Strategic Leader, Public Service Transformation

Jobsgopublic Limited; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

EV car benefit

Healthcare plans

Discounted gym membership

Volunteer leave

Job summary

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is advertising a Strategic Lead – Changing Futures to coordinate and deliver a high‑profile, cross‑sector programme across the West Midlands. You will guide system change, oversee governance, and lead a multidisciplinary team while embedding lived experience and evidence into delivery.

The role requires senior stakeholder collaboration across local government, health, justice and central government, with a focus on sustainable reform and improving outcomes

Qualifications

• Proven experience of leading complex, multi-stakeholder programmes in public sector environments.
• Experience of programme mobilisation, governance and delivery planning.
• Experience of working with senior stakeholders across local government, NHS or central government.
• Experience of public service reform, system change or integrated delivery programmes.
• Experience of evaluation, learning and evidence‑based programme design.
• Experience of working with or within local government, police, criminal justice, health or combined authorities.
• Strong programme management and strategic planning skills.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, relationship‑building and influencing skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in complex and politically sensitive environments.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Understanding of public service systems, governance and funding structures.
• Ability to lead and develop a multidisciplinary team and create a culture of collaboration, learning and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall coordination and delivery of the Changing Futures Programme across the West Midlands.
• Provide strategic leadership on system change, supporting partners to improve coordination and outcomes across services.
• Oversee the development and delivery of the programme's delivery plan, ensuring alignment with MHCLG expectations and national requirements.
• Establish and maintain effective programme governance, reporting and assurance arrangements.
• Lead and develop the WMCA multidisciplinary programme team.
• Ensure lived experience, co-production, evidence and learning are embedded throughout the programme.
• Build and strengthen strategic relationships across local government, health, policing, criminal justice, the VCFSE sector and central government.
• Oversee the management of the annual MHCLG grant across the Combined Authority and local authority partners, ensuring effective financial oversight and compliance with funding conditions.
• Provide strategic advice, briefings and updates to WMCA senior leadership, governance boards and the Mayor's Office.
• Identify, assess and manage programme risks, dependencies and challenges.
• Oversee programme monitoring, evaluation and learning, ensuring insights are used to improve delivery and inform wider public service reform.
• Lead system mapping and identify barriers to effective delivery, working with partners to develop solutions.
• Ensure programme learning is captured, shared and used to inform future decision-making across the region.
• Support the development of local delivery models that reflect programme principles and the needs of people experiencing severe multiple disadvantage.
• Work with partners to identify opportunities for budget alignment and, where feasible, pooled budgets to support sustainable new ways of working.
• Support the development of investment cases that demonstrate the economic and social value of prevention and early intervention.
• Represent WMCA at regional and national forums and contribute to the wider Changing Futures evidence base and public service reform agenda.

Job description

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is advertising a Strategic Lead – Changing Futures to coordinate and deliver a high‑profile, cross‑sector programme across the West Midlands. You will guide system change, oversee governance, and lead a multidisciplinary team while embedding lived experience and evidence into delivery.

The role requires senior stakeholder collaboration across local government, health, justice and central government, with a focus on sustainable reform and improving outcomes