Economic Development Projects Manager

Job Information

• Ipswich Borough Council
• Address: Grafton House 15-17 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2DE
• Salary: £47,181 - £49,282 per annum
• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Contract: Permanent
• Reference: 0643

Ipswich Borough Council are looking for an Economic Development Projects Manager to join their Economic Development team.

If you are passionate about supporting business growth and investment, and would like to be part of the team, leading on strategic initiatives for Ipswich Borough Council, then we would love to hear from you.

Ipswich is one of the fastest growing regional centres in England and is the largest centre in Suffolk for business, culture, entertainment and sports. A university town with a rich history and heritage and a thriving Waterfront. Backed by successful Towns Fund bids and an ongoing City of Culture bid, there are a wealth of exciting opportunities in the pipeline.

We're looking for an energetic, forward thinking Economic Development Projects Manager who is passionate about supporting business growth, driving investment, and strengthening the economic heart of our town centre.

In this role, you'll take the lead on projects that shape our local economy, working with developers, investors, and town centre businesses to create the conditions for growth. You'll help bring new investment into the district, champion innovation opportunities, and build strong relationships with partners across every sector. From shaping early‑stage regeneration concepts to supporting major employers with their expansion plans, this is a role for someone who thrives on variety, collaboration, and delivering meaningful change.

We're particularly keen to hear from you, if you have:

• A strong town centre focus; with experience supporting the vibrancy, resilience, and strategic development of high streets, centres, and key commercial areas.
• A proven track record in attracting inward investment, or demonstrable experience working with businesses, developers, and investors to unlock opportunities and bring projects forward.
• Excellent relationship building skills and the confidence to engage senior stakeholders, businesses, and partners.
• A passion for local economic growth and the ability to turn ideas and opportunities into deliverable projects.

If you're motivated, proactive, and excited by the idea of shaping the future prosperity of our town, we would love to hear from you.

As well as a good salary, we offer a career grade average pension scheme, generous holiday and sick pay entitlements, subsidised parking for work and leisure, public transport discounts, free swimming and gym membership, cycle purchase scheme, plenty of personal and professional development opportunities, flexible working, hybrid working opportunities, Employee Assistance Programme and the opportunity to work with great colleagues.

To find out more, please visit the Borough Council Benefits page.

Please read the Job Description and Person Specification (pdf).

To find out more, please contact James Mann, Head of Planning and Economic Development, by emailing  either to discuss the role via email or to arrange an informal discussion.

To apply, please visit our website where you can complete the online application form for this vacancy.

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 13 April 2026.

Interview date: 11 February 2026.

• CV's (Curriculum Vitae's) are not accepted.
• If you require any assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application or recruitment process, please let us know so that the appropriate arrangements can be put in place.
• Early applications are encouraged as we reserve the right to interview candidates who meet the essential criteria prior to the closing date and/or to close the opportunity to applicants once we receive sufficient applications.
• The selection process will involve a prepared exercise (which will be sent to you if you are selected for interview) involving a presentation to the Interview Panel. Interviews are proposed to take place week commencing 4 May 2026 at Grafton House, Ipswich.

About the Team

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