Project Officer

West Midlands Combined Authority; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

EV car benefit scheme

Healthcare plans

Gym membership discounts

Costco membership

Job summary

West Midlands Combined Authority is seeking an experienced Project Officer to support the development and delivery of infrastructure projects and business cases, maintaining stakeholder relationships and assisting project teams in achieving outcomes.

You will work closely with the Project Manager across Rail, Roads or Metro, gaining exposure to project controls, governance, and reporting while contributing to business case development and project documentation.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting and coordinating the work of multi-disciplinary project teams.
• Experience supporting the management of project controls, governance and reporting.
• Experience working with internal and external stakeholders, partners or funders on behalf of a project.
• Experience supporting project teams with the completion of project deliverables in line with governance and approval methods.
• Good numeracy skills and an understanding of project management methods and controls.
• The ability to work with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and partners.
• Good organisational, written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to work well under pressure, demonstrating agility, drive and a solution-focused attitude.
• A good level of understanding and experience of Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Build effective working relationships with internal colleagues, local authorities, delivery partners, the supply chain and other stakeholders, helping to keep people informed, engaged and aligned throughout the project.
• Support the Project Manager and Programme Lead with project plans, governance, resources, controls and delivery processes.
• Coordinate key project activities across scope, cost, time and quality, identifying issues and helping colleagues develop practical mitigating actions.
• Work across project, programme, commercial, procurement, technical and enabling teams to support the completion of project deliverables.
• Produce accurate, clear and transparent project reporting, helping colleagues understand progress, performance, risks and priorities.
• Represent the project and deputise for the Project Manager at boards and meetings when required, giving you valuable experience of taking the lead within a project setting.

Skills

Project coordination

Stakeholder management

Governance & reporting

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Project management qualification

Tools

Outlook

Teams

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Are you an experienced project officer, or someone in the project space who is an organised and confident communicator looking to take the next step in your project management career?

As a Project Officer, you will support the development and delivery of infrastructure projects and business cases, maintain effective stakeholder relationships and assist project teams in achieving agreed outcomes.

Working closely with the Project Manager, you may gain experience across the full project lifecycle across a variety of transport programme covering Rail, Roads or Metro. The role involves supporting project controls, governance and reporting activities, contributing to the development of business cases and project documentation, representing the project at meetings and providing cover for the Project Manager when required.

This role is ideal for someone with a strong foundation and knowledge of project management, looking to put those skills into practice. The successful candidate will work closely with a diverse range of stakeholders, build effective working relationships across a wide range of teams and contribute to the successful delivery of key project activities and outcomes

What you will be doing

• Build effective working relationships with internal colleagues, local authorities, delivery partners, the supply chain and other stakeholders, helping to keep people informed, engaged and aligned throughout the project.
• Support the Project Manager and Programme Lead with project plans, governance, resources, controls and delivery processes.
• Coordinate key project activities across scope, cost, time and quality, identifying issues and helping colleagues develop practical mitigating actions.
• Work across project, programme, commercial, procurement, technical and enabling teams to support the completion of project deliverables.
• Produce accurate, clear and transparent project reporting, helping colleagues understand progress, performance, risks and priorities.
• Represent the project and deputise for the Project Manager at boards and meetings when required, giving you valuable experience of taking the lead within a project setting.

What's essential

• Experience supporting and coordinating the work of multi-disciplinary project teams.
• Experience supporting the management of project controls, governance and reporting.
• Experience working with internal and external stakeholders, partners or funders on behalf of a project.
• Experience supporting project teams with the completion of project deliverables in line with governance and approval methods.
• Good numeracy skills and an understanding of project management methods and controls.
• The ability to work with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and partners.
• Good organisational, written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to work well under pressure, demonstrating agility, drive and a solution-focused attitude.
• A good level of understanding and experience of Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Experience of delivering major infrastructure projects as part of a project team, particularly within Rail, Roads or Metro, would be beneficial but is not essential. Familiarity with procurement or contract methods, preferably NEC, and a professional project management qualification or equivalent experience are also desirable.

Location

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3SD 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.
• EV car benefit scheme
• Healthcare plans.
• 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.

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

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).