Policy Manager

West Midlands Combined Authority; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Shared Cost AVCS

28 days paid annual leave

Discounted gym membership

Costco membership

Eye Care Scheme

Volunteer leave

Job summary

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) seeks a Policy Manager to join the Employment, Skills, Health and Communities Directorate to shape policy during devolution and reform. You will lead policy development across major strategic challenges, engaging senior leaders, partners and stakeholders to influence regional priorities.

Based in Birmingham, this high-profile role requires systems thinking, analytical capability and strong written communication to produce papers, briefings and

Qualifications

• Significant experience in policy development, strategy or public sector reform within a government, public sector, research or think-tank environment.
• Strong understanding of the policy landscape relating to devolution, public service reform, local government, employment, skills or economic development.
• Proven ability to analyse complex systems and develop coherent policy responses to multifaceted challenges.
• Strong track record of using research, analysis, evidence and insight to influence policy and strategic decision-making.
• Excellent written communication skills, with experience producing high-quality strategic papers, briefings and recommendations for senior audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead policy development on major strategic challenges affecting the West Midlands, including public service reform, devolution, economic inclusion and workforce transformation.
• Develop evidence-based policy positions that support greater regional influence over employment, skills and wider public services.
• Work with senior leaders and partners to shape responses to emerging government priorities and reforms.
• Analyse national policy developments and assess their implications for the region, informing strategic responses and recommendations.
• Support the development of integrated approaches across employment, skills, health, economic development and local government agendas.
• Use research, data, evaluation and insight to identify system-wide challenges and opportunities for reform.
• Produce high-quality policy papers, briefings, strategic reports and advice for senior leadership, elected members and external stakeholders.
• Build productive relationships with local authorities, government departments, public sector partners, employers, providers and representative bodies.
• Facilitate collaboration across organisations and sectors to address complex cross-cutting challenges that cannot be resolved by a single institution acting alone.
• Represent the organisation in regional and national policy discussions, networks and strategic forums.

Skills

Policy development

Strategy

Public sector reform

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical capability

Written communication

Job description

We are seeking a Policy Manager to join our Employment, Skills, Health and Communities Directorate and help shape the future role of the West Midlands in a period of significant public service reform, devolution and institutional change.

Working within the Insight and Intelligence Team, you will lead the development of strategic policy that responds to emerging national agendas around public service reform, devolution, fiscal sustainability and the changing role of the state. You will help the West Midlands Combined Authority understand and respond to complex system-wide challenges, bringing together evidence, insight and stakeholder engagement to shape regional policy positions and support long-term transformation across employment, skills, health and inclusive growth.

This is a high-profile strategic role requiring strong policy expertise, systems thinking, analytical capability and the ability to work confidently across complex political, institutional and stakeholder environments.

What you will be doing.

• Lead policy development on major strategic challenges affecting the West Midlands, including public service reform, devolution, economic inclusion and workforce transformation.
• Develop evidence-based policy positions that support greater regional influence over employment, skills and wider public services.
• Work with senior leaders and partners to shape responses to emerging government priorities and reforms.
• Analyse national policy developments and assess their implications for the region, informing strategic responses and recommendations.
• Support the development of integrated approaches across employment, skills, health, economic development and local government agendas.
• Use research, data, evaluation and insight to identify system-wide challenges and opportunities for reform.
• Produce high-quality policy papers, briefings, strategic reports and advice for senior leadership, elected members and external stakeholders.
• Build productive relationships with local authorities, government departments, public sector partners, employers, providers and representative bodies.
• Facilitate collaboration across organisations and sectors to address complex cross-cutting challenges that cannot be resolved by a single institution acting alone.
• Represent the organisation in regional and national policy discussions, networks and strategic forums.

What’s essential.

• Significant experience in policy development, strategy or public sector reform within a government, public sector, research or think-tank environment.
• Strong understanding of the policy landscape relating to devolution, public service reform, local government, employment, skills or economic development.
• Proven ability to analyse complex systems and develop coherent policy responses to multifaceted challenges.
• Strong track record of using research, analysis, evidence and insight to influence policy and strategic decision-making.
• Excellent written communication skills, with experience producing high-quality strategic papers, briefings and recommendations for senior audiences.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including experience working across organisational and sector boundaries.
• Ability to navigate political environments and provide advice on politically sensitive or high-profile issues.
• Experience managing competing priorities and delivering high-quality outputs in fast-paced and evolving contexts.
• A collaborative approach, with the ability to work effectively through partnerships, networks and matrix-management arrangements.
• An understanding of systems leadership, place-based working and cross-sector collaboration.

Location.

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

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 Contributionscheme 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.

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