Strategic Policy Lead: Regional Reform & Growth

West Midlands Combined Authority; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Shared Cost AVCS

28 days paid annual leave

Discounted gym membership

Costco membership

Eye Care Scheme

Volunteer leave

Job summary

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) seeks a Policy Manager to join the Employment, Skills, Health and Communities Directorate to shape policy during devolution and reform. You will lead policy development across major strategic challenges, engaging senior leaders, partners and stakeholders to influence regional priorities.

Based in Birmingham, this high-profile role requires systems thinking, analytical capability and strong written communication to produce papers, briefings and

Qualifications

• Significant experience in policy development, strategy or public sector reform within a government, public sector, research or think-tank environment.
• Strong understanding of the policy landscape relating to devolution, public service reform, local government, employment, skills or economic development.
• Proven ability to analyse complex systems and develop coherent policy responses to multifaceted challenges.
• Strong track record of using research, analysis, evidence and insight to influence policy and strategic decision-making.
• Excellent written communication skills, with experience producing high-quality strategic papers, briefings and recommendations for senior audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead policy development on major strategic challenges affecting the West Midlands, including public service reform, devolution, economic inclusion and workforce transformation.
• Develop evidence-based policy positions that support greater regional influence over employment, skills and wider public services.
• Work with senior leaders and partners to shape responses to emerging government priorities and reforms.
• Analyse national policy developments and assess their implications for the region, informing strategic responses and recommendations.
• Support the development of integrated approaches across employment, skills, health, economic development and local government agendas.
• Use research, data, evaluation and insight to identify system-wide challenges and opportunities for reform.
• Produce high-quality policy papers, briefings, strategic reports and advice for senior leadership, elected members and external stakeholders.
• Build productive relationships with local authorities, government departments, public sector partners, employers, providers and representative bodies.
• Facilitate collaboration across organisations and sectors to address complex cross-cutting challenges that cannot be resolved by a single institution acting alone.
• Represent the organisation in regional and national policy discussions, networks and strategic forums.

Skills

Policy development

Strategy

Public sector reform

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical capability

Written communication

Job description

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) seeks a Policy Manager to join the Employment, Skills, Health and Communities Directorate to shape policy during devolution and reform. You will lead policy development across major strategic challenges, engaging senior leaders, partners and stakeholders to influence regional priorities.

Based in Birmingham, this high-profile role requires systems thinking, analytical capability and strong written communication to produce papers, briefings and