Managing Director, Regional Project Accelerator

70 National Wealth Fund Limited; Leeds; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

National Wealth Fund in the UK seeks a Managing Director to lead the Regional Project Accelerator in Leeds. The role drives strategy, builds senior client and government relationships and oversees lending, advisory and partnerships across transport infrastructure, clean energy and regeneration.

The role requires extensive leadership experience, a strong public sector network and the ability to originate and mature opportunities. Hybrid work with Leeds-based office presence is expected.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in finance, advisory, investment, or related fields with public sector exposure.
• Strong understanding of transport infrastructure, clean energy or place-based regeneration.
• Experience working with local authorities and government departments on investment and infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Lead Market Engagement & Strategic Relationships with senior leaders across local government and public sector.
• Lead RPA Strategy and the Fund’s Place-based Investment Priority with executives.
• Originate and oversee a sustainable pipeline of lending and advisory opportunities.
• Provide strategic direction on prioritisation, development and delivery of opportunities via Partnerships and local authority portfolio.
• Develop commercial and financing solutions to unlock investment and accelerate delivery.
• Collaborate with government bodies to align with policy objectives and maximize impact.
• Lead and mentor a 30+ Leeds-based RPA team, fostering an inclusive culture.
• Represent the Fund at senior-level forums and drive successful client outcomes.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Relationship management

Public sector experience

Financial acumen

Team leadership

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

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.

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

Deadline to Apply: 14th September 2026.

Reporting to: Chief Investment Officer

Contract: Permanent, Full-Time

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.

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.

The National Wealth Fund encourages a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified people.

Inclusion is at the heart of what the Fund does.

Diversity in the Fund's people and their ideas will be vital to the National Wealth Fund's success.

Appointments will be made on merit, with regard to maintaining the breadth of experience and expertise required and reflecting diversity in the broadest sense, to embrace different perspectives, characteristics and experience, as well as being broadly representative of the nations and regions of the UK.

Our roles are open to full-time, part-time or job-share applicants. Job-share applicants should supply individual CVs and a joint cover letter submitted with both applications.

As part of our standard hiring process, please be informed that a background check will be conducted for successful candidates in accordance with our company policy and industry best practices.

Please note, that successful candidates will be offered a salary that is appropriate to their relevant experience and performance during the selection process.