As our SMART Hub Lead, you will coordinate activity on domestic retrofit in order to achieve our regional target of retrofitting 294,000 homes by 2026. This will involve establishing a cross directorate hub which supports the development of a Sustainable Market for Affordable Retrofit Technologies (SMART) across the West Midlands and will take action to address fuel poverty in the region. 

What will you be doing?

• Shape and deliver a funded SMART Hub strategy and work programme
• Secure retrofit funding from national sources into the West Midlands
• Develop the business case for long term domestic retrofit investment
• Identify opportunities to scale up and future-proof the local retrofit supply chain
• Manage a wide range of stakeholders and ensure maximum learning and collaboration amongst partners
• Ensure domestic retrofit programmes of work are effectively targeted, developing a strong data-driven evidence base
• Work closely with West Midlands local authorities and their customer journey support agencies to build a comprehensive picture of ‘need’ and the impact of retrofit measures undertaken
• Represent the Energy Capital partnership and the WMCA at meetings and events
• Work across directorates to ensure that capital funding is invested in retrofit activities
• Oversee the development and delivery of the Warm Homes Saves Lives programme to address fuel poverty
• Support the establishment of relationships with ECO (Energy Company Obligation) providers
• Lobby Government for further Local Authority flexibility in the use of ECO funding

This role is being offered on a two-year fixed term basis and will be based within the Energy Capital Team – the team tasked with delivering the Regional Energy Strategy and securing the powers and resources necessary to deliver it effectively - and will work across directorates and departments to contribute to the net zero transition through action on domestic retrofit.

About you

We’re looking for someone who really does want to make a difference to climate change and carbon reduction. Someone who is as passionate about the West Midlands as we are. You’ll need operational experience in the domestic retrofit sector together with an understanding of policy, legislation, and compliance requirements for domestic energy management, including Standard Assessment Procedure, Energy Performance Certificates, the Energy Company Obligation, and PAS2035/PAS2030.

You’ll be responsible for disseminating information to improve stakeholders’ understanding of relevant policy and regulations and build strong relationships with both constituent and non-constituent local authorities and social landlords across the West Midlands.

You’ll work across a wide range of stakeholders, including constituent and non-constituent local authorities and social landlords, to improve understanding of relevant policy and regulations to ensure maximum learning and collaboration, and therefore excellent interpersonal, collaboration and engagement skills, and experience of working across all levels of an organisation, are needed. A ‘carbon reduction trailblazer’, you’ll be someone who wants to leave a lasting legacy in our region and someone who wants to make a difference to the future of our planet.

About the team

Established by the Mayor of the West Midlands to explore new models of regional energy governance and delivery, Energy Capital is the smart energy innovation partnership for the West Midlands.  By responding to the needs of our vibrant manufacturing economy and diverse local markets, we aim to make the West Midlands one of the most attractive locations to develop and deliver innovative clean energy systems.

Working with local authorities, regulators, energy companies and national government, the Energy Capital Team is responsible for the delivery of the Regional Energy Strategy and securing the investment and powers necessary to enable this. Our partnership, with its secretariat based within the Combined Authority, combines energy infrastructure providers, ambitious local authorities, world-leading academic expertise and innovation support, with diverse businesses and leading energy entrepreneurs.

Energy Capital provides a single point of contact for government, regulators, funders, investors and partners across the West Midlands geography.

About us

Our role in the West Midlands has never been more important and in these extraordinary times we’ve shown we can step forward, speak up for our region and bring people together. Everything we do is focused on making life better for people in the West Midlands – that’s our reason for being here and it drives every move we make. We lead and support others to deliver our shared future vision for the region – a happier, healthier, better connected place to live and work. 

As an employer we fully believe that we are only as great as the people who work for us.  We are committed to providing a positive, healthy and inclusive working environment where our people feel valued and respected. We are a “Leaders in Diversity” accredited organisation, are in the Inclusive Top 50 Employers List and are one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Women.

Our employees feel they can make a difference and are excited by the growth and the potential to shape the future. As the WMCA is undergoing a period of significant change, our employees are engaging with what is going on and we are encouraging a culture where people feel they can contribute towards improvements.

We’re ambitious, forward thinking and determined to find better ways of working, always leading the way in what we do. We trust and support each other to get the job done, and encourage creativity, originality and curiosity from those who work with us. We’re committed to creating an accessible and diverse workplace, one that nurtures an inclusive environment where our people can be themselves.

If your values align with ours and you’re committed to working towards creating a future we can all be proud of, we want to hear from you.

Additional information

We are designing our organisation of the future and planning a new, flexible approach to the way we use our office space. This approach will mean most of us working from home some of the time and using our office space to come together to share ideas and learn from each other. We will continue to use digital technology for meetings, collaboration and communications - bringing teams together virtually wherever they’re working, saving time and spending on travel.

We are committed to developing an organisation that is representative of the diverse communities that we serve and welcome applications from all sections of the community. The following groups are currently underrepresented: young people, Black, Asian and ethnic minority groups and women at senior levels.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and offer a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants who meet the essential job role criteria. We will make reasonable adjustments, in line with the Equality Act, for disabled applicants if these are needed. Wherever possible we will offer flexible working options which assist work-life balance.

We’re dedicated to providing a broad range of rewards and benefits and constantly benchmark our benefits packages to ensure they are attractive for all our people. As well as a competitive salary, employees also receive 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) and access to a great pension scheme.

Supporting documents
WMCA's Benefits Calculator.pdf
SMART Hub Lead Role Profile (1).pdf