West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Asset Development Manager
£44,111 per annum (pay award pending) - Grade 8
Leeds / Hybrid
Full time / Permanent - 37 hours per week

Please note that the Combined Authority will consider requests for part-time working and/or job share.

Are you ready to take the wheel in transforming the future of public transportation in West Yorkshire? As our new Asset Development Manager, you will play a key role in the transition to a franchised bus network, whilst also contributing to the design, development, management, and upkeep of our portfolio within the broader Assets team.

The Facilities and Assets Team within the Transport Services Directorate manages the development and day-to-day operations of the Combined Authority’s extensive property portfolio. This includes our operational bus stations, which serve over 150,000 passengers daily, more than 14,000 bus stops and shelters, Bus Reform assets, and our newly refurbished head office at Wellington House. The team also oversees a diverse commercial and non-operational property portfolio, managing hundreds of tenants, leases and other agreements. This presents an exciting opportunity for our new Asset Development Manager to provide an intelligent client role in projects. You will ensure that investments in our assets align with design standards, operational needs, maintenance and repair requirements, comply with evolving legislation, and support the development of assets to meet our organisation’s growing aspirations and responsibilities.

Working initially on the bus franchising scheme, you will support the Depot Infrastructure Project Manager with the assessment of existing depots, agree client briefs and requirements ,oversee refurbishments and have direct input in to the development of new and existing depots to ensure the Combined Authority can deliver bus franchising. This will include reviewing depot designs to ensure safe and efficient operational environments that meet our commitments to sustainability through introducing Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) charging infrastructure upgrades to support the transition to a ZEB fleet. Your passion for creating sustainable, inclusive infrastructure will be crucial in ensuring we meet EPC obligations, landlord regulations, and improve depot staff facilities through Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) interventions.

Although not essential, a background in construction, contract management, building design, surveying and cost control, transport operations, or depot management will be highly advantageous, as you will oversee the allocation of dedicated resources to manage work programmes whilst ensuring we meet deadlines. As property owners and landlords, we are dedicated to investing in and maintaining our facilities to the highest standards. If you have the expertise to manage complex projects, a keen eye for detail, and looking to make a lasting impact, join us in leading the way towards a more efficient transport system.

Our Offer
Alongside a competitive salary, we offer an excellent benefits package including:
• 28 days Annual Leave (increasing upon years of service) plus Bank Holidays
• Generous Employer-Contribution Pension Scheme
• Free Travel on rail and buses across West Yorkshire with the M-Card (Zones 1-5)
• Flexible Working Practices with Health & Wellbeing initiatives, including agile working options, as well as a generous flexi-time scheme to ensure you achieve the best work/life balance and career goals.
• Bright, airy, modern office space, with all latest technology, just a 2-minute walk from Leeds Train Station.

The Role
Reporting into the Asset Development Lead, your key responsibilities will include:

• Manage and promote the CA’s needs as a client in relation to its wide portfolio of bus infrastructure and associated assets.
• Lead or support on all client and design briefs and specifications using technical knowledge and experience for proposals and work streams planned and taking place across all CA land, properties and public transport assets, ensuring all work is in accordance with CA’s client and design briefs, technical specifications and quality standards.
• Working closely with internal delivery teams and external partners including local authorities, design and cost consultants and main contractors.
• Conduct site inspections and surveys, undertaking site audits, preparing defect lists and client acceptance notices of completed works.
• Lead on the forecasting and defining of revenue and capital budgets for work in the current and forthcoming years.
• Ensure that the CA’s project management procedures are followed in accordance with the CA Assurance Framework and that reports are planned and prepared for the relevant governance and committee meetings in a timely manner.

Please review the Role Profile on our website for more information about the responsibilities.

About You
You will have the following key skills, attributes, education and experience:
• A degree in a relevant field or have relevant demonstrable practical experience.
• Be a confident communicator with the ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships,
• Demonstrate partner relationship management skills and have the ability drive progress on project delivery.
• Significant knowledge and experience to act as Client representative on a wide range of projects within a Facilities and Assets environment.
• Significant knowledge and experience of preparing technical specifications relating to contracts and contract management.
• Previous experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team and managing a budget.
• A background in transport operations, logistics or depot management is desirable, but not essential.

To Apply
If this sounds like your next role, please complete the application form and tell us within the supporting statement why you would be a great fit for our role and how your skills, knowledge and experience align with the requirements within the Role Profile. Please visit our Advice for Candidates webpage and review the guidance on this page for support in completing your application form.

To apply for this vacancy, click the apply button or click here.

Further Information
The Combined Authority is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better outcomes. We welcome applications irrespective of people's age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability and/or who are neuro divergent. To find out more about inclusivity at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority please visit our dedicated webpage.
Under the Disability Confident Scheme, applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview, subject to the minimum criteria being met.

Please note that whilst it is our policy to recruit at SP1 for all appointments, which is the salary stated above, each role includes career salary progression, with incremental increases applicable in most cases on an annual basis.