Assistant Director of Economic , Strategic Regeneration and Climate Change

About The Job

Salary: £80,138 - £85,041 per year plus £3203 car benefit allowance

Hours per week: 37

Contract type:
Permanent

As Assistant Director of Economic Growth, Strategic Regeneration and Climate Change, you will be at the forefront of shaping Luton’s future. You will lead the development and delivery of our new economic growth strategy, ambitious regeneration plans, programmes, and projects that revitalise key areas, strengthen our high streets and town centre, and position Luton as a dynamic, forward‑looking place to live, study, work, and invest.

You will also drive our net‑zero ambitions and the growth of the green economy, ensuring that economic progress is environmentally responsible and socially inclusive.

This is a pivotal leadership role. You will provide strategic direction across the Council’s approach to regeneration, economic growth, and climate change, working collaboratively with internal teams, public and private partners, and regional and national stakeholders. You will act as a true place shaper by unlocking opportunities, attracting investment, and delivering long‑term transformation of the town.

You will lead major programmes and projects with confidence, ensuring they are innovative, commercially astute, and outcome‑focused. With an entrepreneurial mindset, you will identify and capitalise on opportunities that support regeneration, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.

You are an experienced and inspiring leader with a strong track record of delivering major strategic regeneration and economic growth initiatives. You have successfully secured significant funding from Central Government or comparable sources and bring extensive experience of working with a wide range of partners, including communities, businesses, and government bodies.

You are an effective manager and motivator, capable of leading and developing high‑performing teams. You excel in negotiation, change management, and influencing at senior and Board levels, particularly on complex, high‑stakes strategic issues.

Your approach is innovative and solutions‑focused. You apply sound judgment, navigate political and legislative contexts with confidence, and contribute actively to continuous improvement and service development.

You bring deep knowledge of best practice in economic growth and regeneration, alongside a strong understanding of national policy, skills development, and the relationship between national and local government. You hold a relevant professional qualification or can demonstrate equivalent, verifiable experience.

Most importantly, you are ready to use your expertise to help shape a transformative future for Luton.

Luton is a town on the rise. Strategically positioned at the heart of the Golden Triangle of London, Oxford, and Cambridge and connected to major cities across the UK, Europe, and beyond, Luton is confidently shaping its future. Our economy is expanding, our town is transforming, and our ambition is clear: to create a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable place where everyone can thrive.

Our entrepreneurial, can‑do spirit runs deep. From world‑class aviation and aerospace to digital technology, advanced manufacturing, creative industries, logistics, and professional services, Luton is home to a diverse and growing economic base. With a £5bn investment pipeline including a £1.7bn town centre regeneration programme, we are delivering one of the most significant transformation agendas in the region.

As home to the UK’s 5th largest airport, connecting to over 130 destinations, Luton is truly globally connected. The Government’s approval of the Development Consent Order to expand London Luton Airport from 19 million to 32 million passengers per year unlocks unprecedented opportunities for innovation, investment, and job creation. Our location, infrastructure, and connectivity place us at the forefront of the UK’s growth ambitions.

Our vision, set out in Luton 2040, is ambitious: a town that is healthy, fair, and sustainable, where no one has to live in poverty. At its heart, this means ensuring every…