Head of Talent, Reward and Workforce Planning

We Manage Jobs(WMJobs); Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional council organization in Birmingham is seeking a Head of Talent, Reward and Workforce Planning. This role includes leading workforce planning, talent acquisition, and ensuring alignment with the organization's growth strategies. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in strategic recruitment, a CIPD or equivalent qualification, and strong leadership skills. Hybrid work model available, with an expectation of in-office presence initially.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

28 days paid annual leave

Discounted gym membership

Voluntary Contribution scheme

Qualifications

• Significant experience in strategic recruitment and workforce planning.
• Proven end-to-end recruitment management.
• Experience leading high-performing recruitment teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of workforce planning strategies.
• Champion employer brand across sourcing channels.
• Drive talent acquisition aligned to organizational goals.

Skills

Strategic recruitment

Workforce planning

HR management

Talent acquisition

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Communication

Education

CIPD or equivalent qualification

Job description

Overview

Established in 2016, WMCA partners with local councils, and collaborates and delivers for the region - driving forward initiatives in transport, net zero, housing, skills, and economic development. People & Culture Services is a newly formed directorate undergoing change. Led by Sarah Lal, the team is developing a new People & Culture strategy and ways of working to meet the ambitions of the WMCA and lead organisational transformation and change. We’re seeking a Head of Talent, Reward and Workforce Planning to provide strategic leadership for WMCA’s workforce planning, total reward, and talent strategies, ensuring value for money and competitive tenders for market hire and contingent labour. The role shapes direction for workforce planning, reward, job evaluation, talent acquisition, and contingent labour, aligning with WMCA’s long-term ambitions and People & Culture strategy. The post ensures the organisation has the people and skills it needs to meet current and future needs, driving inclusive practice, joined-up delivery and value for money.

What you will be doing

• Lead the development and delivery of WMCA’s talent acquisition, retention, and workforce planning strategies aligned to organisational goals.
• Champion WMCA’s employer brand and value proposition across sourcing channels.
• Drive strategic workforce planning to address skills gaps and support future growth, including alignment with digital transformation initiatives.
• Use data and market insights to inform talent strategies and resourcing decisions.
• Collaborate with senior leaders and People & Culture teams to ensure talent strategies meet business needs.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team covering recruitment, contingent labour, workforce planning, and reward.
• Build capability in hiring managers through coaching, training, and inclusive recruitment practices.
• Oversee recruitment operations, systems, and supplier relationships, ensuring compliance and continuous improvement.
• Promote internal mobility, succession planning, and a positive candidate experience.
• Provide strategic workforce insights and assurance to senior stakeholders.
• Manage recruitment budgets, ensuring value for money and financial accountability.
• Represent WMCA in regional and sectoral workforce forums.

What you need

• Significant experience leading strategic recruitment, resourcing, reward or workforce planning in a complex organisation.
• Proven experience of managing end-to-end recruitment across permanent and contingent roles.
• Experience leading high-performing resourcing or workforce teams and suppliers.
• Evidence of developing and delivering inclusive recruitment strategies, employer branding or candidate experience improvements.
• In-depth knowledge of workforce planning, headcount forecasting, and labour market insight.
• Up-to-date understanding of inclusive hiring practice, safer recruitment, GDPR and workforce compliance.
• Ability to analyse, interpret and present workforce data to inform planning and decision-making.
• Commercial awareness in managing agency suppliers, frameworks and cost-effective recruitment delivery.
• Ability to lead others through change, building commitment and managing complexity and uncertainty, with clarity, integrity, and strategic purpose.
• Ability to develop successful relationships with external stakeholders and work with individuals and groups from a range of backgrounds, acting as a corporate leader, not just a functional expert.
• Highly developed verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to synthesize and articulate highly complex information and build rapport with a diverse audience.
• Strategic thinker with excellent judgement, analysis, and systems perspective.
• A confident, credible and values-led leader with strong influencing, coaching and communication skills.
• CIPD or equivalent senior qualification in HR, resourcing, reward or workforce planning– or demonstrable equivalent experience.
• Evidence of continued professional development in recruitment strategy, workforce analytics or inclusive hiring.

Location

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane. We currently operate a hybrid working model, where the expectation is 2 days a week minimum, subject to business requirements. Due to the importance of this role and the new structure, it may be that you spend more time in the office at the start of your role.

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 Talent Acquisition 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, and mortgage 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 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.

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 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).

Attached documents

Head of Talent Reward and Workforce Planning JD.docx