Economic Policy & Partnerships Manager

Shape local economic policy and build lasting partnerships to deliver real opportunities for our community.

You will guide our economic policy and local partnerships to build an inclusive economy. We're all in to connect residents with sustainable skills and employment opportunities.

Working Style

You will be based in the borough for three days a week, playing a key role in supporting the local economy. Whether you are collaborating in the office or out in the community, you will deliver meaningful change and high-quality outcomes for local people.

What you’ll be doing

In this role, your days will involve a balance of strategic development, policy creation, and team management. You will provide clear structure, direction, and leadership to a developing team, building their capability and helping them deliver high-quality outcomes. Your daily focus will include overseeing employment, skills, and business engagement activities across the borough, ensuring our work translates into tangible opportunities for local residents.

You will lead on critical initiatives, including scoping a new business support offer, refreshing the local economy strategy, and strengthening collaboration with our adult learning team. Expanding work experience opportunities and developing Intermediate Labour Market provision will also form a central part of your work. Navigating a complex stakeholder landscape and balancing competing priorities at pace will be standard, but you will maintain a steady focus on inclusive growth and fairness. By working closely with colleagues across the Council and external partners, you will establish joined-up, data-led approaches to economic policy that put our communities first.

For further details, please review the Job Description and Person Specification 

What you’ll bring

You bring substantial experience in economic development, employment and skills, or a place-based partnership field.  

You possess a proven ability to translate complex economic strategies into practical delivery and measurable outcomes. Building, nurturing, and sustaining effective relationships across sectors—including businesses, employment providers, and voluntary organisations—comes naturally to you. You are a values-led professional who acts with integrity, communicates respectfully, and always puts the community at the heart of your decisions.

With a strong background in policy and strategy formulation, you confidently use data and insight to inform evidence-based choices. Your leadership style is inclusive and supportive; you know how to coach, motivate, and bring out the full potential in a developing team. You also possess robust programme management and contract commissioning skills, alongside the ability to track performance and drive continuous improvement. Navigating a politically sensitive environment with high scrutiny requires strong influencing skills and sensitivity, both of which you will use to balance competing priorities in a fast-paced setting.

Why join us

At RBKC, we’re all in – investing in our people, our communities and our future.

You will receive a competitive salary under Grade H that reflects your experience and dedication to the borough. We are committed to your professional development, offering you full access to continuous professional development, professional networks, and vital sector insights through our corporate memberships with the Institute of Economic Development and the Institute of Employability Professionals.

This role provides a clear path for professional growth, allowing you to develop your leadership capabilities and gain valuable exposure to cross-Council initiatives and senior stakeholders. You will work alongside a collaborative, ambitious team under fresh leadership that values shared learning and mutual support. Here, you have a genuine opportunity to build something lasting, shaping a newly formed service that is highly visible and central to both local and national priorities.

About us

Kensington and Chelsea is home to diverse communities, thriving businesses and unique local places. Everything we do is focused on supporting our residents, strengthening our approach and creating a fairer borough.

As a competent and caring Council, we take pride in our work every day, ensuring our services are delivered with care and competence. We listen to our residents, act with integrity and work together to build a borough that is greener, safer and fairer for all.

At RBKC, we're all in—and this role embodies that mindset completely. Leading a newly structured team through a demanding political and financial landscape means you must get stuck in, whether establishing new ways of working from the office or collaborating out in the field with local businesses. It is not always smooth sailing, especially when balancing strategic policy with urgent day-to-day delivery under high public scrutiny. However, every ounce of effort pays off when challenges turn into tangible growth opportunities for your team and sustainable economic progress for our residents.

Interview Details & Role Requirements

Interviews will be held in person on 15th & 16th July 2026.

This role requires a Standard DBS check.

Ready to join us?

We’re all in – are you? If you share our values and have the skills to contribute, we’d love to hear from you.

Please apply online explaining how you meet the requirements set out in the person specification and job description.

We reserve the right to extend or close this vacancy early without warning subject to the volume of suitable applicants.

We are committed to promoting equality and respecting diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We are a Disability Confident Employer – committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.