Economic Development Officer

• Brentwood_Economic_Growth_Strategy_2025-2028
• Brentwood_Economic_Growth_Action_Plan_2025-2026
• Rochford_District_Economic_Growth_Strategy_2025-2028
• Rochford_District_Economic_Growth_Action_Plan_2025-2026
• OneTeam_Economic_Development_Officer_JD___PS

Please apply online via the link provided.

Rochford District Council is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.  People with disabilities will be offered an interview where they meet the Essential Criteria on the Person Specification.

It is our policy that if you have not heard back within 3 weeks of the closing date you should assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.

(Starting salary dependent upon skills and qualifications, progression subject to satisfactory performance)

The OneTeam partnership

Rochford District Council and Brentwood Borough Council have formed an exciting strategic partnership, and the Economic Development Team provide support to both Councils.

About the role

Rochford District Council and Brentwood Borough Council have each recently adopted refreshed Economic Growth Strategies covering the period of 2025-2028. To deliver on Rochford and Brentwood Councils' ambitions, we are looking for an Economic Development Officer to join our OneTeam that serves both councils.

Rochford District Council priorities include town centre regeneration, supporting growing businesses, skills delivery and sustainability. Brentwood Borough Council priorities include supporting start-ups, skills delivery and sustainability. For more information, please visit the Economic Growth Strategies and Action Plans for each Council (links provided below).

The role will involve

• Project and Strategy Support: Assist in implementing the Councils’ Economic Development Strategies and action plans, including leading and managing specific projects and feasibility work including those funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a deputy contact for external organisations such as Essex County Council, attending networking events and assist with organising Council-run business engagement programmes.
• Business and Investment Services: Provide advice and signposting to local businesses, respond to inward investment enquiries and contribute to strategic economic development documents.
• Communications and Administration: Create and manage content for newsletters, websites and social media, while also handling administrative and financial tasks up to £25,000.
• Corporate and Compliance Responsibilities: Work flexibly across Brentwood and Rochford councils, adhere to safeguarding, data protection, health and safety, and equality policies, and support emergency response efforts when required.

About the candidate

You will need to have strong written and verbal communication, good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, able to work within a friendly and supportive team, be well organised and able to deliver to tight deadlines and to maintain effective relationships with external and internal stakeholders.

Desirable qualities include local government and UK Shared Prosperity Fund experience, knowledge of economic development generally and insights on the Brentwood Borough and Rochford District business communities specifically.

Benefits of working for us

In return, we offer a generous annual leave entitlement, enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme, access to our employee assistance programme and staff benefits platform with discounts across a range of retailers.

This post is initially for a 2 year fixed term and may become permanent subject to funding.

For an informal discussion please contact Laurie Edmonds, Corporate Manager Economic Development, on laurie.edmonds@brentwood.rochford.gov.uk

This role will involve travel between Brentwood Town Hall, Rochford District Council’s offices at The Launchpad at Southend Airport Business Park, as well as networking venues around Brentwood Borough and Rochford District. You will be expected to attend networking events that take place outside usual working hours. There may be occasional weekend events to attend.

Please note – the successful candidate will be employed by Rochford District Council.