City Development at Leeds City Council
Leeds is a city on the up - home to a thriving economy and a growing population, with a bold vision for inclusive, sustainable growth. Our City Development teams are at the heart of this transformation, shaping the physical, social and environmental fabric of the city as a vibrant, attractive place to live, work and invest - now and for generations to come.
We are seeking two senior leaders to guide this journey. The first will take a lead on place and regeneration programme activity, and the second will head up our asset management service which focuses on the strategic planning of the council’s property portfolio.
If you bring strategic insight, professional credibility and a collaborative mindset, we want to hear from you.
City Development
Our City Development directorate spans the built environment, culture and economy of Leeds, driving strategy and delivering services that enhance quality of life, attract investment, and create opportunity for people and businesses.
The directorate comprises:
Asset management and regeneration
Economy and skills, including culture and the visitor economy
Planning and sustainable development
Highways and transportation
Markets and city centre management
Active Leeds (sports and leisure)
A leadership role in City Development is an opportunity to influence the direction of one of the UK’s most dynamic cities for a future that reflects the needs and aspirations of all communities.
Momentum and scale
Over the past decade, Leeds has seen significant investment and development. Our City Development teams have steered this progress in line with the council’s strategic priorities in our Leeds Ambitions – health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, strong communities and a sustainable city.
Our city’s growth is built on a strong track record of delivery and the coming years will be transformative. We have launched our Leeds Economic Vision, a bold roadmap setting out seven steps that will generate £20 billion in economic growth and create 100,000 new jobs citywide.
We are a key partner in major projects including:
£160m expansion of the Royal Armouries Museum
Elland Road stadium expansion and local regeneration
Aire Park mixed-use development with £40m infrastructure investment
West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s mass transit plans which will revolutionise connectivity across the region
This is your chance to lead at scale, influencing projects that shape Leeds and beyond for decades to come.
Shaping our city
For a stimulating and fulfilling career, look no further than Leeds. The district offers a uniquely varied environment for place professionals, with two-thirds classed as rural, complemented by characterful urban neighbourhoods, green suburbs, and outlying market towns. This complexity demands strategic thinking and innovative solutions.
Our work in City Development underpins Leeds’ success, from the delivery of vital infrastructure to redevelopment and renewal that creates a thriving city for everyone. Through collaborative initiatives such as the Leeds Transformational Regeneration Partnership, we secure investment and deliver projects that build a sustainable future.
We’re focused on maintaining the integrity of our city environment by ensuring development is appropriate, safe and respectful of our city’s history and ecology, while shaping our city as a great place to live, work and visit.
Asset management and regeneration
In Asset Management and Regeneration we are a multi-disciplinary team of place professionals, passionate about realising Leeds’ potential. We collaborate across the public, private and third sectors and engage with communities, building strong relationships to deliver joined-up solutions that reflect the city’s diverse needs.
Asset management and regeneration are key levers for economic development and inclusive growth is central to our strategic priorities. Our remit covers:
Regeneration
Strategic asset management
Land and property
Council housing growth
Station development
Major projects and programmes
As the largest property owner in Leeds, we bring a strategic, commercially minded approach to asset management. The new head of service will oversee our key role balancing financial sustainability with social value, leading an ambitious programme of disposals and the management of the council’s let out commercial property portfolio.
Our regeneration teams are central to progress, growth and renewal in our city, shaping policy and driving place-based programmes that deliver housing, economic growth and creative redevelopment to breathe new life into buildings or neighbourhoods. Our new head of service will act as a trusted advisor to decision makers, champion collaboration and partnership across the sector, lead impactful projects and develop a high-performing team.
For us, regeneration and asset management is about more than buildings; it’s about creating places where people and businesses thrive.
Join Us
We are looking for inspirational leaders with specialist expertise, strategic vision and a commitment to public service. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of one of the UK’s most ambitious cities, driving sustainable development, enabling inclusive growth and leaving a legacy that matters.
