The West Midlands is entering an exciting period of investment, regeneration and economic growth. At the West Midlands Combined Authority, we are developing our in-house investment capability to mobilise and deploy devolved investment funds across housing, regeneration, infrastructure, commercial and mixed-use development.
As Senior Manager – Investments, you will lead complex real estate investment transactions from appraisal and structuring through to negotiation, approval, completion and handover. You will apply strong commercial judgement, technical investment expertise and rigorous risk assessment to help deliver investments that create lasting economic and social impact across the region.
What you will be doing.
• Lead assigned complex investment transactions through appraisal, structuring, negotiation, due diligence, approval, completion and handover.
• Provide senior technical advice on commercial viability, financial structuring, risk, security, value for money and investment returns.
• Structure blended funding solutions that may include debt, mezzanine finance, grant, equity and public or private sector co-investment.
• Oversee financial modelling, sensitivity analysis, stress testing and scenario analysis.
• Prepare and present compelling investment reports, business cases and recommendations to investment boards and other approval bodies.
• Lead commercial negotiations with developers, funders, delivery partners, advisers and institutional investors.
• Ensure investment proposals are robust, evidence-based and compliant with financial, legal and governance requirements.
• Identify and manage commercial, financial, legal, delivery and reputational risks across proposed and live investments.
• Provide technical leadership, coaching and quality assurance to Investment Managers.
• Support the development of WMCA’s investment processes, governance arrangements, templates and professional capability.
• Oversee the performance of live investments and support their effective transition into portfolio management.
What’s essential.
We are looking for a commercially minded investment professional with a strong track record of structuring and negotiating complex real estate finance transactions.
• Proven experience of leading complex real estate development finance transactions.
• Experience of combining multiple funding sources within a single transaction.
• Strong financial modelling, investment appraisal and commercial due diligence skills.
• A detailed understanding of real estate finance, funding structures, security arrangements and risk allocation.
• Experience of working with developers, commercial lenders, funders and institutional investors.
• Experience of managing live real estate development transactions and complex stakeholder relationships.
• The ability to balance commercial return, risk management and wider public policy outcomes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to present technically complex proposals to senior decision-makers.
• Experience of preparing or contributing to investment committee, credit committee, board or equivalent approval papers.
• A degree or equivalent qualification in finance, real estate, economics, business, accounting or a related discipline.
Experience of applying investment appraisal in a public-sector, regeneration, infrastructure or economic development environment would be advantageous. A relevant professional qualification, such as ACA, ACCA, CFA, CIMA or MRICS, would also be desirable.
Location.
The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3SD with at least 2 days a week spent in the office.
How to apply.
Applying for a role with WMCA is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started.
- Create your Careers Account. Register with your name, email address, and a password.
- Build your Profile. Upload your CV to help populate your career and education details.
- Write your Supporting Statement. Make sure to address each of the required essential criteria.
- Submit your application. Do one final check and once complete, click submit.
Please note, we reserve the right to close any vacancy from further submissions when we have received sufficient applications from which to make a shortlist. Please apply without delay if you wish to be considered for this role.
Anonymised Applications.
Your uploaded CV won’t be visible after submission. Our process is anonymised, and only the information in your profile is used for shortlisting. Be thorough in each section. It’s your chance to showcase your skills and experience.
Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)
We cannot stop anyone from using AI to help write application content. Used right, it can be a great tool. If you choose to use AI, then use it as a helper rather than relying on it wholly to write your application.
Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting. For help on how to write a supporting statement, please visit the FAQs section of our careers site.
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).
Salary and benefits.
We advertise salary ranges, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees. Requests for salaries above the maximum advertised range will not be considered.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- 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, and mortgage 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.
For more information, please visit the benefits page on our career site.
Why join WMCA?
WMCA is laser-focused on improving the West Midlands, bringing economic growth, jobs, homes, and better journeys to the region. We target local needs where it matters most, ensuring everyone has a job that pays well and has access to safe and affordable places they can call home.
We put people and place at the heart of everything we do, working hand in hand with our partners to direct funding where it's needed most. What you do, really matters. Your expertise will help make a big difference, improving people's lives, every day.
Our Values and Behaviours.
Fostering an environment where people feel valued, included, supported, and proud to contribute to our region is important to us at the WMCA. Our behaviours are more than statements; they guide how we work, make decisions, and treat one another - they set the standards we hold ourselves to and the experience we want others to have.
- Collaborative - We work as one organisation. Together we build trust, connection and shared purpose across teams, partners and residents to create the biggest impact for our region.
- Driven - We are focused on outcomes. We perform at our best to unlock productivity and delivery, achieving the greatest regional impact.
- Inclusive - We value difference. Creating an environment where people belong, and feel psychologically safe, so we can all thrive and shape a West Midlands built for everyone.
- Innovative - We are courageous. We embrace new ideas and challenge the status quo to continuously improve and shape the future of the West Midlands.
Creating an inclusive workplace.
WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as the RACE Code Quality Mark, Armed Forces Covenant (Gold status) and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We’re a Disability Confident Employer with ‘Leader’ status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria.
We are also proud to be a Ban the Box employer, which means we do not ask about criminal convictions at the initial application stage, and will only ask after an offer is made as part of our onboarding checks, which helps us remove barriers for people with past convictions and supporting fair opportunities for all.
We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional "perfect candidate" mould.
We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying
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).
