Portfolio Director

Llyw; Llandudno; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Llandudno is seeking a senior leader to spearhead the North Wales Growth Deal, enhancing regional economic growth and development. The successful candidate will drive collaboration with various stakeholders, including local authorities and the private sector, ensuring effective governance and accountability in all delivery aspects. Strong leadership and communication skills, along with a deep understanding of economic policies, are essential. This role offers a chance to make a significant impact on North Wales's economic landscape.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of senior leadership in delivering complex portfolios.
• Strong knowledge of economic development and regional growth policies.
• Experience in building effective collaborative relationships.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior leadership for the North Wales Growth Deal.
• Drive collaboration across local authorities and other partners.
• Champion inclusive economic growth and job creation.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic vision

Analytical skills

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Educated to degree level or equivalent

Job description

Job Advertisement

Gwynedd Council offers an attractive employment package, for more information please click on this Information Pack. Gwynedd Council operates internally through the medium of Welsh, and offers all its services bilingually. The applicant will be required to reach the linguistic level noted as one of the essential skills in the Person Specification. We encourage everyone who applies for a job with Gwynedd Council to submit job applications in Welsh or bilingually. Applications submitted in English only or Welsh only will always be treated equally, but we ask applicants to consider carefully what the linguistic requirements of the job in question is and if it would be more appropriate to submit an application in Welsh. For further information about this post please contact Alwen Williams, Chief Executive – North Wales Corporate Joint Committee.

Email: [e-mail]
Email: [e-mail]
Tel: [phone]

CLOSING DATE: 10:00 AM, 22/01/2026
Interviews are scheduled to take place on the 20th of March 2026. If you are shortlisted for an interview you will be contacted by e‑mail using the address provided on your application form. Please check your email regularly.

Values and Behaviours

Team Values: We are Ambitious – we strive to deliver the best for North Wales. We are leaders in our fields, opinion former and influencers, and we challenge conventional thinking. We pursue high standards, aim to be our best, and continuously develop ourselves professionally. We work Collaboratively – we share knowledge, skills, information and support and ensure we keep colleagues informed. We always help each other, facilitate opportunities for North Wales and recognise that our collective impact is more significant than our individual impact. We do the right thing – we do the right thing, not what is easy. We challenge unethical behaviour and speak out when things don't feel right. We are respectful, fair and considerate and can be trusted to deliver agreed commitments on time. We make a difference – we pursue opportunities to make a difference in North Wales. We champion the Welsh language, heritage and culture and support regional charities. We protect the environment and seek opportunities to reduce our footprint.

Core behaviours for all roles: Leadership – we all lead by example and are all leaders within our own areas. Responsibility – we take responsibility for our work, performance and development. Respect – we respect our colleagues, partners and stakeholders and demonstrate this throughout our work and in how we build effective relationships. The role holder will be expected to demonstrate the highest standards of ethical conduct and public service values, consistent with the Nolan Principles of Public Life: self‑lessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Evidence of relevant continuous professional and managerial development.
• Proven track record of senior leadership in delivering complex portfolios, programmes, or economic development initiatives, ideally within a multi‑stakeholder or public sector environment.
• Strong knowledge of economic development, regional growth, and regeneration policy in Wales and the UK, including understanding of government funding and the HM Treasury’s Green Book guidance for Better Business Cases.
• Extensive experience of partnership working with local authorities, higher/further education, the private sector, and government, with evidence of building effective collaborative relationships.
• Demonstrable ability to translate strategic vision into delivery, ensuring measurable outcomes, value for money, and sustainable benefits.
• Excellent political awareness and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate across diverse interests and at senior levels.
• Proven capability in programme management, including risk, performance, financial management, and governance.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret economic, financial, and demographic data to support evidence‑based decision‑making.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to inspire confidence and promote the Ambition North Wales vision to varied audiences.
• Proven leadership and people management skills, with experience in developing high‑performing, motivated teams.
• Commitment to the highest standards of public service and governance, including adherence to the Nolan Principles of Public Life (self‑lessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, leadership).

