Job Introduction
Head of Commissioning and Investment
Lead the transformation from strategy to delivery.
Led by Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WECA) brings together Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire to deliver investment and opportunities that improve lives, strengthen communities and support sustainable economic growth across the region.
We're looking for an ambitious and strategic Head of Commissioning and Investment to shape how regional priorities become real-world outcomes. You'll sit at the heart of decision-making, turning policy ambition into impactful programmes and developing prioritised investment plans that deliver for communities, businesses and partners across the region.
This is a high-profile strategic role at the heart of how we translate ambition into action forming the bridge between strategy and delivery.
You'll lead the development of commissioning strategies and delivery models, identifying the best routes to achieve outcomes, whether through direct delivery, local authority partnerships, commissioned providers, grants or innovative delivery vehicles. Using evidence, insight and market intelligence, you'll ensure investment is designed for maximum impact, value for money and long-term sustainability.
Working across complex stakeholder environments, you'll bring together policy, finance, delivery and governance to create clear, evidence-led recommendations for investment and implementation. You'll build strategic partnerships, oversee commissioning planning, and ensure evaluation and learning are embedded from day one.
This is a role for someone who can think strategically, navigate complexity and influence at senior levels, while keeping a relentless focus on outcomes, accountability and public value.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the development of the Combined Authority’s annual Investment Plan.
- Lead strategic commissioning across major programmes and investments.
- Translate regional strategies into investable and deliverable propositions.
- Lead the development of outline business cases and navigate proposals through the Regional Delivery Framework, identifying the most appropriate routes to delivery.
- Use evidence, data and regional intelligence to inform investment prioritisation, business case development and commissioning decisions.
- Provide strategic advice on delivery routes, governance and investment decisions.
- Champion evidence-based decision-making, performance management and continuous improvement.
- Ensure commissioning supports regional priorities, devolution ambitions and funding requirements.
- Develop and lead a high-performing team, creating a culture of ownership, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
About you
We are looking for a strategic and commercially minded leader who can connect strategy and delivery.
You will bring significant experience of leading investment or commissioning activity in a complex environment, with the credibility to advise senior officers, elected representatives and partners and the judgement to navigate competing priorities and political sensitivities.
You will be comfortable operating where there is complexity and ambiguity. You will be able to assess evidence, understand financial and commercial implications, manage risk and make clear recommendations that enable confident decision-making.
You will also be a strong relationship builder. Success in this role will depend on your ability to work across organisational boundaries, bring people together around shared outcomes and develop trusted partnerships with public, private and other external stakeholders.
Importantly, you will bring an entrepreneurial and innovative mindset. You will be able to look beyond established approaches and identify new opportunities.
Why join us?
The West of England is a region with significant ambition and opportunity. From transport and housing to skills, innovation and sustainable economic growth, our work has a direct impact on the places where people live and work.
As Head of Commissioning & Investment, you will have the opportunity to:
Shape investment decisions that matter – influence where resources are focused and how investment can deliver the greatest regional impact.
Turn strategy into delivery – move beyond policy and ambition to develop investable, outcome-focused programmes and interventions.
Work at a regional level – collaborate across councils, government, business, communities and other partners to deliver shared priorities.
Make a lasting difference – help create the conditions for inclusive, sustainable growth across the West of England.
Lead and develop others – build a high-performing team and contribute to a culture that is ambitious, collaborative, inclusive, confident and innovative.
Our values
We want leaders who demonstrate our values in everything they do:
Ambitious – setting high expectations and taking ownership for delivery.
Collaborative – working across boundaries and putting organisational and regional outcomes ahead of silos.
Inclusive – creating environments where people can contribute, succeed and feel valued.
Confident – making timely, evidence-based decisions and having the courage to provide constructive challenge.
Innovative – continually improving the way we work and looking beyond established solutions.
If you are an experienced strategic leader who can combine commercial judgement, political awareness, analytical rigour and an entrepreneurial approach to investment, we would like to hear from you.
Join us and help turn the West of England's ambitions into investment, programmes and outcomes that make a real difference.
Find out more
If this sounds like your next opportunity, please apply so you can tell us why you'd be a great fit. There’s more information for you in the job description.
There’s more role-related formation is in the job description, but if you have any questions for the recruitment team you can contact us on Resourcing@westofengland-ca.gov.uk.
The closing date for this role is midnight on Sunday 13th September 2026.
About the Company
Our offer
We are based in a new bright and airy office, with all the latest technology, close to Bristol Temple Meads Train Station.
Alongside the opportunity to make a real difference to the people who visit, live and work in the West of England, we offer an excellent benefits package including:
- 26 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years continuous service. There is also the option to increase your annual leave with our annual leave purchase scheme.
- 2 days of paid leave each year to volunteer
- Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).
- Flexible, family friendly and hybrid working options to ensure you achieve the best work/life balance and career goals. We follow a hybrid working model with typically 2 or 3 days in the office each week
- Reduced bus fare travel across the West of England
We believe in fostering a culture of continuous learning and development, empowering you to thrive in your career. We prioritise your growth and success by providing a diverse range of learning and development opportunities. Our goal is to keep you motivated, equipped with essential skills, and confident in delivering excellent services.
The salary for this role is £72,424 - £79,895. This is the full-time equivalent salary, and will be pro-rata for part-time. We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new appointments for external candidates typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, where higher skill levels or experience are applicable, 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.
Good Employment Charter
https://www.goodemploymentcharter.co.uk/
As a founding Member of the West of England Good Employment Charter and accredited Living Wage Employer, we’re committed to creating a diverse environment where all our employees can thrive. We make sure all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment and we particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or citizenship status.
Fair and Inclusive Recruitment
As part of our commitment to fair and inclusive recruitment, we provide interview questions to all shortlisted candidates in advance/on request. This approach helps ensure everyone can demonstrate their skills, knowledge and experience fully, and supports our duties under the Equality Act 2010. You will also be asked follow-up questions during the interview to explore your responses in more detail.
Reasonable Adjustments
If you have an accessibility need, disability, condition or need any additional support that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process (for example, you might need to submit your application in a different format), please get in touch with our Resourcing Team at Resourcing@westofengland-ca.gov.uk. We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.
Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)
We want to understand the real person behind each application. While we recognise that some applicants may use AI tools, these should support your writing rather than replace your own voice. AI can be a helpful aid, but your personal insight and individuality are what matter most to us.
Closing dates
Our roles close at midnight on the closing date. Please note this vacancy may close early or be extended depending on the number of applications so please don’t wait to apply. If you have started your application, we’ll give you notice of the new closing date by email.
From a recruitment agency?
We’re not engaging with agencies for this role. Any CVs received from agencies will be considered as unsolicited and the property of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, with no obligation to pay agency fees.
