Managing Director, Regional Project Accelerator

National Wealth Fund; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

National Wealth Fund is seeking a transformative Managing Director to lead the Regional Project Accelerator, overseeing lending, advisory and strategic partnerships for local authority clients. The role shapes strategy, builds key government relationships and drives growth across transport, clean energy and place-based regeneration.

You will lead a 30+ person Leeds-based team in a hybrid setting, acting as a senior ambassador and delivering ambitious outcomes for public and private sector

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in finance, advisory, investment, banking or related field.
• Strong understanding of advisory, investment and delivery.
• Experience with local authorities or public sector projects.
• Strategic leadership with ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to build senior-level relationships and partnerships.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen to shape complex solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead Market Engagement & Strategic Relationships: act as a prominent external ambassador for the Fund and build relationships with local government, public finance institutions, government departments, investors, developers, banks and industry stakeholders.
• Lead RPA Strategy and the Fund’s Place-based Investment Priority: develop and deliver strategy, objectives and plans for the Regional Project Accelerator.
• Originate and Oversee Opportunities: oversee the pipeline of lending and advisory opportunities across transport infrastructure, clean energy and place-based regeneration.
• Develop Commercial and Financing Solutions: provide leadership on complex opportunities and delivery solutions to unlock investment and accelerate project delivery.
• Partner on Government Priorities: work with government departments and public sector partners to address market challenges and maximise impact.
• Lead and Mentor: lead the RPA team of 30+ in Leeds and onsite with strategic partners, fostering a high-performing, inclusive culture.
• Provide Senior Leadership: represent the Fund at Executive and Board-level forums and deliver successful client outcomes.

Job description

Shape the Future with the National Wealth Fund

At the National Wealth Fund, our mission is to swiftly and effectively mobilise trusted sector insights and investment expertise to unlock billions in private finance for projects across the United Kingdom. Providing £27.8bn of capital and an expanded mandate, we are ready to help the market invest with confidence, continue to drive forward the Government's growth ambitions.

We are looking for skilled and results oriented individuals who are motivated to help us build the National Wealth Fund into an industry-leading institution.

Job Purpose

Location

Hybrid working with a minimum of 3 days per week in the Leeds office.

Reporting to

Chief Investment Officer

Contract

Permanent, Full-Time

Role Purpose

The Managing Director is responsible for leading the National Wealth Fund's Regional Project Accelerator, overseeing lending, advisory and strategic partnership activities for local authority clients. The role involves setting strategy, building and maintaining senior client and government relationships, originating opportunities and providing leadership across a portfolio of activity spanning transport infrastructure, clean energy and place-based regeneration. The role holder will be a prominent leadership figure within the Fund and act as a senior ambassador for the National Wealth Fund.

Core Role Accountabilities

• Lead Market Engagement & Strategic Relationships: Act as a prominent external ambassador for the National Wealth Fund, building and maintaining influential relationships and collaborating with senior leaders across local government, public finance institutions (PuFIns), government departments, investors, developers, banks and industry stakeholders to enhance the Fund's profile, originate opportunities and maximise impact.
• Lead RPA Strategy and the Fund’s Place-based Investment Priority: Partner with Executive colleagues to develop and deliver the strategy, objectives and business plans for the Regional Project Accelerator, ensuring lending, advisory and strategic partnership activities are aligned to the Fund's mandate, government priorities and growth ambitions.
• Originate and Oversee Opportunities: Oversee the development of a sustainable pipeline of lending and advisory opportunities across transport infrastructure, clean energy and place-based regeneration. Provide strategic direction on the prioritisation, development and delivery of opportunities through the Fund’s Strategic Partnerships and the wider local authority portfolio.
• Develop Commercial and Financing Solutions: Provide leadership on complex opportunities, supporting the development of innovative commercial, financial and delivery solutions that unlock investment, accelerate project delivery and support economic growth.
• Partner on Government Priorities: Using regional knowledge and experience, work closely with government departments and public sector partners to address market challenges, support policy objectives and maximise the impact of the Fund's investment and advisory activities.
• Lead and Mentor: Lead the RPA team of 30+ based in Leeds and on-site with strategic partners. Inspire and motivate this high-performing team by leading through example. Share expertise, support professional development and cultivate an inclusive and collaborative culture.
• Provide Senior Leadership: Work collaboratively across the Fund to deliver successful client outcomes and support strategic objectives. Represent the Fund at Executive Committee, Investment Committee and Board-level forums as required.

Knowledge, Skill & Experience Requirements

• Career Experience: Extensive experience in finance, advisory, investment, banking, consultancy or a related field, with significant exposure to local government and wider public sector clients.
• Sector Knowledge: Strong understanding of advisory, investment and delivery, with experience in one or more of transport infrastructure, clean energy or place-based regeneration.
• Local Government Expertise: Demonstrable experience of working with local authorities, combined authorities, government departments or other public sector organisations on investment, financing, infrastructure or economic growth initiatives.
• Strategic Leadership: Wide-ranging leadership experience with a proven ability to lead high-performing, multidisciplinary teams and develop talent.
• Client Relationship Management & Network Building: Significant experience building and maintaining senior-level relationships across public and private sector organisations, with the credibility to influence decision-making, develop long-term partnerships and cultivate a strong market network.
• Commercial and Financial Acumen: Strong commercial and financial expertise, with the ability to shape solutions, evaluate opportunities and provide strategic direction on complex infrastructure and investment challenges.
• Confidence and Credibility: Ability to act with a high level of confidence, maturity and credibility, positively influencing outcomes and representing the Fund effectively at senior levels.
• Communication Skills: An exceptional communicator, able to influence senior stakeholders, articulate complex issues clearly, and contribute positively to the Fund’s culture.
• Highly Motivated: Driven, self-starting and strategic in approach, with the judgement, diplomacy and collaborative mindset to operate effectively in a complex and evolving environment.

A career with us offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact and work on cutting-edge technologies that will drive the UK’s future. We value diversity in our people and inclusion is at the heart of what we do.

We offer competitive benefits and unique learning opportunities from combining both private and public sector skills and experience. Please note, referencing and background checks are carried out for all roles here at the National Wealth Fund.