The search for top quality candidates follows the City Deal’s decision-making Joint Committee approving a job description and salary for the new role.

A job advert will be published in coming weeks as part of an extensive recruitment drive.

The appointment of an independent programme director is one of the recommendations of reviews into the City Deal earlier this year, which were aimed at speeding up its delivery.

A starting salary of £88,474 has been agreed to attract the highest quality of applicants.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Chairman of the Swansea Bay City Deal’s Joint Committee, said: “The City Deal is worth £1.8 billion and over 9,000 well-paid jobs to South West Wales in coming years, so this will be a key appointment as we embark on an investment programme that will turbocharge the Swansea Bay City Region’s economy.

“As well as setting up and running a specialist City Deal programme management office, the independent programme director will also co-ordinate a portfolio of City Deal projects within agreed timescales, while exploring opportunities to attract further private sector investment.

“That’s why we’ll be looking for a proven, senior leader with significant programme management experience and an outstanding track record in major project delivery, collaboration and stakeholder management.

“This role will give the chance to make a considerable contribution to an investment programme that will leave a hugely positive long-term legacy by making the City Region a more prosperous place to live, work and do business.

“Now that the job description and salary have been approved by Joint Committee, an extensive recruitment drive will follow in coming months.”

Reporting to Joint Committee, the independent programme director will also develop and maintain effective relationships with all public and private sector partners across the City Region, while ensuring the City Deal programme is joined-up and coherent.

Other job functions will include communicating the City Deal’s vision across Wales and beyond, and managing the approval of City Deal project business cases.

Funded by the UK Government, the Welsh Government, the public sector and the private sector, the Swansea Bay City Deal is being led by the four Swansea Bay City Region local authorities, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Swansea University, Swansea Bay University Health Board, and Hywel Dda University Health Board.