Principal Sector & Cluster Development

Principal Officer Sector & Cluster Development

Salary: £54,495.00 - £59,113.34
Hours: Full Time, 36.25 hours per week
Contract: 12-month FTC
Location: Tootal Buildings, 56 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EU (Hybrid working)
Advert closing date: June 7th, 2026

Your role:

As a member of the Economy, Innovation, Culture and International Directorate at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) you will lead the development and delivery of the portfolio of Sector Development Plans, working with priority sector leads to ensure Greater Manchester’s overall approach is coordinated, coherent and effective. You will also act as sector lead and first point of contact for the Financial Services and Business & Professional Services sectors, maximise spillover opportunities across priority areas, and provide thought leadership and constructive challenge across GMCA and partner organisations.

The role requires an excellent understanding of economic issues and policy, and how these relate to the wider priorities and strategies of GMCA and its partners. It will be important for the postholder to navigate and develop policy that responds effectively to the GM Good Growth agenda, GM Innovation Plan, and Greater Manchester Strategy as well as to the UK Government’s key missions for growth and Plan for Change as well as covering relevant areas of emerging national industrial, infrastructure, and trade strategies in a dynamic policy environment.

About you

You will have significant experience in policy and strategy development and implementation relating to economic growth and/or sector and cluster development initiatives, with a strong track record of delivering through partnerships and influencing decision-makers.

• Proven ability to develop and implement evidence-based policies and strategies relating to economic growth.

• Demonstrable knowledge of sector and cluster development policy and delivery, and its role in economic growth and innovation.

• Understanding the policy context and operating environment of GMCA, including the Greater Manchester Local Growth Plan and how it relates to the Greater Manchester Strategy.

• Strong project and programme management skills, including governance, assurance and progress reporting.

• Excellent relationship-building skills and experience delivering through collaborations and partnerships across public, private and voluntary sectors.

• Exceptional ability to negotiate and influence external agencies, senior officers and other stakeholders.

• Strong communication, presentation and briefing skills, including providing advice to senior officers and politicians.

• Ability to analyse complex information from multiple sources and draw out outcome-focused solutions.

• Ability to manage competing priorities with a creative, outcome-orientated approach to problem solving.

• Ability to fully utilise office IT systems to perform the role and support collaborative working.

• Ability to act as an ambassador for Greater Manchester and deliver against priorities set out in relevant strategies.

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent), or substantial equivalent experience in a relevant discipline.

• About us

GMCA is made up of a number of key Greater Manchester strategic functions and service providers including: Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS); Waste and Resources; Environment; Work and Skills; Research; Public Sector Reform; Police, Crime and Criminal Justice; Homelessness; the Greater Manchester Ageing Hub; and the Commissioning Hub.

We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across Greater Manchester. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people’s age, disability, trans status and non-binary identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.

Mandatory Information:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. However, we value human talent and are looking for passionate individuals to join our organisation. Please ensure you personally complete your application and read all the instructions carefully to maximise your chances of success.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting, however we understand that AI may be used as a reasonable adjustment, if using AI to support your application, please give a brief explanation why to help ensure fair selection process.

Privacy Notice

Employees on the redeployment register will be given priority for any vacancies in the first instance. If employees are identified as a match from the register then the vacancy may be withdrawn or put on hold pending an outcome.

For this opportunity, you must be able to prove you have the right to work in the UK - if in doubt please visit the following link Employers' right to work checklist - GOV.UK ( Please note we are not a licenced sponsor.

Hybrid working

This role is part of GMCA’s hybrid working scheme. As part of our commitment to ‘Build Back Fairer’ in Greater Manchester following the Covid-19 pandemic, we have evolved our management methods by trusting and empowering staff to deliver their work in the best way that suits the business and their individual needs, and supports health and wellbeing. Our hybrid working policy sets out a flexible approach, combining attendance at our on-site locations with remote working, typically from home; the location of work is primarily dictated by the needs of the business: ‘Do what is right for you and the business on that day’. If appointed to the role you will work with your manager to agree and regularly review the best working pattern for you, your team and your work.

GM Elevate Programme

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme within the last two years, please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application?

Supporting Documents