Subject Matter Expert Business Growth

6 month contract role with a Local Authority

Job Summary:

• The Subject Matter Expert: Business Growth – Management will play a pivotal role in delivering the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) Investment Zone, a major initiative aimed at accelerating innovation-led economic growth across South East Wales.

• Reporting to the Director of Regional Growth & Investment, the postholder will provide specialist expertise in research, development, innovation, and business growth.

• The role will shape, design and implement high-impact programmes aligned with CCR’s Regional Economic and Industrial Plan, with a focus on high-value sectors such as compound semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies.

• Working across public, private, academic, and government partners, the SME will ensure interventions are evidence-based, strategically aligned and deliver measurable outcomes for the region.

Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):

• Provide strategic leadership to shape and drive CCR’s Research, Development & Innovation priorities within the Investment Zone.

• Engage with industry clusters and gather market intelligence to inform policy, programme development and investment decisions.

• Design, manage and deliver innovation-focused programmes that support productivity, competitiveness, and business growth.

• Develop robust business cases, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and public sector investment requirements.

• Build and sustain partnerships with industry, Welsh Government, UK Government, academia and investors to attract inward investment.

• Oversee contract and procurement management to ensure compliant and value-for-money delivery.

• Monitor, evaluate and report on programme performance, including impact measurement.

• Provide leadership, guidance and direction within the Investment Zone Delivery Team.

• Contribute to creating the conditions for innovation-led, high-productivity, high-value job creation in CCR.

Skills/Experience:

• Proven experience in research, development and innovation strategy, preferably within high-value sectors.

• Strong understanding of regional economic development, productivity drivers and innovation ecosystems.

• Demonstrable experience working across public, private and academic sectors in a multi-governance environment.

• Ability to design, lead and deliver complex programmes from inception through to implementation.

• Skilled in stakeholder engagement, diplomacy, and cross-sector collaboration.

• Expertise in developing business cases and securing investment.

• Strong analytical, commercial and policy acumen.

• Experience in monitoring, evaluation and impact reporting.

• Excellent leadership, communication and influencing skills.

• Ability to manage procurement, contracts and partner delivery arrangements.

• Understanding of inward investment approaches and investment attraction strategies.

Additional Information:

• Bi-Weekly Payments.

• Work pattern: Hybrid — remote with 2–3 days per week based at Sbarc | Spark, Cardiff.

• Duration: 24 weeks, starting 13 April 2026 (inside IR35).

• Occasional weekend or evening work may be required.

• Ability to travel across the region is essential.

• Rate: Umbrella rate: £45.93 p/h.