Senior Delivery Manager - Higher Level Skills

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA); Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

EV car benefit scheme

Healthcare plans

3 days volunteering leave

Costco membership

Job summary

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is seeking a senior leader to shape higher-level skills and technical education across the region. You will align colleges, universities, providers and employers to meet growth needs and commission new curricula that address regional gaps.

You will drive strategic delivery, influence national policy, and translate complex requirements into practical investment decisions.

Qualifications

• Significant experience at senior level within skills/settings.
• Proven ability to convene and negotiate with stakeholders to deliver outcomes.
• Experience with publicly funded skills investment programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead WMCA’s strategy and delivery for higher-level skills (Level 3+ and Level 4–5 technical education).
• Drive system-wide alignment between colleges, universities, providers and employers.
• Commission and curate new curriculum offers addressing regional gaps in higher-level provision.
• Champion higher-level skills in WMCA priorities and develop a regional skills ecosystem.
• Track national drivers of higher-level skills and translate policy into practical actions.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic leadership

Policy analysis

Data-driven decisions

Public sector collaboration

Education

Degree in public policy / public administration / education

Job description

The West Midlands economy is moving towards a higher-skilled labour market, with future growth increasingly concentrated in roles requiring capabilities at Level 3 and above. This role provides an opportunity to lead and drive the WMCA area response, ensuring our skills system supports economic growth, improves access to higher-level opportunities and meets the changing needs of employers and residents.

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 play a leading and influential part in designing and coordinating how the region responds to the Government’s commitment to reform skills and employment support systems.

You will provide authoritative advice on the national skills system, qualifications and pathways from Level 3 into Level 4 and above, including higher technical education, higher education and progression into good work. You will be the organisation’s go‑to person for this agenda, turning your expertise and deep system knowledge into practical strategies, programmes and investment decisions.

This is a role for someone who can provide visible leadership and drive activity forward. You will bring partners together, influence regional and national decision‑making and ensure that colleges, universities, training providers and employers are working towards shared priorities.

The role requires strong knowledge of our growth sectors and future‑facing skills to build a more strategic, coordinated and inclusive skills system. You will use data and evidence to improve choice, flexibility and alignment with the region's growth sectors, and understand the importance of workforce entry, adult upskilling and the changing role of technology in the labour market.

You will help steer the curriculum and drive commissioning, ensuring investment in higher level skills delivers measurable outcomes and sustainable economic growth. Curriculum innovation is vital for our future‑facing provision, so you will be energised by testing ideas and bringing new offers to the market.

This is a dynamic role and as a leader with significant people management experience, you will be comfortable establishing clear expectations and supporting development, whilst navigating differing working styles, resolving challenging situations constructively and creating an environment in which people are accountable, supported and able to perform at their best.

What you will be doing.

• Lead WMCA’s strategy and delivery for higher-level skills (Level 3+), including Level 4–5 technical education and progression into higher education and good work.
• Drive system-wide alignment between colleges, universities, providers, and employers to meet regional economic and productivity needs.
• Commission and curate new curriculum offers and oversee programmes that address regional gaps in higher-level provision and tackle systemic barriers to participation.
• Champion the role of higher-level skills in delivering WMCA priorities and lay the foundations to build/develop a higher-level skills ecosystem to meet the needs of residents and business, supporting inclusive growth.
• Track and respond to national drivers of the higher-level skills agenda, including making the most of national policy and high-quality research.

What’s essential.

• Significant experience of working at a senior level within skills settings, translating employer needs into skills solutions
• Extensive experience of convening and negotiating with stakeholders at a senior level to drive and achieve positive outcomes
• Experience of publicly funded skills investment programmes to support constructive partnerships
• A strategic thinker who can interpret Corporate Aims or Vision and translate into practical actions to remove obstacles and deliver required outcomes
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation and influencing skills
• Can act as a Subject Matter Expert with regard to skills development through an employer lens

Location.

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

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.

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,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).

Attached documents

SDM Higher Level Skills JD.pdf