Development Manager

West Midlands Combined Authority; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The West Midlands Combined Authority seeks a Development Manager to address significant housing challenges by managing complex projects and funding applications. This role focuses on unlocking stalled housing sites through collaboration with various stakeholders to promote economic growth and regeneration across the region. Key qualifications include a strong background in real estate development and effective project management skills.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

28 days paid annual leave

Discounted gym membership

3 days of paid leave for volunteering

Interest-free financing for technology purchases

Discounted shopping with retailers

Qualifications

• Strong background in real estate development, regeneration or property investment.
• Experience in appraising development opportunities and preparing business cases.
• Ability to manage complex projects with a focus on viability and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Manage funding applications from developers and local authorities.
• Lead investment case preparations through technical due diligence.
• Represent WMCA in project steering groups and senior stakeholder meetings.

Skills

Real estate development

Project management

Collaboration

Negotiation

Problem-solving

Communication

Job description

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.

• Manage and appraise funding applications from developers and local authorities, ensuring alignment with WMCA's strategic priorities and investment criteria
• Lead the preparation of investment cases by undertaking technical due diligence, reviewing development appraisals and assessing risk and deliverability
• Provide clear, evidence-based recommendations to internal boards, including the WMCA Investment Board, to ensure the safeguarding of public funds
• Act as a central contact for key partners such as local authorities, developers, investors and agents, supporting projects from concept through to delivery
• Commission and manage external advisors including legal, valuation, technical and planning consultants
• Identify opportunities to de-risk sites, such as addressing planning constraints, infrastructure needs or remediation issues, and advise on strategies to accelerate development
• Represent WMCA in project steering groups and senior stakeholder meetings, building strong delivery partnerships across the region
• Champion WMCA's role in unlocking housing growth and regeneration, and contribute 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
• 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.

How to apply.

Applying for a role with WMCA is straight forward. Follow these steps to get started.

1. Create your Careers Account. Register with your name, email address, and a password.
2. Build your Profile.Upload your CV to help populate your career and education details.
3. Write your Supporting Statement.Make sure to address each of the required essential criteria.
4. Submit your application.Do one final check and once complete, click submit.

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 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 ( [e-mail] ).

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).
• 28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more), giving you have ample time to relax.
• ethical saving options and healthcare plans.
• Discounted gym membership.
• 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.

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.

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 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).