Project Sponsor

Job Details

We have an exciting opportunity for a Project Sponsor to work as a key part of our sponsorship team for our ambitious pipeline of rail projects, working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

You will play a crucial role in championing and serving as the client for the advancement and execution of rail projects, primarily station projects. The sponsorship team will be working on redeveloped stations at Witton, Dudley Port and Adderley Park, working on plans for new stations such as the development of a new station at Aldridge and elsewhere and working with industry partners on the major Midlands Rail Hub scheme.

This major enhancement programme of rail works is championed by the Mayor of the West Midlands, and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) that he leads. The role requires stakeholder management across a number of funders, local authorities, rail industry and central government.   Reporting to the Programme Sponsor, you will be responsible to managing the scope of the projects, developing business cases, preparing land, property and consent strategies and managing stakeholders.

The role sits within Transport for West Midlands (the transport function of WMCA), and also the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE). WMRE is the devolved body with responsibility for working with the rail industry and local authority partners to deliver better rail services in the West Midlands. It is owned by 14 local authorities and the WMCA and is chaired by the Mayor of the West Midlands. WMRE has been given devolved powers from central government, and it uses them to work with the local train companies and Network Rail to deliver a new, golden era for the local rail network.

This is the perfect role for someone who really wants to make a difference and enrich communities by connecting people to each other, employers to jobs, and businesses to markets. We need someone who is an effective communicator and results driven.

What you will be doing

• Ensure adherence to the West Midlands Combined Authority, Network Rail, Department for Transport and other project governance processes.
• Prepare high quality reports, briefings, business cases, and other governance materials to support evidence-based decision making.
• Managing land, property and consents workstreams.
• Manage and direct the activities and performance of consultants, professional services suppliers and contractors.
• Lead on the management of project requirements.
• Identify and champion opportunities for improvement.
• Examine and challenge projects to monitor the delivery of agreed outcomes and requirements.

What’s essential

• Experience of working in or with the rail industry
• Experience of working on capital projects in a political environment, not necessarily in sponsorship
• Experience working with a range of project stakeholders including delivery partners, elected representatives, and the wider public
• Experience of providing support and challenge to project teams and project stakeholders in a complex and fast-paced environment
• Proven ability to work independently and in a matrix environment to deliver high quality outputs to meet the project needs
• Knowledge of scope management, including requirements and change management processes
• Excellent analytical skills
• Creative and proactive approach to problem solving and risk identification / mitigation
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent presentation skills

Location.

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane with at least 2 days a week spent in the office or on site visits.

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.

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