Head of Investments

Wollborg Michelson Personnel Service Inc; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Healthcare plans

28 days paid annual leave

EV car benefit scheme

Discounted gym membership

Job summary

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) seeks a senior investment leader to head a specialist deals team. You will originate, appraise, structure, negotiate and oversee complex investments across development, housing, regeneration and real estate infrastructure.

This role shapes funds deployment and public-private initiatives in the West Midlands. You will manage transaction delivery, governance reporting and senior stakeholder engagement while developing investment capability and standards

Qualifications

• Significant senior-level experience across commercial and mixed-use development, regeneration, infrastructure or housing investment.
• Expertise in investment appraisal, financial modelling, due diligence, underwriting, commercial negotiation and transaction execution.
• Experience structuring blended funding packages using debt, mezzanine finance, equity, joint ventures, grant and co-investment.
• A strong understanding of development and investment risk and how risk is reflected in a project’s financial structure.
• Experience preparing and presenting investment recommendations or business cases to senior boards or governance groups.
• Experience overseeing live investments or portfolios with performance monitoring and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead a dedicated investment deal team and be accountable for pipeline quality and transaction delivery.
• Build a prioritised pipeline of opportunities aligned with regional priorities.
• Lead end-to-end transactions from pipeline to completion and ongoing oversight.
• Structure blended funding solutions including debt, mezzanine, equity, grant and co-investment.
• Oversee financial modelling, due diligence, sensitivity analysis and risk assessment.
• Prepare evidence-based investment recommendations for senior decision-makers.
• Negotiate with developers, investors, lenders and partners balancing priorities.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration across Strategy, Finance, Legal, Governance and PMO.

Skills

Investment appraisal

Financial modelling

Due diligence

Commercial negotiation

Portfolio management

Governance reporting

Stakeholder management

Education

Finance / economics / real estate degree

MRICS / ACA / ACCA / CFA / CIMA (advantageous)

Tools

Excel

Financial analysis tools

Job description

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA),

This is a significant opportunity to lead a specialist investment deal team within the West Midlands Combined Authority’s new in-house investment function. You will originate, appraise, structure, negotiate, execute and oversee complex investment transactions across commercial and mixed-use development, housing, regeneration and real estate infrastructure.

You will help deploy significant new devolved funding alongside our wider investment portfolio, shaping commercially robust solutions that deliver public value and lasting impact across the West Midlands. Working at the intersection of public and private capital, you will lead transactions from initial opportunity through to completion and ongoing oversight.

What You Will Be Doing.

• Lead a dedicated investment deal team, with accountability for pipeline quality, transaction delivery, risk escalation and the performance of assigned live investments.
• Build and deliver a prioritised pipeline of opportunities aligned with the region’s economic, housing, regeneration and growth priorities.
• Lead transactions end to end, from pipeline identification and appraisal through to structuring, negotiation, execution, monitoring and intervention.
• Structure blended funding solutions that may include senior debt, mezzanine finance, equity, grant and public or private-sector co-investment.
• Oversee financial modelling, due diligence, sensitivity analysis, commercial appraisal and risk assessment.
• Prepare clear, evidence-based investment recommendations and provide senior commercial advice to decision-makers and governance forums.
• Negotiate with developers, investors, borrowers, lenders and delivery partners, balancing commercial, legal, financial and strategic priorities.
• Lead matrix working across Strategy, Finance, Legal, Governance, PMO, delivery teams and external advisers.
• Manage, coach and develop Senior Manager Investments and Manager – Investments colleagues, setting clear professional and delivery standards.
• Deputise for the Director of Investments when required and contribute to the development of WMCA’s investment capability, governance and operating approach.

What’s Essential.

• Significant senior-level experience across commercial and mixed-use development, regeneration, infrastructure or housing investment.
• Expertise in investment appraisal, financial modelling, due diligence, underwriting, commercial negotiation and transaction execution.
• Experience structuring blended funding packages using debt, mezzanine finance, equity, joint ventures, grant and co-investment.
• A strong understanding of development and investment risk, including how risk is reflected within a project’s financial structure and mitigated through appropriate terms.
• Experience preparing and presenting investment recommendations, business cases or decision papers to senior boards, committees or governance groups.
• Experience overseeing live investments or portfolios, including performance monitoring, risk management, intervention planning and senior reporting.
• Proven leadership of specialist professional teams, including setting standards, quality assuring outputs and building capability.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the credibility to influence across public and private-sector partners.
• A degree or equivalent qualification in finance, economics, real estate, business, accounting or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• A professional qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CFA, CIMA or MRICS would be advantageous, as would experience of public-sector funding, devolved investment programmes, attracting third-party capital or syndicating investments.

Location.

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3SD with at least 2 days a week spent in the office.

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

• 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).

Attached documents.

JD Head of Investments.docx