Director of Communications

West Midlands Combined Authority; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

28 days annual leave + buy/sell option

Discounted gym membership

Discounted shopping for extended crew

Costco membership

Job summary

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is seeking an accomplished Director of Communications to lead an integrated function spanning communications, media, marketing, digital and brand. You will translate complex priorities into clear narratives for residents, partners and national audiences, and shape the region’s voice with the Mayor and senior leaders.

You will build an inclusive, high-performing team, champion collaboration and accountability, and ensure communications are evidence-led,

Qualifications

• Senior communications leadership across corporate, marketing, digital, public relations and campaigns.
• Proven ability to lead senior managers and multidisciplinary teams to deliver results.
• Experience advising at board level in politically sensitive environments.

Responsibilities

• Set the direction with an ambitious, integrated communications strategy.
• Advise at the highest level to the Mayor, Chief Executive, and senior leaders.
• Inspire and develop senior managers and multidisciplinary teams.
• Coordinate corporate and internal communications to inform and engage staff.
• Shape and deliver compelling narratives to raise the West Midlands’ profile regionally and nationally.
• Oversee governance, budget, and value-for-money across the portfolio.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic communications

Stakeholder management

Political acumen

Team development

Public speaking

Education

Degree-level qualification or equivalent

Chartered status or CIPR/CIM accreditation

Job description

The West Midlands has never been short of character, ingenuity or ambition. What it needs now is a stronger, more confident story about where it has come from and where it is going.

Nearly nine in ten people believe our region should have a distinct identity that inspires pride. The Mayor’s West Midlands Growth Plan is setting the direction, with a clear ambition for “growth in every postcode”. Alongside HS2, a new development corporation and major investment in housing, transport and reindustrialisation, it creates a once-in-a-generation opportunity to show what the West Midlands can achieve.

This is your opportunity to lead and shape that story, building pride in our region, strengthening public trust and showing how change is making a difference to everyday lives.

As Director of Communications at the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), you will work at the heart of the region’s ambitions. You will be a trusted adviser to the Mayor, Chief Executive, Executive Board and senior leaders, and lead an integrated communications, media, marketing, digital and brand function. You will turn complex priorities into clear, compelling narratives and campaigns that reach residents, engage partners and raise the West Midlands’ profile nationally and internationally.

Your impact will be felt inside WMCA, too. You will inspire an inclusive, high-performing team; help colleagues connect to our purpose and transformation; and champion a culture of collaboration, trust and accountability. It is a rare opportunity to lead both the story we tell and the confidence with which we tell it.

What you’ll be doing.

• Set the direction. Develop and deliver an ambitious, integrated communications, media, marketing, digital and brand strategy that brings WMCA priorities, the Mayor’s ambitions and outcomes for the region to life.
• Advise at the highest level. Provide trusted, politically astute counsel to the Mayor, Chief Executive, Executive Board and senior leaders, navigating complex and high-profile issues while protecting and strengthening WMCA’s reputation.
• Inspire great people. Lead and develop senior managers and multidisciplinary teams, embedding the People & Culture Strategy through inclusive leadership, colleague engagement, professional development and shared accountability.
• Connect our organisation. Lead corporate and internal communications that build understanding, support change and transformation, and help colleagues feel informed, valued and connected to WMCA’s purpose and priorities.
• Build a stronger regional voice. Work closely with the Strategy Unit, Mayoral Team, constituent authorities and regional partners to shape compelling narratives and campaigns that build pride and strengthen the West Midlands’ profile nationally and internationally.
• Make every pound and campaign count. Oversee performance, governance and financial management across the portfolio, ensuring communications are evidence-led, accessible, politically appropriate, measurable and deliver value for money.

What you’ll bring.

We’re looking for an accomplished communications leader with the judgement, creativity and credibility to thrive in a high-profile, politically sensitive environment.

