About the Role

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead one of the most respected and high-performing development agencies in the country at a defining moment in its journey. As Managing Director of Rochdale Development Agency, you will take responsibility for delivering an ambitious programme of regeneration and economic growth that will transform the borough and make a major contribution to the future prosperity of Greater Manchester.

Reporting to the Chief Executive and working closely with the RDA Board, Rochdale Borough Council, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and a wide network of partners, you will provide the strategic leadership to turn the borough’s Growth Plan into reality. That means ensuring major projects are delivered on time, on budget and with the greatest possible impact. The role requires vision and strategy, but also the ability to lead delivery with credibility and pace.

You will take forward some of the most significant regeneration and development opportunities in the North of England. Atom Valley and the Northern Gateway Mayoral Development Corporation are poised to create thousands of jobs, unlock new housing growth and secure Rochdale’s position at the centre of Greater Manchester’s advanced manufacturing and innovation economy. Alongside this, you will oversee delivery of the Rochdale Rail Corridor Housing Strategy, which will bring 7,000 new homes to sustainable brownfield sites, drive the next phases of regeneration in Heywood, Middleton, Littleborough and Rochdale town centres, and support the continued success of Kingsway Business Park, where the new Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre is taking shape. These are once-in-a-generation opportunities to redefine Rochdale’s economic future.

The remit of the Agency, however, goes beyond physical regeneration. As Managing Director you will ensure the RDA continues to support the borough’s business base, helping businesses to innovate, become more productive, recruit and train local people, and access the skills they need. You will lead on culture and placemaking, overseeing festivals, events and cultural projects that bring vitality to town centres and build on Rochdale’s status as Greater Manchester Town of Culture. You will also be expected to broaden and diversify the Agency’s income base, winning government funding, attracting investment and exploring commercial opportunities, from building and managing industrial units to promoting Rochdale as a destination for film and television production.

Internally, you will lead a team of more than 40 skilled professionals, fostering ambition, accountability and collaboration. You will be accountable for financial sustainability, performance and governance, while representing the Agency’s achievements to elected members, the Board and partners. You will also play a visible role across the Council, sitting on the Economy and Place senior management team and working with other Directorates, Cabinet and elected Members to align the Agency’s delivery with wider corporate priorities.

This is both a demanding and rewarding role, offering the chance to lead transformational projects of national importance while ensuring that delivery remains credible, resilient and outward-facing. It combines the excitement of shaping the borough’s future with the responsibility of keeping the Agency innovative, commercially astute and deeply connected to its communities.

About You

We are seeking a leader of the highest calibre, someone who can combine vision with delivery, commercial acumen with public service values, and diplomacy with determination. You will already be operating at a senior level and bring substantial experience in economic development, regeneration or investment. You will have the track record to inspire confidence and lead programmes of scale and complexity.

You will be adept at navigating politically sensitive environments, forging strong and lasting relationships with elected members, government partners, investors, developers and communities. You will understand how to secure funding, attract investment and deliver programmes that create jobs, housing and long-term prosperity. Just as importantly, you will appreciate that regeneration is not only about physical development, but about building inclusive opportunities, raising aspirations and ensuring that growth benefits every part of the borough.

Your leadership style will be inspiring and collaborative. You will provide clarity of direction, create a culture where innovation flourishes, and empower teams to deliver their best. You will be an effective ambassador for Rochdale, with the presence and communication skills to represent the borough confidently at regional, national and international level, while also bringing the authenticity and integrity that earns trust at home.

Above all, you will share our belief in inclusive and sustainable growth. You will recognise the scale of the opportunity before us and be motivated by the challenge of leading transformational change that leaves a lasting legacy. If you are driven by the chance to shape places, attract investment and deliver real outcomes for businesses and communities, we would be delighted to hear from you.