Workforce Planning Manager - Police Staff

West Midlands Police; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

West Midlands Police in Birmingham is seeking a Workforce Planning Manager to lead the Force's workforce planning function, shaping the strategy and agenda using data, insight and forecasting to identify future workforce needs and support resource optimisation.

You will lead a team and collaborate with stakeholders across the Force to develop innovative approaches to workforce challenges, ensuring planning supports policing priorities and service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Force workforce planning strategy, ensuring plans align with organisational priorities and future policing demands.
• Provide expert workforce planning advice and insight to senior leaders, using data, analysis and forecasting to inform strategic decisions.
• Lead and develop the Workforce Planning team, ensuring effective delivery of processes and high‑quality professional advice.
• Develop and evaluate workforce initiatives, using data, metrics and evidence to identify opportunities for improvement and optimise resources.
• Build effective partnerships across the Force, engaging senior stakeholders to develop a proactive, strategic approach to workforce planning and resourcing.

Job description

Job Description

Introduction to the Department

The Workforce Planning team plays a key role in ensuring West Midlands Police has the right people, with the right skills, in the right roles and in the right places to meet the needs for our communities. Working across the Force, the team provides specialist workforce planning, resourcing and HR data expertise to support effective decision-making and the long‑term development of our workforce.

About the Role

As Workforce Planning Manager, you will lead Force's workforce planning function and act as the subject matter expert shaping the strategy and agenda for workforce planning across the organisation. You will use workforce data, insight and forecasting to identify future workforce needs, support resource optimisation and provide strategic advice to senior leaders.

You will lead a team and work collaboratively with stakeholders across the Force to develop innovative approaches to workforce challenges, ensuring workforce planning directly supports organisational priorities and the delivery of effective policing.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Force workforce planning strategy, ensuring workforce plans align with organisational priorities and future policing demands.
• Provide expert workforce planning advice and insight to senior leaders, using workforce data, analysis and forecasting to inform strategic decisions.
• Lead and develop the Workforce Planning team, ensuring effective delivery of workforce planning processes and high‑quality professional advice.
• Develop and evaluate workforce initiatives, using data, metrics and evidence to identify opportunities for improvement and optimise resources.
• Build effective partnerships across the Force, engaging senior stakeholders to develop a proactive, strategic approach to workforce planning and resourcing.

Salary and Shifts

Salary: £57,186.00 - £60,912.00

Shifts: Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 16:00, Hybrid.

Selection Process

1. Online Application and Sift - You will complete an online application form, which will be reviewed against the skills, experience and behaviours required for the role. Closing Date: 21/10/2026, 23:59.
2. Interviews - Candidates who successfully pass the application stage will be invited to attend an interview and/or assessment. This will provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your suitability for the role. Interview Date: WC
3. Pre-Employment Checks - If you are selected as the preferred candidate, you will be required to successfully complete relevant pre-employment checks before receiving a formal offer. For internal candidates, some checks may not be required. Checks may include:
   • Vetting Checks - You must successfully complete the required level of Management Vetting and Counter Terrorism clearance before starting the role. This may include providing information relating to your background and financial history a spart of the vetting process.
   • Medical Checks - Appointment to this role is subject to successfully completing medical checks. This may include a drugs, test and where required a fitness assessment and hearing test.
   • Reference Checks - You will need to provide details covering at least five years of employment, education or other relevant activity history.

We are committed to supporting candidates throughout the recruitment process and reasonable adjustments are available for those who need them.

About Us

West Midlands Police is the second‑largest police force in England, serving more than 2.9 million people across Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull and Walsall. Every day, our people work together to keep our communities safe, protect vulnerable people, prevent crime and bring offenders to justice.

We answer more than 2,000 emergency calls every day and provide policing 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Whether responding to emergencies, supporting victims, investigating crime or working behind the scenes, every role plays a vital part in delivering an outstanding service to the public.

We're proud of the progress we've made in reducing crime, improving emergency response times and increasing arrest rates. These achievements are only possible because of the dedication, professionalism and expertise of our officers, staff and volunteers. As we continue to transform the way we police, we're looking for talented people who are committed to making a real difference.

Why Join West Midlands Police?

A career with West Midlands Police is about more than a job, it's an opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the lives of millions of people. Whatever your role, you'll contribute to keeping our communities safe while developing your own skills and career.

• Meaningful work that makes a difference every day.
• A diverse range of career opportunities across policing and professional support services.
• High‑quality training, development and opportunities to progress.
• A supportive and inclusive working environment where everyone is encouraged to achieve their potential.
• Competitive pay, generous annual leave, excellent pension arrangements and a wide range of employee benefits.
• The opportunity to work alongside dedicated colleagues who share a common purpose.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We believe that a diverse workforce helps us better understand and serve the communities we protect. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to succeed.

As a Disability Confident Leader, the highest level of the Government's Disability Confident scheme, we are committed to removing barriers to employment and supporting disabled applicants and employees throughout their careers. Through our Disability Confident Interview Scheme, applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for a role will normally be offered an interview, subject to the scheme's terms and any recruitment constraints.

Our Diversity and Inclusion Vision is to maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness, respect and inclusion, enabling us to deliver the best possible service to our communities.

Professional Standards

Working in policing is a position of trust. Our officers and staff are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and accountability. Successful applicants will be subject to appropriate vetting and are expected to uphold the ethical standards and responsibilities that come with serving the public.

Recruitment and the Use of AI

We recognise that many candidates use AI tools to support activities such as proofreading and improving the presentation of written applications. This is acceptable, provided the content you submit accurately reflects your own knowledge, skills and experience.

Applications must be your own work. Any evidence of plagiarism, false or misleading information, or the inappropriate use of AI during assessments or selection activities where it is not permitted may result in your application being rejected.

Benefits

We know that supporting our people is essential to delivering the best service to our communities. That's why we offer a comprehensive range of employee benefits, wellbeing support and development opportunities to help you thrive throughout your career.