Do you have the drive to tackle some of the toughest housing challenges in the country and turn stalled sites into thriving communities?
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is looking for a Development Manager (Delivery) to join our Housing, Property and Regeneration Directorate. This role offers the chance to help unlock stalled housing projects and bring forward challenging sites that others have walked away from.
You will play a crucial role in managing and appraising applications for grant funding, with a strong focus on enabling the delivery of complex brownfield housing schemes. This is not a traditional investment role. Instead, you will focus on using public subsidies to unlock and de‑risk projects that would otherwise remain unviable.
You will work on some of the most significant and complex development opportunities in the country, collaborating with a wide range of public and private sector partners. The work you do will help accelerate housing delivery, regenerate places, and support inclusive economic growth across the West Midlands.
This is a twelve‑month fixed‑term contract.
What you will be doing.
* Supporting the team’s business development activities with Local Authorities, Developers, Housebuilders and the wider market, to build a strong pipeline of suitable projects, which will deliver outcomes in line with funding objectives.
* Managing and appraising funding applications from developers and local authorities, ensuring alignment with WMCA’s strategic priorities and investment criteria.
* Leading the preparation of investment cases by undertaking technical due diligence, reviewing development appraisals and assessing risk and deliverability.
* Providing clear, evidence‑based recommendations to internal boards, including the WMCA Investment Board, to ensure the safeguarding of public funds.
* Acting as a central contact for key partners such as local authorities, developers, investors and agents, supporting projects from concept through to delivery.
* Commissioning and managing external advisors including legal, valuation, technical and planning consultants.
* Identifying opportunities to de‑risk sites, such as addressing planning constraints, infrastructure needs or remediation issues, and advising on strategies to accelerate development.
* Representing WMCA in project steering groups and senior stakeholder meetings, building strong delivery partnerships across the region.
* Championing WMCA’s role in unlocking housing growth and regeneration, and contributing to wider objectives around inclusive growth, sustainability and placemaking.
What’s essential.
* A strong background in real estate development, regeneration or property investment, with a detailed understanding of the development process.
* Driving own activity, in order to source and identify new opportunities that can then be managed from concept all the way to a signed funding agreement and thereafter to delivery.
* Experience appraising development opportunities and preparing robust, financially sound business cases for public funding.
* Proven ability to manage complex land or development projects, with a focus on delivery, viability and risk management.
* Confidence in influencing and negotiating with senior stakeholders, particularly across organisational boundaries.
* A track record of working collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams and managing external consultants.
* Strong problem‑solving skills, particularly in relation to technical constraints such as contamination, infrastructure, planning and access.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce briefings and reports for both technical and non‑technical audiences.
Location.
The location for this role is Summer Lane with at least 2 days a week spent in the office.
Salary and benefits.
* Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).
* Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme where you can build an additional pot of money alongside your pension with contributions exempt from Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs).
* 28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more) + Statutory days.
* EV car benefit scheme
* Healthcare plans.
* Discounted gym membership, will writing,andmortgage advice.
* An option to buy a bicycle, including e-bikes and adapted pedal cycles, at a discounted rate.
* 3 days of paid leave each year to volunteer.
* Interest‑free financing through SmartTech to buy the latest technology.
* Discounted shopping with over 2,000 big‑name retailers, and more. You can now also obtain a Costco membership through the WMCA.
* Boundless unlocks unlimited entry to top‑rated UK attractions and loads of extra benefits and discounts.
* Eye Care Scheme, offering a free eye test and a financial contribution towards your glasses.
Right to Work in the UK
Proof of Right to Work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.
Non‑UK applicants (excluding Ireland) would be required to hold a relevant Visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
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