The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is seeking to appoint two representatives to our Investment Panel within our decision-making structure. The panel is already made up of Local Authority Officers to offer public sector insight, so we would now value applications from private-sector/ commercial backgrounds to offer their perspective.
Our Investment Panel brings together colleagues from across our seven Constituent Councils (Birmingham, Coventry, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton) and supports the Investment Panel (made up of Councillors from our Constituent Councils, whom are the ultimate decision makers) in making its decisions by considering draft reports to be considered by the Investment Panel and making recommendations on each investment proposal. The panel will scrutinise and challenge the content, assumptions and validation of investment proposals, including by making recommendations as to the conditions that should apply to such funding decisions.
We are specifically looking for candidates with experience in commercial activities within real estate and transport, as well as candidates who may have experience within financing these commercial activities.
What is the WMCA?
A combined authority is a group of local authorities working together to make their region a better place to live. The government gives combined authorities the money and power to make decisions for their regions. This is an exciting time to be part of the WMCA, we are implementing our trailblazer deal and the single settlement which will transform the way we make decisions and have a lasting impact on our region.
It isn’t only the work that we do, it is the way that we do it. The WMCA is a partnership organisation; our people have a can-do attitude and are innovators. We try new ways of doing things, we aren’t afraid to fail, learn from what went wrong, and try again.
You will play a key role as part of the CA team, providing private sector expertise to the work we do. We recognise that voices like yours will help enhance our commercial strategies and interventions, shape the regional economy, help bolster trade and investment, provide challenge and insight on business impacts of public sector initiatives and provide us with your delivery expertise.
So, what will you be doing?
- You will receive reports, often in the form of Business Cases, with accompanying risk appraisal where constructive challenge of assumptions, based upon experience, is welcome.
- You will ask colleagues questions to help shape the recommendations the Panel makes.
- Ensure the investments and decisions we make deliver maximum impact and value for money.
- You will need to make yourself available for an average of half a day, once a month, for the meetings and around a half day or full day in the week before in order to read and digest the Panel pack.
- Champion the WMCA’s work locally, nationally and internationally, using your skills, experience and networks to help us drive forward our agenda and overcome obstacles.
What we're looking for in a candidate.
- Ablity to demonstrate a track record in the leadership of a business– ideally in the West Midlands Combined Authority Area.
- Well-connected, with demonstrable and current links with other businesses within the West Midlands.
- Experience of working in partnership with the public sector and have awareness of the legislative and political space we work within.
- Ability to act independently of politics and not represent a political party in any elected office.
- Ability to be open and transparent when it comes to conflicts of interest and be willing to sign our code of conduct.
The successful individual will ideally need to have:
- A proven track record of delivery within the private sector.
- Significant senior-level experience in a private sector business that has strong roots in the WMCA area.
- Experience of public/private partnership working and of building partnerships that add value.
- An awareness of the WMCAs' goals and objectives and the role we play within the region.
- Extensive personal and organisational networks.
- Technical knowledge that can be applied to ask searching questions. Given the varied nature of projects and programmes presented to the Investment Board, this could be in transport, real estate, skills, energy etc or in the professional services that support these functions such as finance or law.
In addition, to be eligible for the post, individuals must:
- Be aged 18 or over.
- Not currently be a member or employee of West Midlands Combined Authority.
- Not be actively engaged in local party-political activity.
- Not be the subject of a bankruptcy restriction order or interim order.
- Not have been convicted within the last five years of any offence resulting in a sentence of three months’ imprisonment or more (whether suspended or not).
- Not have been convicted of any fraudulent or corrupt electoral practice for which there is a period of disqualification.
Key Dates:
- Advert open to applications: 31st July - 14th August.
- Interviews: Likely to commence from 1st September.
Reasonable adjustments.
If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team (careers@wmca.org.uk).
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 appointment can be confirmed.
