Senior Principal Digital Economy

Job description

Senior Principal Digital Economy

Permanent

£60,339- £65,483 subject to Job Evaluation

Greater Manchester is building a digital economy that is inclusive, responsible, innovative and globally recognised. We are looking for an exceptional strategic leader to help shape and deliver the next phase of that ambition.

As Digital Economy Strategic Lead, you will provide senior leadership across Greater Manchester's digital economy priorities, bringing coherence and momentum to work spanning AI, cyber, digital innovation, sector development and the Manchester Digital Campus. You will lead delivery of the GM Digital Blueprint priority to digitally enable a resilient and prosperous economy, translating ambitions for inclusive growth, innovation and responsible AI into a clear portfolio of policy, partnership, programme and ecosystem activity.

This is a high-profile policy and systems leadership role. You will work across GMCA, local authorities, universities, government, industry, civic partners and the wider digital ecosystem to create shared ownership where responsibilities span multiple organisations. You will help ensure AI.GM, sector development, innovation and Digital Campus activity are aligned to a single strategic direction and evidence base.

You will advise senior officers, elected members and partners; develop clear policy positions; turn emerging opportunities into practical propositions; and build purposeful partnerships that strengthen Greater Manchester's national influence, investment proposition and ability to demonstrate public and economic value from digital technologies.

About you

You will bring significant experience of developing strategy and policy in a complex, multi-organisational environment, with the ability to turn ambitious ideas into coherent narratives, options, delivery plans and investment propositions. You will understand the digital economy, including digital sector growth, technology adoption, AI, cyber, innovation, digital skills, investment and the role of digital infrastructure in economic resilience.

You will be confident working in a political or high-profile environment, advising senior leaders and supporting decision-making. You will be able to use evidence, insight and delivery learning to define priorities, manage trade-offs and recommend realistic routes to implementation. You will also understand the ethical, social, legal and public trust issues associated with emerging technologies, particularly AI, data, cyber and digital infrastructure.

We are looking for someone who can operate as a system leader: influencing across organisational boundaries, building consensus, communicating complex issues clearly, and creating the conditions for partners to act together. Experience of digital, cyber, AI or technology sector development, place-based economic development, innovation funding, devolution, benefits realisation or working with universities and innovation bodies would be especially valuable.

What you will help deliver

• A coherent Digital Economy strategy and delivery framework for Greater Manchester.
• Stronger alignment across AI.GM, cyber, digital innovation, sector development and Manchester Digital Campus activity.
• Evidence-led propositions that support investment, devolution, national engagement and regional growth.
• Strategic partnerships with government, industry, academia, local authorities and civic organisations.
• A responsible, inclusive and transparent approach to digital economy growth, ensuring innovation creates public value as well as economic value.

GMCA's values are Collaborating, Empowering and Delivering. For this role, we are particularly seeking someone who is evidence-led, future-focused, inclusive, responsible, outward-facing and comfortable leading through ambiguity.