Innovation Policy Manager

West Midlands Combined Authority; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Paid volunteer days

Employee discounts

Cycle to work scheme

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

West Midlands Combined Authority seeks an Innovation Policy Manager to lead evidence-based policy development across innovation, R&D, and technology commercialisation. You will coordinate the West Midlands Innovation Board, engaging senior leaders from business, academia and public sectors to shape priorities and funding approaches.

You will build compelling policy arguments for devolved funding, manage complex partnerships and advise central government on regional growth strategies, ensuring

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading evidence-led innovation, R&D or regional economic policy.
• Ability to interpret complex research and develop policy options for diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in multi-partner policy or programme work including governance and delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of near-to-market innovation funding plans aligned to growth outcomes.
• Lead research and policy development to justify devolved innovation funding strategies.
• Provide intelligence to inform regional economic strategies and mayoral priorities.
• Deliver high-quality briefings and reports to internal and external stakeholders, including central government.
• Manage the West Midlands Innovation Board strategy, operations and stakeholder relations.
• Coordinate delivery and evaluate the work programme with a focus on innovation-skills linkages.
• Develop the West Midlands business-technology commercialisation agenda, including AI.

Skills

Policy development

Stakeholder management

Analytical reasoning

Project coordination

Public sector policy

Job description

This is an influential opportunity to help shape the future of business innovation policy across the West Midlands Combined Authority area.

As Innovation Policy Manager, you will lead the development of evidence-led policies and programmes covering innovation, research and development, technology commercialisation, and the important relationship between innovation and skills. Your work will support inclusive economic growth, inform wider regional strategies and help build the case for greater devolved innovation funding.

This is an exciting time to join WMCA, as we are working with UK Government and peer Mayoral Strategic Authorities to Rewire The State. This role will take a leading and influential role in designing and coordinating how the Government’s commitment to “devolve a substantial share of near to market innovation funding” should be implemented.

Working closely with the West Midlands Innovation Board – a partnership of senior leaders across business, academia, and the public sector - you will manage its strategy, work programme, governance and stakeholder relationships. You will bring partners together, maintain their engagement and provide the constructive challenge needed to turn shared ambitions into clear priorities and deliverable action

You will be adept at engaging and maintaining relationships across complex partnerships, particularly with senior board members, business leaders and government stakeholders. You will be comfortable operating in politically sensitive environments, constructively challenging others when needed while maintaining trust and keeping partners focused on shared outcomes.

What you will be doing.

• Lead the development of plans and approaches relating to near-to-market innovation funding aligned to Plan for Growth outcomes.


• Lead research and policy development to help inform the rationale and evidence for devolved innovation funding as part of Rewiring The State.


• Provide research, intelligence and insight to inform regional economic strategies, innovation plans and wider mayoral priorities.


• Provide high quality, policy advice, briefings and reports to internal and external stakeholders, including central government.


• Manage the West Midlands Innovation Board strategy, operations, and stakeholder relations.


• Lead on coordination, commissioning, oversight of delivery, and evaluation of the work programme of the West Midlands Innovation Board – including a strong focus on innovation‑skills linkages.


• Lead the development of the West Midlands business-technology commercialisation agenda, including but not limited to a focus on AI.

What’s essential.

• Substantial experience of leading evidence-led innovation, R&D or regional economic policy and strategy.


• A successful track record of undertaking and critically interpreting complex quantitative and qualitative research to develop policy options and robust advice for arrange of internal and external stakeholders


• Proven experience of leading multi-partner policy or programme work, including programme design, commissioning, governance, delivery oversight, performance monitoring, evaluation and reporting against strategic outcomes


• Experience of building effective working relationships with senior business leaders in a public-private partnership environment


• Excellent knowledge of economic development and innovation policy


• In depth knowledge of the regional policy landscape including transport policy, housing, employment and skills, business support, inward investment and trade.


• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to critically assess complex research and data to develop evidence-based policy options and recommendations.


• Ability to draw on a range of research and data analysis techniques to inform policy.


• Strong negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to secure agreement across partners on innovation priorities, funding, commissioning and delivery.


• An understanding of key economic policy issues including regional economics, macroeconomic policy and housing, transport, skills and enterprise in the UK.


• Understanding of the political processes and experience of managing politically sensitive issues

Location.

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

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,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.

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

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).

• Directorate Employment, Skills, Health & Communities