We’re looking for an ambitious Cluster Manager to join the West Midlands Growth Company and make a real impact from day one. If you’re driven, curious, and hungry for growth, this could be your perfect next step.
The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) is the region’s economic development delivery organisation.
From April 2026, we will lead the delivery of regionally commissioned economic development activity aligned to the West Midlands Growth Plan, working in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority and local authorities.
We are building a sharper, business-focused organisation that attracts investment, supports high-growth companies and drives measurable economic impact.
If you want your work to shape how growth is delivered across one of the UK’s most important regions, this is your opportunity.
As Cluster Manager (Defence & Security), you will act as the Programme Lead and day‑to‑day coordinator for the West Midlands Regional Defence and Security Cluster (WM RDSC) during its critical mobilisation and early delivery phase.
The WM RDSC is part of a national Ministry of Defence initiative and has already been formally launched, with funding in place, governance established and strong early momentum. Your role is to ensure the Cluster is well‑coordinated, well‑governed and delivering against its objectives, while building a credible platform for future growth and sustainability.
This is an enabling and convening role rather than one of sole delivery. You’ll operate as a neutral broker, aligning partners, maintaining momentum, and ensuring activity translates into real outcomes for the region’s defence and security ecosystem.
Please be aware this is a 9 month fixed term contract, working 4 days per week.
You’ll be involved in:
- Acting as Programme Lead for the WM RDSC, translating agreed priorities into clear plans, milestones and outputs
- Coordinating activity across industry, universities, local authorities, MOD and regional partners
- Supporting governance structures including the Chair, Advisory Board and working groups
- Building trusted relationships across defence, security, aerospace, advanced manufacturing and innovation sectors
- Convening partners to unlock collaboration, innovation and access to defence markets
- Overseeing delivery progress, risks, dependencies and reporting against MOD funding requirements
- Supporting events, communications and membership engagement to grow and strengthen the Cluster
- Capturing insight from the ecosystem to inform regional strategy, opportunity development and future funding
- Contributing to the development of a sustainable operating model for the Cluster beyond 2026/27
As Cluster Manager (Defence & Security), you’ll act as the programme lead and central coordinator for the West Midlands Regional Defence and Security Cluster during its critical mobilisation and delivery phase. Your focus will be on enabling collaboration, maintaining momentum, and ensuring the cluster delivers against its objectives and funding commitments.
You’ll be responsible for:
- Leading day‑to‑day coordination of the Defence & Security Cluster, translating agreed priorities into clear plans, milestones and outputs
- Managing the annual delivery cycle, tracking progress, risks and dependencies, and taking corrective action where needed
- Supporting effective governance, including the Chair, Advisory Board and working groups, ensuring meetings are well‑run and actions followed through
- Acting as a neutral convenor, bringing together industry, academia, government and public‑sector partners around shared goals
- Building and maintaining trusted relationships with MOD, local authorities, universities, SMEs, Catapults and wider ecosystem partners
- Coordinating events, communications and engagement activity to grow membership, strengthen collaboration and raise the profile of the cluster
- Capturing intelligence and insight from the ecosystem to inform regional priorities, opportunity development and future programme design
- Producing clear reporting and performance updates for funders and stakeholders, ensuring audit readiness and accountability
- Contributing to the development of a sustainable operating model for the cluster beyond the initial funding period
This is a role for someone who enjoys bringing others together, creating structure in complex environments, and enabling partnerships to deliver real economic impact.
Essential:
- Strong experience coordinating programmes or partnerships in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments
- Ability to build trusted relationships across industry, government, academia and public‑sector bodies
- Experience working within governance and assurance frameworks
- Excellent organisation, reporting and prioritisation skills
- Confidence operating without formal authority, using influence and collaboration to deliver outcomes
Desirable:
- Experience in defence, security, aerospace, advanced manufacturing or innovation ecosystems
- Experience supporting membership‑based partnerships, clusters or networks
- Understanding of funding models, sustainability or income diversification in partnership‑led organisations
- Experience translating policy or funding requirements into practical delivery activity
- 26 days holiday
- Company pension scheme including life assurance
- Hybrid working with 2 days in the office
- Cycle to work
- Simple Health employee membership scheme
We’re an equal opportunities employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
