Help attract new businesses, investment and jobs to Sheffield

This is a great time to help shape Sheffield’s economic future. Sheffield and South Yorkshire have been named the UK’s number one Rising Star in the 2026 Dealroom Global Tech Ecosystem Index, while the region’s startup ecosystem is valued at more than £3 billion. With two universities, world-leading advanced manufacturing capabilities and major opportunities linked to the Innovation Spine and Investment Zone, Sheffield has a strong and growing proposition for investors.

As an Investment Manager within Invest Sheffield, you will play a central role in attracting and supporting businesses considering Sheffield as a place to invest, relocate or expand.

You will work through the Sheffield City Landing Pad, a public-private partnership bringing together the Council, property sector, business organisations and other key stakeholders to provide a coordinated front door for investors and promote Sheffield with one clear voice. The partnership includes the Council, Sheffield Property Association, Sheffield Chamber, Sheffield BID and Sheffield Technology Parks.

You will manage investment opportunities from initial enquiry to delivery, building relationships with UK and international investors, developers, property agents, intermediaries and economic development partners. You will understand investors’ requirements, develop tailored propositions, identify property opportunities and coordinate support on planning, recruitment, skills, funding, transport, infrastructure and innovation.

This commercially focused role combines relationship management, business development, city promotion, research and practical problem-solving. You will represent Sheffield at national events, deliver investor roundtables and large-scale promotional activity, and use LinkedIn and other professional channels confidently to build relationships, identify opportunities and promote the city. You will also operate within a politically led local authority, briefing senior officers and elected Members where appropriate.

Key responsibilities

Generate and respond to inward investment enquiries from businesses considering establishing, relocating or expanding in Sheffield.
Manage live investment projects from initial enquiry through to investment decision, establishment and aftercare.
Build trusted relationships with investors, senior business leaders, developers, property agents, intermediaries and partners.
Develop tailored propositions setting out Sheffield’s business, property, sector, skills, innovation and quality-of-place offer.
Undertake property searches and arrange investor meetings, presentations and visits.
Generate opportunities through research, campaigns, events, referrals, LinkedIn and professional networks.
Represent Sheffield at national events and help deliver investor roundtables, conferences and other activity promoting the city.
Coordinate support from Council services and partners to help investors overcome barriers and progress their plans.
Maintain accurate records, handle sensitive information discreetly and prepare briefings for senior officers, Members and partners.
Use investor intelligence to inform Sheffield’s investment proposition, economic priorities and service improvement.

What we’re looking for

You will have experience of working with businesses, investors, developers, property professionals, economic development organisations or relevant partners. You will be comfortable engaging with senior decision-makers and representing Sheffield credibly and confidently.

You will be a strong relationship builder with commercial awareness and an understanding of business location decisions. You will manage complex projects, interpret business and market information and turn requirements into persuasive propositions.

You will bring excellent communication, presentation and influencing skills, sound commercial and political awareness, good judgement with confidential information, and a collaborative, solutions-focused approach. You will also be comfortable promoting Sheffield through professional networks and digital channels, such as LinkedIn.

Experience of inward investment or economic development would be valuable, but we also welcome candidates with transferable experience in business development, commercial property, investor relations, consultancy, account management, international trade or a related field.

About Invest Sheffield

Invest Sheffield is Sheffield City Council’s inward investment and business growth service. We connect investors with commercial property, planning, skills, innovation, funding and business networks, working across the Council and with partners including SYMCA, the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, universities and the private sector.

We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.

It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.

Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form. Sometimes, if lots of people apply, we might not be able to interview everyone who qualifies for the Guarantee. In these cases, we’ll interview the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job.

Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.

If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.

Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026. Find out more on our Sheff news page.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.

We anticipate interviewing for this role w/c 16th Nov.

For an informal conversation about this role contact Dean Hughes - dean.hughes@sheffield.gov.uk