Senior Technical Manager – Housing Property and Regeneration - Grants in Birmingham

We have an exceptional opportunity for a Senior Technical Manager to join our Housing, Property and Regeneration team at the WMCA. This is a high-profile role that will help shape the future of housing-led development across the West Midlands, ensuring investment is directed towards the schemes with the greatest potential to deliver homes, regeneration and long-term impact for our communities.

Working at the forefront of regional growth and investment, you will lead the technical and commercial appraisal of development opportunities progressing through the WMCA's Pre Programme Pipeline. From early-stage concepts through to development-ready schemes, you will play a critical role in assessing viability, delivery confidence, funding requirements and strategic fit before projects enter formal grant-funded programmes. With competition for public investment continuing to grow, this role is central to ensuring that funding is targeted effectively and responsibly.

You will apply commercial thinking, development expertise and sound professional judgement to determine which schemes are capable of being delivered successfully, where public intervention is required, and how projects can be strengthened to maximise value for money and minimise risk. You will work closely with Local Authorities, Homes England, developers and internal WMCA teams, acting as a trusted adviser and key regional enabler.

Whether reviewing development appraisals, advising on grant structuring, challenging delivery assumptions or supporting investment decisions, you will help create a robust and investable development pipeline that supports the region’s ambitions for housing growth and regeneration.

What you will be doing:

• Leading on the rigorous appraisal and progression of housing and regeneration schemes through the WMCA's Pre Programme Pipeline.
• Assessing scheme viability, delivery risk, funding requirements and commercial feasibility.
• Providing expert advice on grant structuring, development risk and public sector intervention.
• Supporting Local Authorities and partners to strengthen and refine development proposals.
• Presenting projects and recommendations to investment and governance forums, across the region.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across Finance, Legal, Commercial & Investment and Delivery teams.
• Acting as a key point of contact between WMCA, Homes England, Local Authorities and wider public sector partners.
• Monitoring market conditions and adapting recommendations in response to changing commercial realities.
• Managing external consultants and feasibility work where required.
• Ensuring strong governance, due diligence, audit controls and risk management across projects.
• Supporting the delivery of high-quality housing and regeneration outcomes across the West Midlands.

What we are looking for:

• We are seeking an experienced and commercially astute development professional with strong expertise in residential and mixed-use real estate, funding interventions and development appraisals.
• Significant experience within residential and commercial real estate markets.
• Extensive experience structuring and appraising complex funding interventions including grants, loans or equity.
• Strong understanding of development viability, risk management and commercial appraisal.
• Experience developing business cases, report writing and presenting recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across organisations and with partners of varying seniority.
• Strong understanding of public sector funding and development delivery.
• Confidence to challenge constructively and support better project outcomes.
• Experience managing complex projects within challenging timescales.
• Relevant degree alongside substantial professional experience in both real estate and finance sectors preferably.
• Professional membership of RICS and/or relevant experience in the Real Estate funding sector.

Location: The role is based at Summer Lane with at least two days a week spent in the office.

Benefits:

• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
• 28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more) plus statutory days.
• EV car benefit scheme.
• Healthcare plans.
• Discounted gym membership, will writing and mortgage advice.
• Option to buy a bicycle, including e-bikes and adapted pedal cycles, at a discounted rate.
• Three 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.
• Access to Boundless, unlocking unlimited entry to top-rated UK attractions and extra benefits and discounts.
• Eye Care Scheme, offering a free eye test and a financial contribution towards your glasses.

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).