreat ideal for sunny days.
We are known for our considerable assets – we have our internationally important heritage, with strong creative industries and a significant cultural offering. We have strengths as a science city, and our digital infrastructure recognises us as the UK’s first Gigabit City. We have a young and highly skilled workforce, and lay claim to world-leading universities and some of the highest performing schools and colleges in the country.
We are ambitious and aim to be a prosperous city for all - where local businesses can thrive and residents have good quality jobs, housing, opportunities and access to quality public services. We celebrate and champion the diversity of our population and encourage everyone to play an active role in the city, so that our vibrant economy and rich communities can make York the acclaimed city it is. We are one of the safest cities in the country and offer some of best available education.
A city of Sanctuary and Human Rights, our community is truly multicultural and diverse. We are the first city in the North of England to set the aspiration to make our city an anti- racist and inclusive one. We are committed to tackling discrimination in all aspects of services that the Council delivers, including public health, in order to have an impact and bring about positive change to our residents.
Our thriving retail and visitor economy welcomes millions of visitors every year. We have been recognised as the ‘foodie centre of the universe’ and our Christmas market is the best in the UK. Our many awards include Sunday Times best place to live, Conde Nast city of best architecture and YouGov found that we are the nation’s favourite city. We are friendly, community-spirited, festive and summer-friendly – what’s not to like?
If you are relocating to the area to take up the post we will provide relocation support, see further details below.
