Sector Lead

West of England Combined Authorities; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Volunteer leave: 2 days per year

Local Government Pension Scheme

Hybrid working: 2–3 days in office

Reduced bus fare

Job summary

West of England Combined Authorities is seeking four Sector Leads for a 9‑month secondment within the Partnerships Team. You will remain employed by your current organisation, with costs charged to WECA, and work to shape regional strategic partnerships across advanced manufacturing, digital & technology, clean energy, and everyday economy.

The role requires employer support, on‑site attendance in Bristol 2–3 days a week and signing of the secondment agreement with WECA.

Qualifications

• Must have support of current employer to undertake the secondment.
• Prepared to attend on-site at the Bristol office 2–3 days a week.
• Applicants will disclose current salary and benefits during assessment.
• Applicants and their employer and WECA must sign the secondment agreement.

Responsibilities

• Remain employed by your current organisation at your current rate of remuneration; costs charged to WECA for the period of the secondment (Grade 12: £58,843 to £64,337).
• Continue to act as ambassador for your sector while within the Combined Authority.
• Gain first‑hand experience of regional strategy, economic development, policy and programme delivery.
• Build a broader professional network across public, private, education and third‑sector organisations.
• Return to your organisation with enhanced leadership, partnership and strategic delivery experience.

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - 70 Redcliff Street, Bristol

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) is seeking to appoint x4 Sector Leads on a fixed-term secondment opportunity within our Partnerships Team.

This is a unique opportunity for professionals working in one of the West of England’s priority growth sectors to spend a defined period contributing to regional economic development, partnership working and strategic delivery at a regional level. The opportunity is designed to bring sector expertise into the Combined Authority while providing successful applicants with valuable experience of regional leadership, public policy and place-based economic growth.

Applicants must have the support of their current employer to undertake the secondment and remain employed by their home organisation throughout the secondment period.

Working at the heart of a fast-growing regional economy, you will help shape strategic partnerships, influence regional priorities and support collaborative activity that drives economic growth, innovation, investment and opportunity across the West of England.

The successful candidate will have experience of and be aligned to one of four strategic sectors:

• Advanced Manufacturing– strengthen capabilities in aerospace, defence, robotics, space, and advanced engineering technologies.
• Digital & Technologies – one of the fastest-growing sectors in the region, delivering substantial economic value through digital innovation, data, software, emerging technologies, and transformation programmes.
• Clean Energy Industries – a rapidly expanding sector with strong employment growth since 2015, driven by the transition to net zero, renewable technologies, sustainable infrastructure, and green investment.
• Everyday Economy– The role will support growth and resilience, strengthening the services, businesses, and workforce that underpin daily life and thriving communities across the West of England.

About This Secondment Opportunity

This role is being offered as a secondment for a period of 9 months (subject to agreement between the Combined Authority and the successful applicant’s employer).

The secondment has been designed to strengthen collaboration between the Combined Authority and key sectors across the region, bringing current industry knowledge, insight and experience into the development and delivery of regional priorities.

Throughout the secondment, you will:

• Remain employed by your existing organisation at your current rate of remuneration. These costs will be charged to the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority for the period of the secondment and should be estimated to be at a cost of Grade 12 (£58,843 to £64,337), which is consistent with where the role has been evaluated.
• Continue to act as an ambassador for your sector while working within the Combined Authority.
• Gain first‑hand experience of regional strategy, economic development, policy and programme delivery.
• Build a broader professional network across public, private, education and third‑sector organisations.
• Return to your organisation with enhanced leadership, partnership and strategic delivery experience.

Applications are welcomed from individuals working in organisations that can support a temporary release through a formal secondment arrangement.

Please note we will also consider part time applications for these roles, please specify in your application if this is the case.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This secondment offers a rare opportunity to step beyond organisational boundaries and help shape the future of one of the UK’s most dynamic regional economies.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Influence regional strategy and investment decisions.
• Work alongside senior leaders from industry, government, academia and the wider public sector.
• Develop your strategic leadership and partnership-building capabilities.
• Gain experience operating within a complex political and stakeholder environment.
• Bring fresh insight and expertise into regional decision‑making.
• Create lasting impact for businesses, communities and residents across the West of England.

This is an excellent development opportunity for individuals looking to broaden their experience while remaining connected to their home organisation and sector.

The secondment opportunities are subject to the following:

• Applicants must have agreement from their current employer before applying for the role. Applicants must be prepared to attend on site at the Bristol office two‑three days a week.
• Applicants will need to disclose their current salary and benefits as part of the assessment.
• Applicants along with their employer and the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WECA) must sign the secondment agreement for the secondment to take effect.

There’s more role-related formation is in the job description, but if you have any questions for the recruitment team you can contact us on [e-mail] .

Ifyou’dlike to have an informal conversation about this opportunitywith the manager who’s hiring, you can contact Jeanette Bain-Burnett, Head of Partnership Development on [e-mail] Please ensure when you are emailing in, put ‘Industry Secondment – Sector Lead’ in the email subject.

The closing date for this role is midnight onSunday 8th November 2026.

The interviews are planned to be heldw/c 16th and 23rd November at our offices at 70 Redcliff St, Bristol BS1 6AL, but please note the date may change.

About The Company

Our offer

We are based ina new bright and airy office, with all the latest technology, close to Bristol Temple Meads Train Station.

Alongside the opportunity to make a real differenceto the people who visit, live and work in the West of England, we offer an excellent benefits package including:

• 26 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years continuous service. There is also the option to increase your annual leave with our annual leave purchase scheme.
• 2 days ofpaid leave each year to volunteer
• Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).
• Flexible, family friendly and hybrid working options to ensure you achieve the best work/life balance and career goals. We followa hybrid working model with typically 2 or 3 days in the office each week
• Reduced bus fare travel across the West of England

We believe in fostering a culture of continuous learning and development, empowering you to thrive in your career. We prioritise your growth and success byprovidinga diverse range of learning and development opportunities. Our goal is to keep you motivated, equipped with essential skills, and confident in delivering excellent services.

The salary for this role is £58,843- £64,337. This is the full-time equivalent salary, and will be pro-rata for part-time . We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new appointments for external candidates typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, where higher skill levels or experience are applicable, 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.

Fair and Inclusive Recruitment

We want everyone to have a fair opportunity to work with us. We are committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Our recruitment processes are designed to be fair, accessible and free from unlawful discrimination, in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Reasonable Adjustments If you have an accessibility need, disability, condition or need any additional support that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process (for example, you might need to submit your application in a different format), please get in touch with our Resourcing Team at [e-mail] . We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.

Reasonable Adjustments If you have an accessibility need, disability, condition or need any additional support that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process (for example, you might need to submit your application in a different format), please get in touch with our Resourcing Team at [e-mail] . We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We want to understand the real person behind each application. While we recognise that some applicants may use AI tools, these should support your writing rather than replace your own voice. AI can be a helpful aid, but your personal insight and individuality are what matter most to us.

Closing dates Our roles close at midnight on the closing date. Please note this vacancy may close early or be extended depending on the number of applications so please don’t wait to apply.If you have started your application, we’ll give you notice of the new closing date by email.

From a recruitment agency?

We’re not engaging with agencies for this role. Any CVs received from agencies will be considered as unsolicited and the property of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, with no obligation to pay agency fees.