Head of Investments

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

• 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.

You will be a commercially minded senior investment professional with substantial experience of real estate development finance and a strong track record of originating, structuring, negotiating and delivering complex transactions. You will combine rigorous commercial judgement with the ability to operate effectively in a high-profile, partnership-led environment.

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• 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…