Programme Investment Appraiser

West Midlands Combined Authority; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

28 days annual leave

EV car benefit

Healthcare plans

Disounted gym membership

Costco membership

Job summary

West Midlands Combined Authority is seeking an experienced investment appraisal professional to influence multi-million-pound regional projects. You will lead appraisals, draft concise business-case summaries, and provide evidence-based recommendations to senior decision-makers.

The role requires robust analytical skills, strong stakeholder engagement, and the ability to manage multiple workstreams in a hybrid office setting in Birmingham.

Qualifications

• Experience in a project/PMO environment.
• Ability to communicate and influence across levels.
• Excellent verbal and written communication with concise briefing skills.

Responsibilities

• Appraise and assess WMCA Investment Programme projects.
• Plan workload to ensure timely business case appraisals.
• Support appraisal and technical assessment of projects and lead where needed.
• Coordinate with internal/external experts for independent critique.
• Prepare high-level summaries and present recommendations to boards.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder influence

Verbal communication

Written communication

Analytical thinking

Teamwork

Tools

GOV Green Book

Job description

Shape the Future of Major Investments!

Join us in a pivotal role where your expertise will influence multi-million-pound projects across the region. As part of our Programme Investment Appraisal team, you'll play a critical part in assessing and challenging Business Cases for major investment initiatives, ensuring they align with WMCA's strategic priorities and deliver real value for our communities.

You’ll lead independent appraisals, craft high-level summaries, and provide clear, evidence-based recommendations to our Decision-makers, including Executive Directors and Investment / WMCA Board. Your work will give confidence that projects are commercially viable, well-managed, and capable of delivering on time, within budget, and to the highest standards. If you thrive on strategic thinking, rigorous analysis, and making decisions that matter, this is your chance to make a lasting impact.

Please note that this is a 12 month fixed term contract and we expect to hold interviews W/C 19th and W/C 26th October 2026.

What you will be doing.

• Appraise and assess projects within the WMCA Investment Programme, producing reports which are consistent with the Government's Green Book and Five Business Case model.
• Utilising the Project Register and other intelligence regarding the likely timing of project Business Cases; Plan workload in order that Business Case appraisals can be undertaken and presented to Investment Panel / Board promptly to include processing of the project and its delivery timetable.
• Support the appraisal and technical assessment of non-delegated projects and, lead on the appraisal and assessment of projects.
• Secure internal and external expertise to provide an independent critique of the Business Case submission e.g. input from the Office for Data Analytics to review the strategic and economic Business Cases.
• Contribute to producing a high-level summary of each project Business Case assessing concerns and issues, liaising with project owners to clarify any issues.
• Fully service Investment Panel and Investment Board meetings including recording decisions and supporting the presentation of Business Case summaries, reviews and recommendations to WMCA's Investment Panel and Investment Board.
• Liaise with project owners and legal team to ensure that any conditions placed on projects at investment decision stage are reflected in the legal agreements for WMCA funding and, if applicable, the Monitoring and Evaluation Plans for those projects.
• Work with multiple teams to provide advice and guidance on the development of robust and compliant Business Cases for WMCA investments, whilst maintaining the ability to independently review completed Business Cases.

What's essential.

• Experience of working within a project/PMO environment.
• Ability to communicate and support/ influence across all levels of roles within WMCA and bring issues to resolution.
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills and ability to deliver briefings and presentations.
• Excellent written and analytical skills with an ability to succinctly summarise complex information.
• Customer and results oriented.
• Self-motivated and ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to plan and co-ordinate multiple activities simultaneously, managing time and resource.

Location.

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

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).
• Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributionscheme 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,andmortgage 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 Costcomembership through the WMCA.
• Boundlessunlocks unlimited entry to top-rated UK attractions and loads of extra benefits and discounts.
• EyeCare Scheme,offering a free eye test and a financial contribution towards your glasses.

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.

Our Values and Behaviours.

Fostering an environment where people feel valued, included, supported, and proud to contribute to our region is important to us at the WMCA. Our behaviours are more than statements; they guide how we work, make decisions, and treat one another - they set the standards we hold ourselves to and the experience we want others to have.

• 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).