Delivery Manager - Creative Places Growth Fund

At the West Midlands Combined Authority, we are investing in the power of the creative economy to drive growth, opportunity and regeneration across our region.

We are now looking for a Delivery Manager to lead the end-to-end delivery of the Creative Places Growth Fund (CPGF) - a game changing £25 million programme designed to strengthen and grow the West Midlands’ creative industries over the next three years.

The Delivery Manager will lead the successful commissioning, mobilisation and delivery of the Creative Places Growth Fund, ensuring outcomes are achieved through strong governance, effective partnership working, and robust programme and financial management.

You will work across WMCA teams, local authorities, industry partners, universities, and the West Midlands Growth Company to ensure the programme delivers tangible, measurable impact.

Many of the projects within the fund will be new to WMCA delivery, making this a highly influential role in shaping how we work, deliver and collaborate in this space.

This role is a fixed-term contract until 31st March 2029.

What you will be doing

• Lead the mobilisation and delivery of the Creative Places Growth Fund programme
• Ensure programme objectives are clearly defined and aligned to economic, social and creative growth outcomes
• Develop high-quality, evidence-based proposals, business cases, delivery plans and reports
• Apply project and programme management methodologies from design through to delivery and evaluation
• Coordinate cross-functional activity to ensure effective, compliant and efficient delivery
• Oversee governance, legal, financial and risk management processes across the programme
• Monitor performance, manage risks and ensure issues are identified and resolved effectively
• Embed evaluation and learning into programme design to support continuous improvement
• Use data, insight and user-centred approaches to inform decision-making and innovation
• Produce high-quality briefings, reports and presentations for senior leaders and external partners
• Manage delegated budgets, ensuring strong financial oversight, value for money and compliance
• Identify opportunities for efficiency, savings and improved investment impact
• Lead and support a team of up to five direct reports, including coaching, performance and development
• Build strong relationships across public, private and voluntary sector partners
• Represent WMCA at senior meetings, boards and external events
• Contribute to strategic communications, sharing impact and success stories across the region
• Maintain awareness of political, policy and regulatory developments relevant to the role

What’s Essential

• Proven experience of programme delivery and end-to-end management
• Experience of writing business cases, delivery plans, reports and evidence-based proposals
• Line management experience and confidence leading teams
• Strong understanding of the culture and creative industries landscape
• Awareness of political context, policy drivers and regulatory frameworks
• Excellent analytical, organisational and attention-to-detail skills
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Advanced IT skills, including MS Office for reporting, presentations and analysis
• Experience of managing budgets and financial processes effectively
• A collaborative, proactive approach to working across multiple partners and priorities

Location.

The location for this role is Summer Lane with at least 2 days a week spent in the office.

How to apply .

Applying for a role with WMCA is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started.

1. Create your Careers Account. Register with your name, email address, and a password.
2. Build your Profile. Upload your CV to help populate your career and education details.
3. Write your Supporting Statement. Make sure to address each of the required essential criteria.
4. Submit your application. Do one final check and once complete, click submit.

Anonymised Applications.

Your uploaded CV won’t be visible after submission. Our process is anonymised, and only the information in your profile is used for shortlisting . Be thorough in each section. It’s your chance to showcase your skills and experience.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We cannot stop anyone from using AI to help write application content. Used right, it can be a great tool. If you choose to use AI, then use it as a helper rather than relying on it wholly to write your application.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting. For help on how to write a supporting statement, please visit the FAQs section of our careers site.

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 (View email address on findajob.dwp.gov.uk).

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. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees. Requests for salaries above the maximum advertised range will not be considered.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• 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.

For more information, please visit the benefits page on our career site.

Why join WMCA?

WMCA is laser-focused on improving the West Midlands, bringing economic growth, jobs, homes, and better journeys to the region. We target local needs where it matters most, ensuring everyone has a job that pays well and has access to safe and affordable places they can call home.

We put people and place at the heart of everything we do, working hand in hand with our partners to direct funding where it's needed most. What you do, really matters. Your expertise will help make a big difference, improving people's lives, every day.

Our Values and Behaviours.

Fostering an environment where people feel valued, included, supported, and proud to contribute to our region is important to us at the WMCA. Our behaviours are more than statements; they guide how we work, make decisions, and treat one another - they set the standards we hold ourselves to and the experience we want others to have.

• Collaborative - We work as one organisation, building trust, connection and shared purpose across teams, partners and customers to create the biggest impact for our region.
• Driven - Focussed on impact - leading with clarity, care and courage to deliver meaningful results for the West Midlands.
• Inclusive - Every voice matters - we create belonging, fairness and psychological safety so everyone can thrive.
• Innovative - We think future and act smarter - embracing curiosity, creativity and continuous improvement to shape the future.

Creating an inclusive workplace.

WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as the RACE Code Quality Mark, Armed Forces Covenant (Gold status) and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We’re a Disability Confident Employer with ‘Leader’ status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria.

We are also proud to be a Ban the Box employer, which means we do not ask about criminal convictions at the initial application stage, and will only ask after an offer is made as part of our onboarding checks, which helps us remove barriers for people with past convictions and supporting fair opportunities for all.

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

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).

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Disability Confident

About Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .