Strategic Support Manager

Reed Talent Solutions; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

West Midlands Growth Company is seeking a Strategic Support Manager to work with the Chief Executive and Leadership Team, ensuring briefing, governance, and strategic delivery across priority initiatives. You will coordinate across senior stakeholders, prepare briefing materials, and help translate strategy into action.

You’ll build trusted relationships with public, private and academic partners, support corporate planning, and drive delivery of WMGC’s growth agenda in a high-profile,

Qualifications

• Experience working with senior leaders in a fast-paced, high-profile environment.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills with independence to make informed decisions.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience preparing high-quality reports, board papers, presentations and briefing documents.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building capability.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive strategic support to the Chief Executive and Leadership Team.
• Prepare briefing papers, reports, presentations and materials for key meetings.
• Attend meetings, record decisions and ensure actions are followed through to completion.
• Support governance processes and organisational decision-making.
• Coordinate leadership activity with Executive Assistants and ensure priorities are managed.
• Act as a key connection between the Leadership Team and colleagues across WMGC.
• Monitor regional and policy developments impacting WMGC's activities.
• Support cross-organisational projects and strategic initiatives with research and delivery support.
• Build relationships with stakeholders across public, private and academic sectors.
• Collaborate with Extended Leadership Team to drive alignment and organisational effectiveness.

Skills

Experience with senior leaders

Organisational skills

Strategic thinking

Written and verbal communication

Reports and briefing

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Multi-stakeholder environments

Credibility and influence

Collaboration across teams

Education

Relevant degree or professional qualification

Job description

Who are we?

The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) is the region's economic development delivery organisation.

From April 2026, we will lead the delivery of regionally commissioned economic development activity aligned to the West Midlands Growth Plan, working in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority and local authorities.

We are building a sharper, business-focused organisation that attracts investment, supports high-growth companies and drives measurable economic impact.

If you want your work to shape how growth is delivered across one of the UK's most important regions, this is your opportunity!

The Role

As our new Strategic Support Manager, you'll work closely with the Chief Executive, Directors, and wider Leadership Team to ensure they are fully supported, briefed, and equipped to deliver WMGC's ambitious objectives.

This is a high-profile role sitting at the centre of the organisation, providing strategic coordination, executive support, and project management across a range of priorities. You'll attend key meetings, support governance and decision-making processes, coordinate leadership activity, and help drive progress on major organisational initiatives.

You'll be a trusted partner to senior leaders, able to navigate complex stakeholder environments, manage competing priorities, and turn strategy into action.

You’ll Be Involved In:

• Supporting strategic leadership across one of the UK's most important economic development organisations.
• Coordinating corporate priorities and ensuring key decisions are translated into action.
• Supporting the successful delivery of WMGC's Corporate Plan and growth agenda.
• Working with senior leaders, public sector partners, universities, businesses and stakeholders across the region.
• Delivering research, insight, communications and briefing materials that inform strategic decisions.
• Driving collaboration across teams to ensure a joined-up approach to organisational delivery.

What You'll Be Doing

• Providing comprehensive strategic support to the Chief Executive and Leadership Team.
• Preparing high-quality briefing papers, reports, presentations and supporting materials for key meetings and events.
• Attending internal and external meetings with members of the Leadership Team, recording decisions and ensuring actions are followed through to completion.
• Supporting effective governance processes and organisational decision-making.
• Working closely with Executive Assistants to coordinate leadership activity and ensure priorities are managed effectively.
• Acting as a key point of connection between the Leadership Team and colleagues across the organisation.
• Monitoring regional, national and policy developments that may impact WMGC's activities and priorities.
• Supporting cross-organisational projects and strategic initiatives through research, coordination and delivery support.
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders across the public, private and academic sectors.
• Working collaboratively with the Extended Leadership Team to drive alignment and organisational effectiveness.
• Supporting Leadership Team engagement at visits, events and stakeholder meetings as required.
• Helping ensure the successful delivery of WMGC's Corporate Plan and wider regional growth ambitions.

What You’ll Bring

Essential:

• Experience working with senior leaders in a fast-paced and high-profile environment.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the confidence to work independently and make informed decisions.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience preparing high-quality reports, board papers, presentations and briefing documents.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building capability.
• Excellent attention to detail and a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
• Experience working within complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Ability to build credibility and influence with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively across teams.

Desirable:

• Understanding of economic development and regional growth agendas.
• Knowledge of national, regional and local economic policy landscapes.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Experience working within the public sector, economic development, regeneration, place promotion or related environments.
• Professional qualification, relevant degree, or equivalent experience.

What You’ll Bring

Essential:

• Experience working with senior leaders in a fast-paced and high-profile environment.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the confidence to work independently and make informed decisions.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience preparing high-quality reports, board papers, presentations and briefing documents.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building capability.
• Excellent attention to detail and a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
• Experience working within complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Ability to build credibility and influence with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively across teams.

Desirable:

• Understanding of economic development and regional growth agendas.
• Knowledge of national, regional and local economic policy landscapes.
• Evidence of