Market Town Officer
£33,143 - £36,363 per annum pro rata, up to 37 hours per week
Permanent
Coleford/ Hybrid with regular presence in Market Towns
About the role…
Are you passionate about supporting thriving town centers, strengthening local economies, and making a real difference to communities?
We're looking for two enthusiastic and proactive Market Towns Officers to join our Communities and Sustainable Economy Service. This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with our Town Councils, businesses, community organisations and partners to help create vibrant, resilient and sustainable market towns across the Forest of Dean.
As Market Towns Officer, you'll play a leading role in delivering projects that enhance town centres, support local businesses, encourage community participation and secure investment for regeneration. You'll help turn our Sustainable Economy Strategy into action, working collaboratively to ensure our market towns continue to prosper while meeting the needs of residents, businesses and visitors.
Some of your responsibilities:
- Develop and deliver initiatives that increase town centre footfall, visitor spend and business confidence.
- Work with businesses, traders and Town Councils to support business growth and improve the vitality of high streets.
- Support the development of local markets and town centre events that drive economic activity and community engagement.
- Build strong partnerships with businesses, community organisations, public sector partners and elected members.
- Identify funding opportunities and contribute to successful funding bids.
We have two positions available for up to 37 hours, pending Town Council Contributions. 37 hours per post are guaranteed until April 2027. From April 2027, any hours above 20hours will be subject to availability of external funding/Town Council Contributions.
Within the District, there are plenty of places to see and visit whether you love hiking or cycling. With our agile working ethos: you will be spoilt for choice.
You will need…
- Experience in economic development, regeneration, town centre management, or community development.
- Demonstrate understanding of how town centres work, their issues and what makes them successful.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
- Demonstrates understanding of the needs of citizens, businesses and visitors in town centres.
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline (e.g. economic development, geography, planning, community development). (Desirable)
Special Conditions…
- Ability to travel and Full UK Driving License
- Hybrid working with regular presence in market towns.
- Some evening and weekend work to support events and stakeholder engagement.
For more information about this role please see the Job Description/Person Specification.
Vacancies can close earlier than stated if a high number of applications have been received. We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible.
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What we can do for you
- Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working
- Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)
- 27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays, which increases to 30 days after five years of service
- In addition you will have an extra two volunteering days a year for you to support a charity of your choice
- Renewed again for another year there is a Health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care
- Generous contributory local government pension scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues
- Cycle to work scheme
- Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars
- Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements
Forest of Dean District Council is dedicated to creating a vibrant and sustainable future for our community. Our priorities are centred on fostering thriving communities by empowering and engaging residents, enhancing infrastructure, promoting community well-being, and ensuring social equity.
We are committed to decarbonisation and nature recovery, focusing on renewable energy transitions, energy efficiency, transport transformation, nature recovery, and food resilience. Additionally, we strive to build a sustainable economy through the promotion of a circular economy, robust business support, workforce skill development, sustainable town initiatives, and the preservation of natural capital.
Accredited of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies - Please state this within your covering statement or in a separate email.
Forest of Dean District Council is committed to meeting its statutory and moral duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people under 18 years of age and adults at risk who are the recipients of its services and/or activities.
Safer recruitment practices are applied to all job vacancies. Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire; provide references; proof of identity; nationality and immigration status; three years’ employment or education history (if applicable) and, in some cases, verification of criminal record.
