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.

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.

Whats 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.

For a full list of essential criteria for the role, please refer to the JD.

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.

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 (careers@wmca.org.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.

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)..