Senior Engagement Officer - Bus Franchising

West Midlands Combined Authority; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Shared Cost AVC scheme

28 days' annual leave + options to buy

EV car benefit scheme

Healthcare plans

Job summary

West Midlands Combined Authority is seeking a Senior Engagement Officer to shape bus services across the West Midlands. You will lead engagement activity, manage two Engagement Officers, and work with passengers, local authorities and partners to inform programme delivery.

The role sits within the Bus Franchising communications team and requires strategic, innovative outreach to diverse audiences. 2-year fixed term contract; office presence at 16 Summer Lane with 2 days in the office.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in communications, engagement or consultation roles.
• Proven stakeholder management and relationship-building track record.
• Experience developing and delivering engagement strategies with measurable impact.
• Experience evaluating engagement performance and driving improvement.
• Experience engaging with high-profile stakeholders including elected members.
• Experience working with community groups and representative organisations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Ability to influence, negotiate and build credibility with diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of consultation best practice and emerging engagement trends.
• Ability to work autonomously with confidentiality and diplomacy.
• A good team player with relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of engagement activity to support WMCA's Bus Franchising programme.
• Develop stakeholder mapping, engagement and influence strategies aligned to milestones.
• Provide strategic focus to statutory and non-statutory consultations.
• Build relationships with local authorities, elected representatives, transport partners and staff.
• Create and deliver tailored consultation plans for different audiences.
• Lead outreach to understand bus users and community needs across the West Midlands.
• Manage engagement risks and support mitigation planning.
• Line manage two Engagement Officers and develop the team.
• Lead campaigns, exhibitions, events and community activities from planning to evaluation.
• Monitor and evaluate engagement activity using insight and data.
• Research best practice and support programme innovation.
• Produce reports and recommendations demonstrating impact.
• Act as trusted advisor on engagement issues with communications teams and directors.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Engagement strategy

Public consultations

Relationship building

Communication (written)

Project management

Autonomy and diplomacy

Influencing and negotiating

Team leadership

Trend research

Reporting and recommendations

Job description

If you have a track record of successfully developing and delivering engagement strategies, stakeholder programmes and public consultations that create meaningful change, we would love to hear from you.

We are looking for a Senior Engagement Officer to play a key role in one of the most significant public transport transformation programmes in the West Midlands. Working within the Bus Franchising communications team, you will lead the development and delivery of engagement activity that helps shape the future of bus services across the region.

This role sits at the heart of a high‑profile programme, working across a complex political, operational and public environment. You will build and maintain strong relationships with passengers, communities, local authorities, elected representatives, transport partners, staff and other key stakeholders, ensuring their views inform decision-making and programme delivery.

You will work closely with the Strategic Communications Manager - Bus Franchising and line manage two Engagement Officers, providing strategic direction and ensuring engagement activities are delivered to the highest standard.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about public engagement, understands the importance of listening to communities, and can develop innovative approaches to reach diverse audiences across the West Midlands.

Please note, this is a 2‑year fixed term contract.

What you will be doing

• Lead the development and delivery of engagement activity to support the WMCA's Bus Franchising programme.
• Develop stakeholder mapping, engagement and influence strategies aligned to programme objectives and milestones.
• Provide a strategic focus to the delivery of statutory and non‑statutory consultations.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with influential stakeholders including local authority leaders, elected members, transport partners, bus operators, community organisations and staff.
• Create and deliver consultation plans tailored to different audiences and stakeholder groups.
• Lead the development of outreach activities to improve understanding of the needs of bus users and communities across the West Midlands.
• Manage engagement risks associated with high‑profile programme activity and support mitigation planning.
• Line manage and develop two Engagement Officers.
• Lead engagement campaigns, exhibitions, events and community activities from planning through to delivery and evaluation.
• Monitor and evaluate engagement activity, using insight and data to continuously improve approaches and outcomes.
• Research best practice and emerging trends in consultation and engagement to support innovation within the programme.
• Produce reports and recommendations that demonstrate impact and inform future engagement activity.
• Act as a trusted advisor on engagement issues, working closely with communications colleagues, directors and programme teams.

What's essential

• Significant experience working in a communications, engagement or consultation role.
• Proven experience of stakeholder management and relationship building.
• A track record of developing and delivering engagement strategies and consultation programmes with demonstrable impact.
• Experience of evaluating engagement performance and embedding continuous improvement.
• Experience engaging with high‑profile stakeholders, including elected members and senior leaders.
• Experience working with community groups and representative organisations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Ability to influence, negotiate and build credibility with a wide range of audiences.
• Knowledge of consultation best practice and emerging engagement trends.
• Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy, confidentiality, and diplomacy along with the ability to challenge and influence.
• A good team player able to build strong relationships

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.
• 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).