Harrogate BID is Recruiting

Deadline for Applications: Friday 5 September 2025

Interviews: 22/23 September 2025

Chief Executive Officer

Salary: £50,000-£60,000 (dependent on experience)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (flexible working required)
Location: Harrogate, North Yorkshire (Due to the nature of this role, the CEO will be expected to work most of their hours from Harrogate, either in the office or meeting with businesses)
Benefits: NEST Pension Scheme, 25 days annual leave plus public holidays.
Contract Type: Full time, permanent (subject to successful ballots every five years. Notice
period is three months)
Reports to: Harrogate BID Chair and Board of Directors
Direct reports: Five staff members

This is an exciting and pivotal time for Harrogate town centre. Following a successful renewal ballot in 2023, the BID began its second term in January 2024 with a bold business plan focused on three core priorities: Pride in Our Town, A Vibrant Town, and Voice and Vision.

Harrogate BID is looking for an exceptional leader to guide the BID through this next chapter - someone who can deliver tangible results, champion the town centre businesses, and ensure Harrogate thrives as a vibrant, attractive and resilient place. If you’re passionate about place, commercially astute, and ready to lead from the front, Harrogate BID wants to hear from you.

Purpose of the role

As Chief Executive Officer, you will lead the strategic and operational delivery of Harrogate BID, ensuring delivery of the business plan, high-impact outcomes, and strong stakeholder relationships across public and private sectors. You will be a visible leader and respected voice within the business community and across regional and national networks.

Harrogate BID is seeking a leader who combines strategic vision with hands-on delivery, and who thrives in a role that blends business leadership, public engagement and placemaking.

You will bring:

Senior management experience in BIDs, place leadership, economic development or a comparable sector.
Confidence in working with boards, political stakeholders and the business community.
A strong track record of managing multi-agency frameworks.
Strong financial and contract management expertise.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
A proven track record of delivering projects and measurable outcomes.
High emotional intelligence, energy, and the ability to unite people around a common goal.
Experience of working with/managing the media.
Extensive experience of people management.
An understanding of GDPR and how it should be managed in an organisation like a BID.

Find out more about Harrogate BID

How to apply

To apply for this exciting leadership opportunity, please submit:

An up-to-date CV
A covering letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining your interest and suitability for the role

Email applications to: ceo@harrogatebid.co.uk
Subject line: CEO Application - Harrogate BID

Deadline for Applications: Friday 5 September 2025
Interviews: 22/23 September 2025

You can view further details including job description and person specification here