Strategic Policy Lead: Regional Reform & Growth

West Midlands Combined Authority; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LG Pension

Shared AVC

28 days annual leave

EV car benefit

Healthcare plans

Gym discounts

Mortgage advice

Bike purchase

Volunteer leave

Tech discounts

Costco membership

Boundless access

Eye care

Job summary

West Midlands Combined Authority is recruiting a Policy Manager to join the Employment, Skills, Health and Communities Directorate in Birmingham. You will shape regional policy on public service reform, devolution, and inclusive growth, leading evidence-based strategy across employment, skills and health.

Working in the Insight and Intelligence Team, you will develop policy positions, engage with senior stakeholders, analyse national developments, and produce strategic papers for leaders and

Qualifications

• Significant experience in policy development, strategy or public sector reform.
• Strong understanding of devolution, public service reform, local government, employment or economic development.
• Proven ability to analyse complex systems and develop coherent policy responses.
• Strong track record of using research, evidence and insight to influence policy.
• Excellent written communication for senior audiences.
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-boundary collaboration.
• Ability to navigate political environments and advise on sensitive issues.
• Experience managing competing priorities in fast-paced contexts.
• Collaborative approach with partnerships and matrix-management.
• Understanding of systems leadership and place-based working.

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

Public sector reform

Devolution

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical capability

Written communication

Cross-sector collaboration

Systems thinking

Strategic influencing

Place-based working

Job description

West Midlands Combined Authority is recruiting a Policy Manager to join the Employment, Skills, Health and Communities Directorate in Birmingham. You will shape regional policy on public service reform, devolution, and inclusive growth, leading evidence-based strategy across employment, skills and health.

Working in the Insight and Intelligence Team, you will develop policy positions, engage with senior stakeholders, analyse national developments, and produce strategic papers for leaders and