Head of Depot Delivery

This is a once in a generation opportunity to shape public transport in the West Midlands. For the first time in over 40 years, the region is taking back control of its bus network through bus franchising – the biggest transformation to public transport since deregulation. Transport for West Midlands is at the heart of this change, backed by significant investment and a clear mandate to deliver real improvements for residents, communities and businesses. We are now looking for a Head of Depot Delivery to lead one of the most critical programmes underpinning franchising success.

You will own and deliver the strategy for bus depots across the region, overseeing a major capital programme of almost £60m to acquire, develop and modernise depot infrastructure that is safe, operationally ready and future proofed – including enabling fleet electrification. This is a senior, high profile role with genuine impact: shaping long term public assets, leading complex programmes at pace, and ensuring continuity of services as we transition to franchised operations. If you thrive on complex delivery, commercial leadership and creating lasting regional impact, this role offers a scale and significance rarely available. Please note, this is a 2 year FTC.

What you will be doing:

• Own the bus depot strategy to enable the immediate delivery of bus franchising and optimisation for the future.
• Lead the acquisition of bus depots alongside senior colleagues, ensuring efficiency and value for money.
• Act as Senior Responsible Owner and programme sponsor for major depot programmes, including new Depot development, delivering to agreed scope, cost, quality and timescales.
• Sponsor depot improvement and remedy works to ensure depots are safe, efficient and fit for franchised operations.
• Work closely with fleet strategy leads to ensure depot development supports the delivery of fleet electrification.
• Ensure all depots are fully operationally capable, with appropriate engineering facilities, MOT bays, training schools, paint shops, fuelling and electrification infrastructure.
• Establish and own lease back arrangements, maintenance regimes and performance frameworks for depots used by franchised operators.
• Define and oversee KPIs, monitoring and reporting to ensure depots meet safety, environmental, operational and efficiency standards.

What's essential:

• Significant experience operating at a senior leadership level with accountability for complex property or infrastructure portfolios, including acquisition, development and improvement of operational assets.
• Proven experience acting as Senior Responsible Owner or programme sponsor for large scale capital programmes, with accountability for delivery to time, cost, quality and outcomes.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering positive commercial outcomes, including developing and implementing commercial strategies and identifying opportunities that drive value, efficiency and/or revenue growth.
• Substantial experience of leading property maintenance, improvement and remedy programmes, ensuring assets are safe, compliant and fit for operational use.
• Experience of developing property and infrastructure solutions to support operational delivery, ideally within transport, logistics, utilities or similarly complex service environments.
• Excellent communicator, able to clearly articulate complex technical, commercial and operational issues to senior leaders, elected members and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively across organisational boundaries, leading matrix teams and multi disciplinary partners to deliver shared outcomes.
• Commercially focused and outcomes driven, anticipating risks and opportunities and responding decisively to enable delivery.
• Adaptable and resilient, with the capability to lead and operate effectively at a senior level within a politically led organisation.
• Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent senior level experience in a relevant field.

Location: The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3SD, with at least 2-3 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.
• Local Government Pension Scheme – one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK.
• Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme 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 and mortgage 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 Costco membership through the WMCA.
• Boundless unlocks unlimited entry to top‑rated UK attractions and loads of extra benefits and discounts.
• Eye Care Scheme, offering a free eye test and a financial contribution towards your glasses.

Reasonable adjustments: If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team (careers@wmca.org.uk).

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).