Senior Development Manager

If you are an advocate for public transport and possess extensive experience in developing transport scheme business cases, then this is a fantastic opportunity to join the Development and Integration Team at Transport for West Midlands.  
Due to an internal promotion, we are looking for a Senior Development Manager to develop sustainable transport projects from inception through to funding approval. Working in close collaboration with local authorities, bus operators, our internal bus team, consultants, and our newly established delivery directorate, you will play a pivotal role in advancing projects in line with the West Midlands’ Local Transport Plan. Your responsibility will be to drive these initiatives forward, ensuring their successful implementation and alignment with our broader objectives.
With funding exceeding £1 billion secured through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), this role will play a crucial part in shaping transport projects, ensuring that they are developed and designed in an integrated way that benefits the travelling public. Working on ambitious projects including cross city bus, multi-modal schemes, and the development of future bus priority and active travel schemes, you’ll be instrumental in securing the necessary funding approvals for Transport for West Midlands (TfWM). Your efforts will pave the way for significant advancements in sustainable transport that will impact the people of the West Midlands in a positive way.
This influential role requires someone who is self-motivated with excellent stakeholder management skills and a result driven mindset.
What will you be doing?

• Manage the development of major transport schemes to ensure funding requirements are understood and secured for delivery.
• Oversee transport scheme design activities.
• Develop, maintain and take business cases through to approval for the schemes.
• Ensure governance requirements are met including finance and active travel reviews.
• Engage with the development of all TfWM schemes (such as rail, Midland Metro, Cycling and Park & Ride schemes) to ensure effective coordination within the overall Programme.
• Act as a key point of contact with consultants, contractors, Local Authority Officers, Cabinet Members and politicians.
• Ensure that robust stakeholder engagement plans are developed and implemented.
• Ensure that cost and schedule risk and opportunities are proactively identified, managed, and communicated.
• Ensure that budget and financial administration, monitoring, and reporting is of the highest standard.
• Provide accurate and up to date monthly progress reports.

About you.

• Proven experience of working at a senior level in the transport sector
• Experience of Project and Programme Management best practice
• Experience of working with senior officers from Local Highways and Planning Authorities, and other stakeholder bodies
• Experience of working at a strategic level, with the ability to deal with detailed, tactical issues.
• Experience of managing a team
• Experience of developing business cases to appropriate standards
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities

How to apply. On clicking ‘apply for this job’, you will first be prompted to create an account. You will have the opportunity to upload a CV, which will be used to auto-populate your profile. Please note, we do not see your CV once you have applied. Our shortlisting decisions are based on what you tell us in your profile - and so it is important to format your profile so that it really stands out. Make sure to include your employment history and include any essential education and qualifications. You will be asked to provide a supporting statement. If you already have one that you have prepared earlier, you can simply copy and paste this into the application form. 
Applicants will need to evidence that they have the legal right to work in the UK.  If we make an offer of employment, we will need to check that you are eligible to work in the UK before you start work. 
Salary and benefits.We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new appointments 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.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes a Local Government Pension Scheme, 28 days of paid annual leave, Cycle to Work Scheme, and discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers. For more details, please visit the benefits page on our careers site.
Hybrid working, location and working pattern.We believe hybrid working is the best way for our organisation to fulfil our commitment to a modern, agile workplace while continuing to provide a great service to our customers. Hybrid working means having flexibility between working in the office and at home on agreed days, where a role allows. This is agreed between an employee and their line manager, considering the business, team, and employee needs. 
The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane. It is expected that you can split your time between the office and working remotely, with a minimum of 2 days a week spent in the office. 
Creating an inclusive workplace.Our vision is to create a better connected, more prosperous, fairer, greener, and healthier region. We aim to achieve this vision by living our values, which include being a partnership organisation, valuing and respecting our people, fostering a can-do attitude, and encouraging innovation. We are dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace that reflects the communities of the West Midlands region. WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as "Leaders in Diversity," and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We are also a Disability Confident Employer, committed to interviewing all applicants with disabilities who meet the essential role criteria. WMCA believes that building a team with varied backgrounds and experiences will benefit us as an employer and enhance our work.
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. If your values align with ours and you are dedicated to working towards a future that we can all be proud of, we would love to hear from you.
Reasonable adjustments.If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team (careers@wmca.org.uk). We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.
Thank you for considering joining our team at WMCA. We look forward to receiving your application and the opportunity to work together towards our shared goals.

Attached documents
Role Profile - Senior Development Manager.pdf