Language Requirements

For this role the following requirements are ESSENTIAL: Listening and Speaking – able to deal with all aspects of the job verbally in a confident manner in both Welsh and English. Reading and Understanding – able to use and interpret correctly any information in both Welsh and English from a wide variety of sources in order to deal with all aspects of the post. Writing – able to present written information in both Welsh and English with complete confidence using the most appropriate language and style to meet the needs of the reader.

Job Description

Purpose of Role: Provide senior leadership and direction for the delivery of the North Wales Growth Deal in line with the region’s long‑term vision for Economic Well‑being. Drive and promote collaboration across the six North Wales local authorities, higher and further education, the private sector, and Welsh and UK Governments to maximise economic and social impact. Lead the planning, management, and delivery of the Growth Deal portfolio, securing value for money and achieving agreed outcomes. Champion inclusive, sustainable economic growth through innovation, skills development, job creation, private sector investment, and the transition to a low‑carbon economy. Develop and maintain strong working relationships with regional, national, and UK stakeholders, supporting the CEO in influencing policy, attracting investment, and strengthening North Wales’s economic position. Ensure high standards of governance, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of portfolio delivery. Act as a senior representative of the organisation, promoting the region’s opportunities and achievements to partners, investors, and communities.

Core Leadership Responsibilities

• Collective responsibility as part of the Leadership Team for setting strategy, delivery and performance management across the organisation.
• Responsible for embodying and ensuring staff and teams embody the values and behaviours of Ambition North Wales.
• Support colleagues and team members to deliver on the priorities of Ambition North Wales and for supporting their development.
• Matrix management of staff and resources across the Corporate Joint Committee as required to deliver on priorities.
• Act as an ambassador for Ambition North Wales and the region.

Role Specific Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Vision – Be accountable to the North Wales Economic Well‑being Sub‑Committee for the development and operational delivery of the Vision for Economic Well‑being, providing strategic advice and direction to maximise opportunities for sustainable and inclusive economic growth across the region. Provide expert guidance and recommendations to the Sub‑Committee on the strategies and systems required to deliver growth and prosperity, ensuring employment, skills, transport, and land‑use planning are integrated. Identify and pursue opportunities to influence UK and Welsh Government policy and attract external investment. Promote a joined‑up and collaborative approach among key partners and maintain a strong relationship with the Growth Deal’s Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) and the CEO of Ambition North Wales, escalating risks and issues appropriately.
2. Programme & Portfolio Delivery – Lead and co‑ordinate the successful delivery of the North Wales Growth Deal, ensuring all programmes and projects are delivered effectively by relevant partners, supported by a comprehensive and resourced programme plan, robust project management arrangements, and clear performance monitoring. Take responsibility for performance, risk management, and outcomes of Growth Deal programmes and projects, review and synthesize economic and demographic analysis, and develop and manage the portfolio budget in partnership with Finance business partners.
3. Governance, Accountability & Compliance – Coordinate decision‑making through partner councils and other agencies, ensure timely decisions and high‑quality performance reports, lead delivery through the Portfolio Office, and ensure robust controls for risk management, benefits realisation, issue resolution, and change control. Work proactively with statutory officers to ensure all portfolio activities comply with relevant financial, legal, and governance regulations.
4. Stakeholder & Partnership Engagement – Build and maintain strong, strategic relationships with Welsh and UK Governments, neighbouring Local Authorities, Combined Authorities, and other regional and national stakeholders. Act as the senior point of contact for external stakeholders engaging with the Economic Well‑being Sub‑Committee, and work proactively with the Regional Business Advisory Board.
5. Leadership of People & Resources – Provide visible leadership supporting the development of a high‑performing, motivated team culture, and foster a culture of collaboration, integrity, and excellence. Support and develop staff through effective line and matrix management.
6. Additional Duties – Undertake any other responsibilities commensurate with the seniority of the role to support the CEO and the wider team in delivering organisational and regional priorities.

Legal and Equal Opportunity Statement

Gwynedd Council is committed to equal opportunities and encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply. The council is an Equal Opportunities Employer.