• A successful track record of leading a significant, multidisciplinary portfolio across corporate communications, marketing, digital, public relations, media, brand and campaigns.
• Extensive experience of developing senior managers and inspiring inclusive, high-performing teams to deliver results.
• A proven ability to shape and champion a compelling story for the West Midlands, using clear, authentic narratives and campaigns to build regional pride, strengthen its identity and engage a wide range of audiences.
• Experience operating and reporting at Director level, and working effectively with Elected Members or Boards in a politically sensitive setting.
• Sound judgement, adaptability and resilience when making decisions under pressure in complex, ambiguous or fast-changing circumstances.
• A degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• Chartered status or a relevant senior-level professional qualification in communications, public relations, marketing or a related discipline, such as CIPR or CIM accreditation.
• Evidence of continued professional and leadership development.

Location.

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3SD with at least 2 days a week spent in the office.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We cannot stop anyone from using AI to help write application content. Used right, it can be a great tool. If you choose to use AI, then use it as a helper rather than relying on it wholly to write your application.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting. For help on how to write a supporting statement, please visit the FAQs section of our careers site.

Reasonable adjustments.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team ( [e-mail] ).

Salary and benefits.

We advertise salary ranges, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees. Requests for salaries above the maximum advertised range will not be considered.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).
• Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme where you can build an additional pot of money alongside your pension with contributions exempt from Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs).
• 28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more) + Statutory days.
• Discounted gym membership, will writing,andmortgage advice.
• An option to buy a bicycle, including e-bikes and adapted pedal cycles, at a discounted rate.
• 3 days of paid leave each year to volunteer.
• Interest-free financing through SmartTech to buy the latest technology
• Discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers, and more. You can now also obtain a Costcomembership through the WMCA.
• Boundlessunlocks unlimited entry to top-rated UK attractions and loads of extra benefits and discounts.
• EyeCare Scheme,offering a free eye test and a financial contribution towards your glasses.

For more information, please visit the benefits page on our career site.

WMCA is laser-focused on improving the West Midlands, bringing economic growth, jobs, homes, and better journeys to the region. We target local needs where it matters most, ensuring everyone has a job that pays well and has access to safe and affordable places they can call home.

We put people and place at the heart of everything we do, working hand in hand with our partners to direct funding where it's needed most. What you do, really matters. Your expertise will help make a big difference, improving people's lives, every day.

Our Values and Behaviours.

Fostering an environment where people feel valued, included, supported, and proud to contribute to our region is important to us at the WMCA. Our behaviours are more than statements; they guide how we work, make decisions, and treat one another - they set the standards we hold ourselves to and the experience we want others to have.

• Collaborative -We work as one organisation. Together we build trust, connection and shared purpose across teams, partners and residents to create the biggest impact for our region.
• Driven -We are focused on outcomes. We perform at our best to unlock productivity and delivery, achieving the greatest regional impact.
• Inclusive - We value difference. Creating an environment where people belong, and feel psychologically safe, so we can all thrive and shape a West Midlands built for everyone.
• Innovative - We are courageous. We embrace new ideas and challenge the status quo to continuously improve and shape the future of the West Midlands.

Creating an inclusive workplace.

WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as the RACE Code Quality Mark, Armed Forces Covenant (Gold status) and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We’re a Disability Confident Employer with ‘Leader’ status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria.

We are also proud to be a Ban the Box employer, which means we do not ask about criminal convictions at the initial application stage, and will only ask after an offer is made as part of our onboarding checks, which helps us remove barriers for people with past convictions and supporting fair opportunities for all.

We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional "perfect candidate" mould.

We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying

Sponsorship / Right to work requirements

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, however, Skilled Worker visa sponsorship will only be considered for roles that meet our defined business-critical criteria and relevant sponsorship requirements. This role does not meet that threshold and we are therefore unable to offer sponsorship. Applicants must have the appropriate right to work in the UK before applying.

Redeployment

As part of our commitment to supporting colleagues who are at risk of redundancy, priority consideration may be given to eligible colleagues seeking redeployment. Where a suitable redeployment candidate is identified, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early.

• Job Type Communications / Marketing / PR