ER and Policy Specialist

West Midlands Combined Authority; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional authority in Birmingham is seeking an Employee Relations & Policy Specialist to guide employee relations and develop policies. The role involves managing casework and ensuring compliance with employment laws while promoting a positive workplace culture. The ideal candidate will have a degree and be CIPD Level 5 qualified. This position is a 24-month fixed-term contract, offering a comprehensive benefits package including generous annual leave and a pension scheme.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

28 days paid annual leave

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level.
• CIPD qualified to level 5 minimum.
• Proven experience in managing complex employee relations issues.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance on employee relations matters.
• Manage complex casework from start to finish.
• Work on continuous improvement of policy governance.

Skills

Employee relations expertise

Coaching skills

Policy governance

Organizational change support

Education

Degree-level education

CIPD Level 5 qualification

Job description

Are you passionate about creating fair, inclusive, and legally sound workplaces?

We're looking for an Employee Relations & Policy Specialist to join People and Culture team at WMCA. In this pivotal role, you'll provide expert guidance on a wide range of employee relations matters, manage complex casework from start to finish, and lead the development and implementation of people policies.

You'll play a key part in strengthening our approach to case management, policy governance, and workforce risk, ensuring we meet our legal obligations while supporting a positive and consistent employee experience.

Please note that this is a 24 month Fixed Term Contract. Successful applicants will be invited to a two-stage interview process scheduled for Thursday 5th February 2026. Please note that this is a fixed interview date, so ensure you apply with your availability confirmed.

What you will be doing

• Contribute to shaping the ER service to support inclusion, engagement and organisational values and provide evidence.
• Identify patterns and trends in ER casework and elevate risks or areas for improvement to the ER & Policy Manager.
• Work on the continuous improvement of policy governance, casework processes, and workforce relations across the organisation.
• Keep abreast of changes in employment law and the implications for policy changes and their implementation.
• Maintain relations with the Diversity Networks to ensure appropriate involvement in policy reviews.
• Build manager capability through coaching and support.
• Deliver consistent, timely, and legally informed advice to managers across the full spectrum of employee relations issues.
• Collaborate with the OD, Change & Transformation team in designing and delivering policy and ER-related training sessions and resources for managers and colleagues.
• Manage a range of employee relations cases from informal resolution through to formal hearings.
• Engage constructively with Trade Union representatives and others involved in ER case management.
• Promote early intervention and proportionate outcomes to reduce cost and legal exposure.
• Ensure ER recommendations are fair, robust and financially sustainable.
• Support inclusion, wellbeing, and continuous improvement across all people delivery.

What you need

• Educated to at least degree level.
• CIPD qualified to level 5 minimum.
• Evidence of continued professional development.
• Proven experience advising and supporting on informal approaches through to complex employee relations issues across the casework lifecycle.
• Evidence of providing value‑add HR advice on a range of employment matters to stakeholders across the entire employee lifecycle.
• Evidence of using coaching skills to develop manager competence and confidence in dealing with people management issues.
• Experience of developing and delivering people process and policy‑related training.
• Experience in contributing to the development, implementation or review of HR policies.
• Experience of supporting organisational change processes. Understanding and knowledge of relevant employment legislation.

Location

The role is located at 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3SD, with at least two days per week spent in the office.

How to apply

Applying for a role with WMCA is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started.

1. Create your Careers Account. Register with your name, email address, and a password.
2. Build your Profile. Upload your CV to help populate your career and education details.
3. Write your Supporting Statement. Make sure to address each of the required essential criteria.
4. Submit your application. Do one final check and, once complete, click submit.

Anonymised Applications

Your uploaded CV won't be visible after submission. Our process is anonymised, and only the information in your profile is used for shortlisting. Be thorough in each section. It's your chance to showcase your skills and experience.

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.
• EV car benefit scheme
• Healthcare plans
• Discounted gym membership, will writing, mortgage advice.
• An option to buy a bicycle, including e‑bikes and adapted pedal cycles, at a discounted rate.
• Three 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 Costco membership through the WMCA.
• Boundless unlocks unlimited entry to top‑rated UK attractions and loads of extra benefits and discounts.
• Eye Care 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.

Why join WMCA?

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.

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.

Right to Work in the UK

Proof of Right to Work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Non‑UK applicants (excluding Ireland) would be required to hold a relevant Visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).