Project Appraisal Manager

Project Appraisal Manager
£46,889 per annum - Grade 8 Leeds / Hybrid Full time - 37 hours per week
Please note that the Combined Authority will consider requests for part-time working and/or job share. We currently have two vacancies for a Project Appraisal Manager to join our Strategic Portfolio Office.
The SPO oversees the portfolios of programmes and projects which the Combined Authority funds. The schemes are delivered directly by the Combined Authority or through one of our partner organisations (in the public and private sector). Whichever the delivery route, the SPO has responsibility for ensuring that schemes meet the strategic aims of the organisation and have a robust strategic, economic, commercial, financial, and management case (as per the central Government Green Book Appraisal & Evaluation, and Five Case Model) to give assurance that they will be developed and delivered within the agreed time, cost, and quality framework.
The schemes that the Combined Authority promotes and funds, and which are appraised by the SPO, cover a broad range such as infrastructure schemes covering transport, housing, regeneration, and clean growth, as well as digital connectivity, business support and culture.
In 2021 the £1.8bn devolution deal was secured for West Yorkshire. This meant the first Mayor of West Yorkshire was subsequently elected, with Tracy Brabin taking up the post in May 2021. The devolution deal and election of the Mayor has enabled us to start to drive up living standards for local communities while tackling the climate emergency and helping to deliver our commitment to become a net zero carbon region by 2038.
Our Offer
* Work your way – From flexible and agile working options, including a generous flexi-time scheme to help you balance your personal life and career.
* Time to recharge – Enjoy 28 days of annual leave (with increases based on length of service), plus all Bank Holidays.
* Free greener travel across West Yorkshire – Cover your commute sustainably with unlimited free bus and rail travel using the MCard (Zones 1–5).
* Secure your future – Benefit from a highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
* Investing in you – Take advantage of fully funded professional development, regular training, and up to 3 paid volunteering days per year.
* Grow with us – Incremental salary progression for most roles and annual cost of living increases.
* Family first – We offer enhanced parental and bereavement leave, plus other family-friendly policies to support you when it matters most.
* Your wellbeing, our priority – Access 24/7 free confidential counselling services and the Headspace app for you and up to 5 family or friends.
* Modern workspace in a prime location – Work in bright, contemporary offices just a 2-minute walk from Leeds Train Station, fully equipped with the latest tech.
The Role
Reporting into the Lead Project Appraisal Manager, your key responsibilities will include:
* Be responsible for appraising projects and programmes by undertaking reviews of business cases coming forward for approval through the Combined Authority assurance process, in accordance with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Assurance Framework.
* Liaising with scheme promoters to resolve detailed queries flowing from business case reviews.
* Ensuring appropriate quality assurance processes are in place and adhered to.
* Support the integration of the Combined Authority’s Carbon Impact Assessment tool and Equality and Diversity Impact Assessments in the submission and appraisal of business cases.
Please review the Role Profile for more information about the responsibilities. About You
You will have the following key skills, attributes, education and experience:
* Experience of business case appraisal or business case development using the green book five case methodology, preferably of transport schemes comprising Active Travel (walking/cycling) and Public Transport (Bus/Rail) interventions.
* Knowledge and experience of analysing qualitative and quantitative data to produce reports to support decision making.
* Relevant project management skills and experience, preferably from working on transport projects and programmes.
* Experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders and forming strong working relationships.
* Experience of prioritising, planning, and organising workloads to manage expectations and deadlines.
To Apply
If this sounds like your next role, please complete the application form on our website 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.
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