Aspire Recruitment Services Ltd
Head of Place & Sustainability
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Job Title
Location: Cardiff City Centre, Office-based initially with opportunities for hybrid working following successful probation
Contract Type: Fixed Term until November 2031
Working Hours: Full Time, Monday – Friday, 37.5 hours per Week (some flexibility required)
Salary: Circa £50,000 per annum + Annual Bonus of up to 4%
Benefits:
- 25 Days Annual Leave + UK Bank Holidays
- Hybrid working
- Private Healthcare & Employer Pension Contributions
- Ongoing Training & Development
- Enhanced Wellbeing Support & Employee Assistance Programme
The Organisation
A private sector, not-for-profit membership organisation whose objective is to transform the City of Cardiff, representing over 1000 businesses across retail, hospitality, office, leisure, culture and public sectors. Operating at the intersection of business, government and communities, they deliver strategic investment, placemaking, business support, marketing, events, public realm and policy leadership to support a vibrant, inclusive and competitive capital city. They provide a voice for their members, making Cardiff a vibrant, safe, and prosperous city for businesses, residents, and visitors. Through innovative projects and strategic partnerships, their mission is to enhance the city’s public spaces and deliver tangible improvements that make a real difference.
The Culture
This is an organisation committed to creating an inclusive, supportive and ambitious working environment where people are empowered to contribute ideas, innovate and make a meaningful impact. Embracing values of integrity, compassion, communication and collaboration, they are member-focused and city-centric. Their work is impactful, helping to shape Cardiff’s urban environment and the emerging future.
The Role
As the organisation enters an ambitious new phase of growth and transformation, including expansion into Cardiff Bay, their programme of investment continues to focus on creating a cleaner, safer, greener and more vibrant capital city. Pivotal to their success is the appointment of an experienced and forward-thinking Head of Place & Sustainability, to lead the strategic development of the Place function, ensuring Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Bay continue to evolve as welcoming, resilient and commercially successful destinations.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Head of Place & Sustainability will join the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for providing strategic leadership across place shaping, sustainability and long-term city development. Working closely with partners across the public, private and third sectors, the Head of Place & Sustainability will champion initiatives that strengthen the city's resilience, sustainability and commercial success.
You’ll lead the organisation’s Strategic Advisory Group, developing strategic partnerships and identifying opportunities that will improve Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Bay. Acting as Executive Sponsor for the City Operations workstream, you’ll provide strategic direction and support to the Operations Manager whilst ensuring operational delivery aligns with the wider ambitions of the BID Business Plan.
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This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of one of the UK's leading Business Improvement Districts., influencing the long-term development of Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Bay, uniting partners, businesses and stakeholders to deliver lasting change and ensure the capital continues to thrive.
Responsibilities
Strategic Place Leadership
- Lead the long-term place agenda, identifying opportunities that enhance Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Bay.
- Develop strategic responses to emerging opportunities and challenges affecting the city.
- Translate long-term priorities into organisational programmes and future investment opportunities.
- Ensure place-based initiatives support the wider objectives of the BID Business Plan.
Strategic Advisory Group
- Lead and facilitate the organisation’s Strategic Advisory Group.
- Develop agendas and programmes of discussion focused on the long-term future of Cardiff.
- Bring together businesses, partners and stakeholders to inform future priorities.
- Translate recommendations into proposals for the Executive Director, Senior Leadership Team and Board.
- Ensure outputs influence workstream priorities, advocacy activity and future organisational planning.
Strategic Projects & Place Shaping
- Lead the development of strategic place-shaping initiatives across Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Bay.
- Identify opportunities relating to public realm, regeneration, connectivity, culture and future investment.
- Develop business cases and partnership proposals for strategic projects.
- Secure external funding and collaborative opportunities where appropriate.
- Oversee delivery of strategic place projects through the Projects Executive and relevant workstream leads.
Executive Sponsorship
- Act as Executive Sponsor for the City Operations workstream.
- Support the Operations Manager in developing annual priorities, budgets and success measures.
- Provide strategic direction, coaching and challenge to support successful delivery.
- Remove organisational barriers and support the resolution of strategic issues.
- Ensure operational delivery contributes to wider organisational priorities.
Sustainability Leadership
- Provide strategic leadership for the sustainability agenda.
- Support and develop the ESG Manager, providing strategic direction whilst enabling them to lead delivery of the ESG Strategy.
- Ensure sustainability, social value and ESG principles are embedded across organisational planning and strategic projects.
- Identify emerging sustainability opportunities that strengthen long-term impact.
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Partnerships & Influence
- Develop strategic relationships with Cardiff Council, Welsh Government, South Wales Police, Transport for Wales, landowners and other key partners.
- Represent the organisation on strategic partnerships, advisory groups and city-wide forums.
- With the Executive Director influence policy, investment and collaborative opportunities that benefit members.
- Working with the PR & Communications Manager position the organisation as a leading voice in shaping the future of Cardiff.
Leadership
- Lead and develop the Place & Sustainability team.
- Foster collaboration across workstreams and organisational functions.
- Manage budgets and resources effectively.
- Contribute to organisational strategy and decision-making as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
- Champion innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement.
Skills & Experience
Essential:
- Experience leading strategic programmes or place-based initiatives.
- Strong stakeholder management and partnership-building skills.
- Experience influencing senior partners and decision-makers.
- Strong project and programme management skills.
- Experience managing budgets and organisational resources.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills.
- The ability to think strategically whilst enabling successful delivery through others.
Desirable:
- Experience within a Business Improvement District, regeneration, local authority, placemaking or economic development environment.
- Knowledge of city centre management and public realm.
- Experience securing external funding or developing collaborative partnerships.
- Understanding of sustainability, ESG or place-based policy.
- Knowledge of Welsh public policy and partnership working.
Recruitment Process
Aspire Recruitment Services Ltd. is acting as an Employment Agency in respect to this vacancy.
To apply, please submit your CV in the first instance.
Candidates shortlisted by Aspire Recruitment Services, will be invited to have a confidential discussion to explore your skills, experience and to assess mutual alignment with the opportunity.
Candidates shortlisted by the Employer will be invited to attend an in-person interview, week commencing Monday 28th September.
It is anticipated that the successful candidate will commence on 1st December 2026.
We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Reasonable adjustments can be made at any stage, to ensure candidates are fully supported throughout interviews and onboarding. As the Employment Agency, Aspire Recruitment Services encourages an open conversation about how we can best facilitate your participation.
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