Director Advisory - Mass Transit

Job purpose

As part of the Bank’s mission to support net zero transition and local and regional economic growth, the Bank has established a Local Government Advisory function. Our advisory services will support Local Authorities to successfully implement the technically complex, innovative and essential infrastructure investments and improve how public infrastructure is delivered.

Local Authorities have high ambitions and broad remits to manage and regenerate local infrastructure. Our advisory function will help unlock potential and increase shared learning across authorities in the UK, working in partnership with local leaders and other sector experts and advisors.

The Director Advisory – Mass Transit will play a pivotal role in delivering this mandate. The successful candidate will help build and shape the advisory service within UKIB and provide expert financial and commercial guidance to Local Authorities in facilitating the delivery of their Net Zero mass transit infrastructure ambitions.

The Director Advisory – Mass Transit is a senior leadership position, and the role holder will bring together technical experience, delivery knowledge and financing excellence to enable local authorities to enter into successful and sustainable commercial and financial arrangements with delivery partners and to bridge financing gaps in sustainable ways.

The Local Authority Advisory Function sits alongside the Local Authority Lending Function which has £4bn of lending capacity. Both teams work closely with the private investment teams.

Core role accountabilities

• Represent the Bank as a specialist in mass transit and large-scale integrated transport infrastructure and commercial strategy, effectively manage all local authority engagement within this field. Cement the Bank’s reputation as a centre of excellence in large scale integrated transport infrastructure. Act as an ambassador for UKIB by participating at industry events and conferences, using these opportunities to influence the broader infrastructure agenda, and successfully showcase UKIB’s mission and purpose to leading industry experts.
• Provide specialist capability in mass transit investment, supporting local authorities to build compelling technological, commercial and financial approaches to their capital programmes and build confidence in the deliverability and viability of identified projects which in turn further promotes the reputation and profile of the Bank.
• Support the Director/Head of Local Authority Lending in shaping the function within the Bank, helping to attract and retain high performing talent and expertise within infrastructure finance and delivery, and establish UKIB as market-leading in the provision of trusted expert advice on heat network infrastructure investment and delivery.
• Utilise expert knowledge to support local authorities in implementing governance to manage specialist technical input and deliver core project outputs such as Due Diligence reports, Public Private Partnership Feasibility reports and advice notes to encourage and engender best practice infrastructure delivery.
• Utilise industry experience to advise and partner with local authorities through legal and commercial negotiations i.e. the procurement of new technology and suppliers and ensure all affiliated risks are clearly identified and communicated to the appropriate levels within the Local Authority.
• Strategically solve complex problems, draw on own expertise and identify solutions efficiently. Ensure that these clients receive expert advice enabling them to best identify and facilitate the most commercially sustainable and appropriate outcomes. and effectively that align to the Banks principles.
• Build relationships across Local Authority executive community. Proactively network and engage with both internal and external senior stakeholders, to include investors, developers, banks and leading industry experts to create future opportunities to enhance UKIB’s reputation in the market.
• Interface in an open, constructive, and collaborative manner with senior colleagues across the Bank to share expert knowledge and experience, draft sector strategies and to fulfil the strategic mission of the Bank.

Knowledge, Skill and Experience requirements

• Significant experience in financing or delivering transport, mass transit and local infrastructure investment.
• Extensive experience of working with both government finance and institutional investors.
• Must be commercially astute and demonstrate excellent negotiation skills.
• Be an ambassador for the Bank’s twin missions of Local and regional growth and the Net Zero transition. Be a skilled communicator and passionate about contributing to the positive culture of the organisation.
• Substantial experience of managing formal lending processes, including negotiation, due diligence and review of contracts; assessment of risks would be an advantage.

Location and Remuneration

The bank is headquartered in Leeds and there is a base salary of £100,000-£110,000 per annum plus discretionary bonus, excellent pension and benefits.