Strategic Advisor

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

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Shared Cost AVC scheme

28 days annual leave

Job summary

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is seeking a Strategic Advisor to lead high‑level collaboration on HS2 and major regional infrastructure programmes. You will coordinate stakeholders, present proposals to senior leadership and the public, and resolve barriers to delivery.

The role requires senior political engagement and strong negotiation skills, with a focus on data‑driven decision making. The successful candidate will work from Birmingham with a hybrid schedule, balancing office

Qualifications

• Proven ability to manage complex stakeholder networks.
• Strong analytical mindset and data-driven decision making.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead on strategic collaboration and advise stakeholders on HS2 and regional projects.
• Facilitate strategic programme decision-making.
• Resolve key strategic projects and barriers affecting benefits delivery.
• Represent WMCA at stakeholder briefings and provide guidance to local authorities.
• Present proposals to senior management, elected members and the public.
• Act as primary contact for key HS2 stakeholders.
• Identify, analyse and solve delivery barriers.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

Negotiation

Data analysis

Communication

Job description

What you will be doing

• Lead on strategic collaboration and advise key stakeholders to assess HS2 and wider large infrastructure project and programme within the region.
• Lead in the facilitation of strategic programme decision‑making.
• Lead on the resolution of key strategic projects/activities which if not delivered will impacts on the benefits delivered by HS2 and wider infrastructure projects and programmes
• Represent the WMCA at monthly stakeholder briefings, providing advice and direction to peers at local authorities.
• Lead in presenting proposals to senior management, elected members and the public through a variety of media.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for key strategic HS2 stakeholders.
• Identify, analyse and solve problems and barriers to delivery.

What’s essential

• Proven appreciation of HS2 and strategically important infrastructure projects and programmes and what they will deliver to this region
• Proven experience in strategic project/programme management across multiple stakeholder organisations.
• Proven experience of having worked in a senior political position with direct engagement with the public & private sectors.
• Proven experience in undertaking strategic project and programme negotiations.
• A proven track record of managing successful strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong negotiation, influencing, and relationship‑building skills.
• In‑depth knowledge of tools used to develop strategic projects and programmes at both regional and national levels.
• Proven ability and experience of innovation and exploring new ways of working.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and make data‑driven decisions to help solve complex problems.

Location.

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham 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 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 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.

Sponsorship / Right to work requirements

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. As part of our commitment to supporting inclusive growth across the West Midlands, we are keen to attract talented individuals who can contribute to the region's future success.

For roles that meet the relevant skill and sponsorship requirements, we are also pleased to consider applications from overseas candidates who may require sponsorship to work in the UK. However, this post is not suitable for sponsorship and as such, applications that require sponsorship will not be considered due to not meeting the requirement threshold.

Attached documents

JD - Strategic Advisor.pdf