Place Specialist Lead

Job summary

Ready for Your Next Big Career Move? We’re looking for a strategic, influential and delivery-focused Place Specialist Lead to join the West Midlands Growth Company. If you’re driven by economic impact, skilled in managing complex stakeholder environments, and energised by leading high-performing teams, this is a rare opportunity to shape regional investment activity at a senior level. This role blends hands-on programme leadership with strategic team management — perfect for someone who thrives in a “doing while leading” environment and wants to help accelerate growth across one of the UK’s most important regions. Who are we? The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) is the region’s economic development delivery organisation. From April 2026, we will lead the delivery of regionally commissioned economic development activity aligned to the West Midlands Growth Plan, working closely with the West Midlands Combined Authority and local authority partners. We are building a sharper, business-focused organisation that attracts investment, supports high-growth companies, and drives measurable economic and place-based impact. If you want your work to directly influence how investment and growth are delivered across the region, this is your opportunity. The Role As our new Place Specialist Lead, you will serve as both a senior practitioner and the strategic manager of a team of seven Place Specialists. You’ll act as a high-level broker between WMGC and a designated Local Authority, ensuring local assets, priorities and opportunities are fully reflected in the regional investment narrative. Alongside leading the team, you will take personal ownership of key investment projects, drive programme delivery, and ensure a consistent approach to stakeholder management, reporting and pipeline progression across the West Midlands. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-moving, public-private landscape and who can combine strategic oversight with proactive, hands-on delivery. What You’ll Be Doing Team Leadership & Regional Management Lead, mentor and develop a team of seven Place Specialists. Ensure consistent, high-quality reporting, pipeline integrity and stakeholder engagement across all Local Authority areas. Oversee the collaborative “peer cover” model to maintain operational continuity. Strategic Place Programme Management Act as programme owner for place-focused investment promotion programmes. Manage stakeholder relationships with WMCA, Local Authorities and relevant partners. Oversee procurement, delivery and reporting to ensure contractual KPIs are met. Investment Project Management & Conversion Lead the closure of inward investment projects and support capital investment projects. Progress pipeline opportunities from qualification to completion. Scope and collate local property, socio-economic and insight data to strengthen investment cases. Strategic Brokerage & Cross-Functional Integration Serve as the senior operational link between WMGC and Local Authority leads. Ensure seamless collaboration between Place Specialists and wider WMGC functions (Capital Attraction, Business Support, Talent, Visitor Economy and more). Support collaboration between Strategic Account Management teams and Local Authorities. Aggregated Reporting & Pipeline Integrity Lead the consolidation of multi-functional regional performance reporting for Local Authority stakeholders. Maintain accuracy, governance and completeness of the regional investment pipeline. What You’ll Bring Essential Proven leadership experience within economic development, investment or commercial environments. Strong programme management capability with a track record of delivering multi-stakeholder programmes. Exceptional stakeholder management and political navigation skills. A proactive “doer” mindset with experience converting complex investment enquiries into successful outcomes. Desirable Deep understanding of the West Midlands’ political, economic and place-based landscape. Experience managing public-sector contracts and meeting audit or performance requirements. Why You’ll Love Working Here 26 days holiday Company pension scheme including life assurance Hybrid working with 2 days in the office Cycle to Work scheme Simple Health employee membership Opportunity to shape strategic investment outcomes across the West Midlands Equal Opportunities Statement We’re an equal opportunities employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.