Job detail for Consultant (Local Economic Development)

Contract type/Duration: Permanent

Working hours: Full Time 9 Day Fortnight working pattern

Band: 2.1

Salary: £32,805 - £41,282 Reports to: Head of Regional Delivery

Location: Birmingham

Closing date: 10am on the 7th of October 2026

The Role

As a Consultant in the Regional Delivery team, you will build up the place based knowledge base and design and delivery of projects that help places, public bodies, industry partners and government organisations make evidence-based decisions about economic growth, innovation and place development.

You will undertake research, knowledge synthesis and economic analysis to transform diverse evidence sources into clear insights, practical recommendations and compelling client outputs. Working alongside experienced consultants and team leads, you will contribute to projects focused on regional economic development, innovation ecosystems, infrastructure, transport, digital transformation and place-based growth.

The role offers an excellent opportunity to develop consulting, analytical and stakeholder engagement skills while working on nationally significant programmes in the devolution era.

Knowledge Synthesis and Research

• Conduct desk-based research across economic, innovation, policy and place-based topics.
• Review and synthesise evidence from reports, datasets, academic literature, stakeholder interviews and workshops.
• Identify key trends, opportunities, challenges and emerging policy developments affecting places and regions.
• Produce concise briefings, evidence reviews and insight papers for internal and external audiences.
• Translate complex evidence into accessible messages and actionable recommendations.

Economic Analysis

• Support economic analysis relating to regional growth, innovation, productivity, employment, skills and investment.
• Assist with data collection, cleansing and analysis using appropriate quantitative methods.
• Develop charts, dashboards and visualisations that communicate findings clearly.
• Support economic appraisal, impact assessment and benefits analysis activities.
• Contribute to benchmarking exercises comparing places, sectors or regions.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Participate in client meetings, workshops and stakeholder discussions.
• Take notes, capture insights and support analysis of stakeholder perspectives.
• Build positive working relationships with clients, partners and collaborators.
• Demonstrate professionalism and represent the organisation positively in all interactions.

Business Development Support

• Undertake research to support proposals, bids and opportunity development.
•  Support the preparation of case studies, evidence packs and presentation materials.
• Contribute ideas and insights that help identify future opportunities.

Essential Skills and Experience

Knowledge and Technical Skills

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in economics, public policy, social sciences, business, innovation studies or a related discipline.
• Understanding of economic development, innovation, regional growth or place-based policy issues.
• Strong research, and analytical skills.
• Ability to interpret qualitative and quantitative information.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to present findings clearly through written reports and presentations.

Personal Attributes

• Curious and intellectually rigorous.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Collaborative and willing to learn from colleagues.
• Comfortable working with ambiguity and complex challenges.
• Committed to inclusive and sustainable outcomes.

Desirable Experience

• Experience analysing economic, demographic or innovation datasets.
• Knowledge of UK regional growth, devolution or industrial policy.
• Experience supporting stakeholder engagement or workshop activities.
• Previous consultancy, research or policy experience through employment, internships or academic projects.

Key

• Support revenue targets​.
• Spot opportunities.
• Contribute to bids and proposals.
• Support client confidence in and building credibility of CPC.
• Ensure CRM system is updated with stakeholder contact and any other account information.
• Support scoping and delivery of streams of work​.
• Deliver plans as designed​.
• Implement effective project management process​.
• Organise your own contribution to the work stream.
• Collaborate effectively across the work streams/project team​.
• Provide excellence in delivery​.
• Meet (or exceed) utilisation targets​.
• Promote innovative and professional delivery focus across project team.
• Support buy in across a range of stakeholders through professional and technical expertise​.
• Accountable for timely and high-quality actions/tasks and updates​.
• Update CRM system with contact of client information
• Maintain own professional development.
• Ensure an ethos of equity, inclusivity and diversity underpin your work activity, contribute to inclusive innovation across all Catapult activities.

You may be required to undertake any other reasonable duties to support the Catapult in achieving its strategic outcomes and ensure effective business operations.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Identify new methodologies or approaches.
• Identify solutions beyond the tried and tested methods.
• Collaborate effectively across teams and disciplines.
• Influence effectively in projects and tasks.
• Customer perspective is understood and applied.
• Uses multi-channel communication to ensure clarity and connection on activities.
• Able to plan and deliver on multiple activities.
• Respond to and learns from change with ease.
• Embed inclusive and sustainability practices in planning and delivery.

Benefits

• 9 day fortnight for everyone, every other Friday
• 23.5 holiday entitlement for everyone, with pro-rata calculations for part-time employees, along with a Christmas shutdown period for additional days off.
• Competitive pension, up to 10% company contribution to help you save for your future.
• Two paid days of volunteering leave per year (pro-rata for part-time employees) to support charitable activities.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing 24/7 confidential work/life support services to you and your immediate family members.
• Cycle to Work Scheme encouraging a healthy and sustainable commute.
• Cash Health Plan, offering reimbursement for a wide range of essential and everyday healthcare expenses, promoting your well-being.
• Payroll Giving scheme, allowing regular charitable contributions from pre-tax income, maximizing the impact of your donations.
• Discounts and offers from a wide variety of retailers, enhancing your purchasing power and providing savings opportunities.
• Mortgage Advice benefit, delivered in partnership with Charles Cameron & Associates – provides employees with free, expert mortgage advice and end-to-end mortgage support from the application process through to completion.

Connected Places Catapult is committed to building a diverse, inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to ensuring a fair and inclusive recruitment process. If you require any adjustments during the application or interview process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you