Senior GIS Analyst

West Midlands Combined Authority; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional authority for transport and infrastructure in Birmingham is seeking a Senior GIS Analyst to enhance geospatial insight and analysis. You'll lead GIS projects, collaborating within a forward-thinking Data Insight team. Candidates should have experience with GIS in a commercial setting, strong analytical skills, and relevant qualifications. This role involves developing GIS applications and maintaining databases, contributing to impactful projects like regional transport initiatives.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

28 days paid annual leave

Discounted gym membership

Healthcare plans

Qualifications

• Experience using GIS in a commercial environment.
• Experience with ESRI ArcGIS Enterprise platform.
• Knowledge of data licensing and data protection legislation.
• Ability to develop GIS web applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead geospatial analytics projects to support partners.
• Design and maintain GIS web applications.
• Manage direct reports and support their development.

Skills

GIS in a commercial environment

ESRI ArcGIS Enterprise

QGIS

Data analysis and management

Web-based mapping solutions

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Data visualisation

Education

Bachelors or Masters degree in GIS, Geography or related fields

Job description

Overview

We have a brand-new opportunity for a Senior GIS Analyst to join our growing, innovative Data Insight team. If you’re searching for a unique experience where you’ll be supporting the delivery of high-quality geospatial insight and analysis that informs strategy, policy, modelling and operational decision-making across the West Midlands Combined Authority, this is the job for you.

Our Data Insight team are forward thinking, and they are changing the way GIS is managed and maintained. As Senior GIS Analyst, you will provide project and technical leadership within the team to deliver best-in-class spatial analytics that supports policy, transport modelling and operational analytics. You will utilise a variety of analytical tools, techniques and methods to ensure that live or near to live data can be utilised interactively by a broad range of professional, academic and public users.

In this role, you’ll contribute to a diverse portfolio of projects, from spatial development strategy to innovative analysis using drone imagery. The team have been working collaboratively with the organisation to move GIS forward and have been focusing on producing and maintaining operational dashboards, mapping applications for the public and interactive and visual solutions. Within the Modelling and Mapping team, you will help research, prepare, and analyse data for teams across the organisation, help in upgrading systems and support the development of digital twins and future generation models. Some examples of our award-winning work include GIS systems developed for the Regional Transport Coordinate Centre.

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane with at least 1 day a week spent in the office.

What you will be doing

• Leading geospatial analytics projects to support our partners
• Take a key role in the GIS centre of excellence that brings together best practice from across the whole organisation
• Establish, lead and deliver data insight projects
• Specialise in the analysis of spatial and geo-referenced datasets, seeking to correlate and integrate these with other secondary and primary data sources to generate insight
• Design, develop and maintain GIS web applications to inform stakeholders’ planning and decision making
• Maintain the integrity of the GIS database using quality control procedures
• Manage up to two direct reports, supporting learning needs and personal and professional development
• Develop partnerships/relationships and maintain liaison with a network of partners, suppliers and stakeholders
• Respond efficiently to requests for data from colleagues, partners and stakeholders
• Develop and deliver training and support to users of the GIS spatial asset management data tools
• Write programmes/scripts to automate GIS processes and workflows
• Review and improve existing systems

What’s essential

• Previous employment using GIS in a commercial environment
• Experience with ESRI ArcGIS Enterprise platform including Desktop, Server and Online
• Experience with QGIS
• Experience of data capture, analysis and management of complex datasets across a variety of applications
• Experience of designing and developing web-based mapping solutions
• Experience of collecting and validating intelligence, assessing the credibility of information and reliability of sources
• Excellent at analysing complex data sets
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Demonstrable legal understanding of data licensing
• Knowledge of the relevant Acts of Parliament and related legislation for data protection
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyse data, determine data quality and apply the findings using and developing PC based analysis and graphics software
• Ability to interact with internal and external partners in a diplomatic and professional manner
• Excellent verbal, presentational and report writing skills
• Ability to determine and develop appropriate data visualisation to communicate data meaning effectively and efficiently
• Knowledge of performance information methodologies/statistical techniques
• Evidence of working as a member of a team to ensure shared goals are achieved
• Ability to prioritise own workload effectively, organise project-based priorities and work to tight deadlines
• Bachelors or Masters degree in GIS, Geography or related fields OR equivalent, relevant experience

Location

16 Summer Lane with at least 1 day a week spent in the office.

How to apply

1. Create your Careers Account. Register with your name, email address, and a password.
2. Build your Profile.Upload your CV to help populate your career and education details.
3. Write your Supporting Statement.Make sure to address each of the required essential criteria.
4. Submit your application.Do one final check and once complete, click submit.

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.

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.
• 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.

Our behaviours sit at the heart of our values, helping to shape how we work together as WMCA employees and setting clear expectations.

Collaborative

• Team Focused – working as part of team, managing and leading
• Service Driven – customer, resident and partner focused

Driven

• Empowered and Accountable – taking ownership and leading when needed
• Performance Focused – being ambitious and going the extra mile

Inclusive

• One Organisation Mindset – believe in each others expertise
• Open and Honest Communication – we do what we say we are going to do

Innovative

• Forward Thinking – embrace change and open to new possibilities
• Problem Solving – go for clear and simple whenever possible

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

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).