Project Manager

WMJobs; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

EV car benefit

Healthcare plan

Gym membership discount

Costco membership

Job summary

WMCA is seeking an experienced Project Manager to join the Portfolio Management Office and deliver transformation across the organisation. You will lead projects end-to-end, ensuring strong governance, clear planning, and active engagement with senior leaders and external partners.

The role emphasizes managing competing priorities, identifying risks early, and coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver benefits.

Qualifications

• Proven track record delivering projects from start to finish in a structured environment.
• Experience in PMO, programme or governance‑led settings.
• Ability to manage risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies with escalation judgements.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from initiation through to implementation and transition into business as usual.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, delivery schedules and resource plans.
• Manage project budgets, forecasts and expenditure, ensuring value for money.
• Maintain RAID logs and actively manage risks, assumptions, issues and dependencies.
• Lead projects through governance and stage gate processes.
• Build relationships with stakeholders and keep them informed throughout the lifecycle.
• Coordinate cross-functional project teams with clear roles and priorities.
• Facilitate meetings, workshops and decision forums.
• Produce clear project reporting, dashboards and highlight reports.
• Contribute to business cases, project initiation documents and strategic planning.

Skills

PMO experience

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Cross-functional leadership

Planning & delivery

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Project

PRINCE2

Agile

Job description

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA),

We’re looking for an experienced Project Manager to join our Portfolio Management Office (PMO) and help deliver projects that support transformation across the WMCA.

This is a role for someone who enjoys bringing structure to complex projects and seeing work through from planning to delivery.

You’ll lead projects across the full lifecycle, making sure there is a clear plan, effective governance and strong engagement with the people involved. You’ll work with colleagues across the organisation, including senior leaders and specialist teams, as well as external stakeholders and partners.

You’ll need to be comfortable managing competing priorities, identifying risks and issues early, and bringing people together to keep projects moving.

This role is being advertised as a 12-month fixed-term contract

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead projects from initiation through to implementation and transition into business as usual.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, delivery schedules and resource plans.
• Manage project budgets, forecasts and expenditure, ensuring value for money.
• Maintain RAID logs and actively manage risks, assumptions, issues and dependencies.
• Lead projects through agreed governance and stage gate processes.
• Manage scope, change control and interdependencies across projects and programmes.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels and keep them informed throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional project teams, making sure roles, responsibilities and priorities are clear.
• Facilitate meetings, workshops and decision‑making forums.
• Produce clear project reporting, dashboards and highlight reports.
• Contribute to business cases, project initiation documents and strategic planning.
• Support the identification, profiling and tracking of project benefits.
• Coordinate testing, implementation and transition into business as usual.
• Make sure project documentation and other artefacts meet PMO standards.
• Contribute to assurance activity, audits and programme reporting.
• Look for opportunities to improve project delivery practices, tools and ways of working.
• Share knowledge and contribute to developing project management capability across the PMO.

What’s Essential

You’ll be someone who can bring structure to complex projects, build good working relationships and keep things moving when there are competing priorities.

We’re looking for:

• A track record of delivering projects from start to finish within a structured environment.
• Experience of working within a PMO, programme or governance‑led environment.
• Confidence managing risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies, with the judgement to know when something needs to be escalated.
• Experience leading cross‑functional or matrix teams and bringing people together around shared outcomes.
• Experience of delivering transformation or change projects.
• Experience working in a complex organisation, ideally within the public sector.
• The ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and communicate clearly with different audiences.
• Strong project planning and delivery skills, with the ability to turn objectives into practical plans.
• A good understanding of PMO governance, stage gates, reporting and assurance.
• Strong organisational and problem‑solving skills, with an analytical approach to complex information.
• The ability to balance multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.
• An understanding of how to identify, measure and track benefits in a complex environment.
• Working knowledge of recognised project management approaches, such as PRINCE2 or Agile.
• Confidence using Microsoft Office to produce reports and presentations and manage project activity.

Location

The location for this role is 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.

• 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.

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.

Our Values and Behaviours

• 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).