Strategic Partnership Director - Local Authority
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At the National Wealth Fund, our mission is to swiftly and effectively mobilise trusted sector insights and investment expertise to unlock billions in private finance for projects across the United Kingdom. With £27.8bn of capital, we help markets invest with confidence and drive the Government’s growth ambitions.
We are looking for skilled, results‑oriented individuals motivated to help us build the National Wealth Fund into an industry‑leading institution.
Job Purpose
As part of the Fund’s mission to support net zero transition and drive local and regional economic growth, the Local Authority (LA) function plays a key role in enabling technically complex and innovative infrastructure investments.
Following HMT’s January 2025 announcement, NWF is establishing Strategic Partnerships with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, West Midlands Combined Authority, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Glasgow City Region.
Location: Leeds, hybrid working with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office.
Deadline: 11th November 2025.
In this senior, client‑facing, leadership position, the Director will proactively build relationships across the regions they operate in to identify advisory and lending opportunities within their Strategic Partnership. The Director brings strong relationship‑management skills, delivery knowledge and financing excellence to enable local government to enter into successful commercial and financial arrangements with delivery partners and bridge financing gaps sustainably.
The role supports the deployment of NWF’s capital and collaborates with sector and investment teams, both within NWF and within their allocated Strategic Partnerships and MCAs in their regional areas. LA sector areas of focus include retrofit, heat networks, transport and place‑based regeneration, with scope to expand as NWF’s remit evolves.
Each Director role has an agreed regional cluster focus covering Strategic Partners and MCAs. We are looking for Directors based in one of the four regions.
Core Responsibilities
* Represent the Fund and cement its reputation as a centre of excellence in local authority project financing; act as the Director coordinating the Strategic Partnership portfolio of support and serve as an ambassador for NWF at industry events and conferences.
* Build relationships within a Strategic Partnership and regional MCAs executive communities; proactively network and engage with senior stakeholders, including investors, developers, banks and leading industry experts to create future commercial opportunities.
* Strategically solve complex problems, drawing on own expertise to identify efficient solutions and ensure authorities receive expert advice for commercially sustainable outcomes aligned to the Fund’s principles.
* Manage engagement within the Strategic Partnership team, working alongside and bringing in support from other LA team members and other parts of the Fund.
* Support shaping the Fund’s LA regional role, helping attract and retain high‑performing talent and expertise within project and infrastructure finance and delivery, establishing NWF as a market leader.
* Advises the Strategic Partnership and partners with other MCAs and City Regions through commercial and financial negotiations, ensuring all affiliated risks are clearly identified and communicated to the appropriate levels within the local authority.
* Interface constructively and collaboratively with senior colleagues across NWF to share expert knowledge, draft sector strategies and fulfil the strategic mission of the Fund.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
* Significant experience in financing or delivering infrastructure projects and investments, with a focus on public sector infrastructure.
* Extensive experience working with government finance, public sector accounting, devolved governance and institutional investors.
* Commercially astute with demonstrable evidence of excellent negotiation skills from involvement in complex transactions.
* Substantial experience of partnership working and managing advisory engagements and ideally formal lending processes; including negotiation, due diligence and review of contracts, and assessment of programme/project risks.
* Skilled communicator ensuring positive representation of NWF within public sector forums.
* Collaborative team player committed to NWF’s mission and contributing to a positive culture.
We offer competitive benefits and unique learning opportunities, combining private and public sector skills and experience. Please note, referencing and background checks are carried out for all roles here at the National Wealth Fund.
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