Chief, Place-Based Regions & Nations Growth

WIG; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

WIG seeks a strategic Head of Regions and Nations to stand up the Manchester hub and drive place-based delivery across the UK. You will architect and operationalise partnerships with local authorities, universities and civic partners, delivering cross‑sector programmes with measurable outcomes.

The role requires building a high‑performing, inclusive team, shaping long‑term strategy, and steering the expansion to new regions while maintaining WIG’s standards and impact framework.

Qualifications

• Strategic leadership translates the Regions and Nations priority into a deliverable, sequenced strategy with milestones.
• Place-based and policy literacy in devolution and regional economic development.
• Stakeholder influence to engage senior leaders across government, business and civil society.
• Commercial acumen to design and test programme business cases, manage budgets and targets.
• Programme delivery with QA, impact evaluation and continuous improvement.
• Collaboration across WIG directorates to strengthen, not fragment, the wider offer.
• Inclusive leadership to build high-performing, accountable teams during growth.

Responsibilities

• Take accountability for the strategic success of GM cross-sector leadership Programme and LGY Programme, ensuring strong participant outcomes and cross-sector impact.
• Refine and own the GM/LGY business model; coordinate with Strategy, Programmes, Finance and IT to ensure replicable economics.
• Lead relationships with GMCA, University of Manchester and other partners to align priorities and growth ambitions.
• Convene GM/LGY cohorts and regional dialogue, drawing in leaders from public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
• Develop long-term place-based strategy and scalable delivery framework to adapt to different regions and contexts.
• Engage potential commissioning partners to test the model, secure investment and lay groundwork for new regions.
• Represent WIG at regional and national forums, building trusted relationships with senior leaders across geography.
• Oversee design and delivery of place-based programmes with quality standards and impact evaluation; ensure alignment with WIG’s leadership framework.
• Provide leadership and management to Regions and Nations team, planning capacity and driving engagement.
• Travel across the UK to support regional activity and partnerships.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Place-based and policy literacy

Stakeholder influence

Commercial acumen

Programme delivery

Collaboration

Inclusive leadership

Education

Degree or equivalent; postgraduate desirable

Job description

WIG seeks a strategic Head of Regions and Nations to stand up the Manchester hub and drive place-based delivery across the UK. You will architect and operationalise partnerships with local authorities, universities and civic partners, delivering cross‑sector programmes with measurable outcomes.

The role requires building a high‑performing, inclusive team, shaping long‑term strategy, and steering the expansion to new regions while maintaining WIG’s standards and impact framework.