Lead Director - Local Authority Lending

Shape the Future with the National Wealth Fund

At the National Wealth Fund, our mission is to swiftly and effectively mobilise trusted sector insights and investment expertise to unlock billions in private finance for projects across the United Kingdom. Providing £27.8bn of capital and an expanded mandate, we are ready to help the market invest with confidence, continue to drive forward the Government's growth ambitions.

We are looking for skilled and results oriented individuals who are motivated to help us build the National Wealth Fund into an industry-leading institution.

Job Purpose

Shape the Future with the National Wealth Fund

At the National Wealth Fund, our mission is to swiftly and effectively mobilise trusted sector insights and investment expertise to unlock billions in private finance for projects across the United Kingdom. Providing £27.8bn of capital and an expanded mandate, we are ready to help the market invest with confidence, continue to drive forward the Government's growth ambitions.

We are looking for skilled and results oriented individuals who are motivated to help us build the National Wealth Fund into an industry-leading institution.

Job Purpose

As part of the Fund’s mission to support net zero transition and local and regional economic growth, the Fund has a Local Authority Function that provides Advisory services and Lending directly to local authorities across the UK.

The Lead Director of Lending for the LA Function will be accountable for the origination and delivery of often complex and bespoke transactions deploying debt directly to local authorities. They will continue to develop how the LA function supports local authorities to successfully implement technically complex, innovative and essential infrastructure investments with an ambitious aim to improve how public infrastructure is delivered. The Lead Director of Lending will lead the development of the lending pipeline and oversee the management of lending deals across the LA function to deploy our £4bn of lending capacity. They will also work closely with the private banking and investment teams to deliver commercial opportunities for the Fund.

The role involves providing leadership and direction to LA deal teams in analysing investment opportunities, collaborating with co-investors, negotiating documentation, overseeing the LA functions in house light touch due diligence and investment approval processes.

The Lead Director of Lending will also provide expert financial and commercial guidance to local authorities to help improve how local infrastructure is financed, which will be essential to delivering national growth and net zero objectives.

The role holder will be a prominent leadership figure in the LA team, working directly with Advisory sector directors and act as a senior ambassador for the National Wealth Fund.

Location: Hybrid working with a minimum of 3 days per week in the Leeds office

Salary: £160,000 - £175,000

Deadline to Apply: 20th July 2025. Early submission is encouraged, and applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis

Core Responsibilities:

• Act as a prominent external ambassador, leading engagement with local authorities and across local government, HMG departments, investors, developers, banks, and industry to enhance the profile of the National Wealth Fund.
• Support the Managing Director of the Local Authority Function to develop the Fund’s local authority strategy and business plans.
• Oversee the evaluation of potential projects, developing a pipeline aligned with the Fund’s mandate. Shape recommendations to the Investment Committee based on their commercial viability, impact and policy credentials.

• Continue to develop and give direction to the delivery of financing solutions that will help local authorities accelerate the pace of their pipeline projects and also align with the organisation’s strategic objectives.
• Develop forward looking mechanisms and products to best support local authorities with their financing challenges.
• Work closely with government departments on their support to local authorities (such as HMCLG and DESNZ) in particular continuing to develop a more joined up way of working to support local authorities across the UK and our NWF Strategic Partnerships.
• Support and give guidance to the LA Advisory sector Directors as needed on complex financial and commercial aspects of engagements.

• Provide leadership across the LA functions deal pipeline. Use experience and expertise to advise deal teams through the structuring, negotiation, and due diligence processes, working closely with the Advisory sector Directors
• Inspire and motivate across the LA function a high-performing team by leading through example. Engage constructively to share expertise, support professional development, and cultivate an inclusive and collaborative culture.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Extensive career experience of working with both the public and the private sectors, local authorities and local government financing, and areas such as grant funding, PWLB, and financing structures such as joint ventures and development companies. Experience of commercial and financial advisory also desirable.
• Expert knowledge of public and private sector finance, especially local authority finance financing, and transaction negotiation.
• Demonstrate ability to manage a pipeline of projects, prioritising effectively to meet budget targets.
• Significant local authority network and experience in building new networks of market relationships.

• Proven ability to lead engagement with senior officers and leaders of local authorities, investors, contractors, and advisors on complex projects.
• Demonstrate confidence and leadership qualities to provide senior cover for the Managing Director of the LA Function including at Exco, Investment Committees and Board meetings to ensure the Local Authority Team is always represented in a positive and professional way.
• Evidence of working constructively with other teams, such as Banking & Investments, Risk, Portfolio Management, Impact and Policy to successfully navigate internal approval processes and assist in efficient transition to asset management phase.
• Wide-ranging leadership experience with a proven ability to manage high-performing teams, coupled with a strong enthusiasm for developing talent.
• Driven, self-starting and creative with the discipline, diplomacy and team orientation to work in a fast-paced deal environment.
• Ability to act with a high level of confidence in the local authority and local government market as well as within the Fund, with maturity and credibility to positively influence outcomes in the best interests of the National Wealth Fund.
• Highly skilled in negotiation in both the private and public sector, with a strong commercial mindset.
• Skilled communicator with a passion for contributing to the positive culture of the organisation.

A career with us offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact and work on cutting-edge technologies that will drive the UK’s future. We value diversity in our people and inclusion is at the heart of what we do.

We offer competitive benefits and unique learning opportunities from combining both private and public sector skills and experience. Please note, referencing and background checks are carried out for all roles here at the National Wealth Fund.

A career with us offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact and work on cutting-edge technologies that will drive the UK’s future. We value diversity in our people and inclusion is at the heart of what we do.

We offer competitive benefits and unique learning opportunities from combining both private and public sector skills and experience. Please note, referencing and background checks are carried out for all roles here at the National Wealth Fund.