Strategic Lead - Chief Executive and Mayoral Office

The Strategic Lead - Chief Executive and Mayoral Office will work directly with the Chief Executive, Mayoral Team, and Senior Leaders at West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to ensure the delivery of a coordinated executive and strategic advisory function. This role is crucial in enabling the Chief Executive and the mayoral office to successfully discharge their functions and achieve the WMCA's ambitions for the benefit of the whole region. The post holder will provide comprehensive horizon scanning to further the strategic vision of WMCA and ensure the Chief Executive is fully aware of future matters that may impact that vision.

What you will be doing. 

• Lead, manage, and coordinate the Chief Executive Team, supporting the delivery of Mayoral and Chief Executive priorities and initiatives.
• Provide day-to-day leadership of the Operational Unit of the Mayoral Office, ensuring continuous service development and improvement.
• Ensure the effective running of the Chief Executive Office with overall responsibility for advisory, operational, communication, and engagement functions.
• Provide effective leadership to the Chief Executive Office team, ensuring high standards of work and performance.
• Support in managing the Chief Executive’s relationships with local partners, regional and sector bodies, and regional and national government.
• Act as a key point of liaison between the Mayor & Executive Office and the Senior Leadership Team.
• Engage effectively with colleagues across the Combined Authority to assist in the development and delivery of all relevant Mayoral and Chief Executive strategies and plans.
• Provide high-quality advice on all key aspects of policy, strategy, and decision-making.
• Develop strong, effective, and influential working relationships, contributing to corporate leadership and collaborative working across WMCA.
• Represent the interests and priorities of the Mayor and the Combined Authority, working closely with relevant teams to ensure clear communication.
• Manage, monitor, and control all financial resources and budgets for the Chief Executive Office.

What’s essential.

• Experience in leading and managing teams in a political environment.
• Proven ability to lead teams with a busy and demanding workload and fast-changing priorities.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders such as Government Ministers and senior business leaders.
• Highly developed communication skills with the ability to lead, influence, negotiate, and challenge.
• Excellent team leadership skills with evidence of leading by example.
• Ability to build collaborative, trusting, and productive relationships with Senior Leaders.
• Highly organised, able to prioritise and handle change, and lead a team to work effectively under pressure.
• Budget management skills to deliver high-quality service within allocated resources.
• Analytical skills to interpret management information and produce management reports.
• Understanding and political awareness of the complexities involved in working within a combined authority.

Location.

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane with at least 4 days a week spent in the office.

Politically Restricted Post

This is a politically restricted post in accordance with Section 2(1) (b) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Employees in politically restricted posts are prevented in having any active political role either in or outside of work.

How to apply. 

Applying for a role with WMCA is straight forward. Follow these steps to get started.

• Create your Careers Account. Register with your name, email address, and a password.
• Build your Profile. Upload your CV to help populate your career and education details.
• Write your Supporting Statement. Make sure to address each of the required essential criteria.
• Submit your application. Do one final check and once complete, click submit.

Anonymised Applications.

Your uploaded CV won’t be visible after submission. Our process is anonymised, and only the information in your profile is used for shortlisting. Be thorough in each section. it’s your chance to showcase your skills and experience.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

We cannot stop anyone from using AI help write application content. Used right, it can be a great tool. If you choose to use AI, then use it as a helper rather than relying on it wholly to write your application.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting. For help on how to write a supporting statement, please visit the FAQs section of our careers site.

Reasonable adjustments.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team (careers@wmca.org.uk).

Salary and benefits.

We advertise salary ranges, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees. Requests for salaries above the maximum advertised range will not be considered.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).
• 28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more), giving you have ample time to relax.
• Ethical saving options and healthcare plans.
• Discounted gym membership.
• An option to buy a bicycle, including e-bikes and adapted pedal cycles, at a discounted rate.
• 3 days of paid leave each year to volunteer.
• Interest free financing through SmartTech to buy the latest technology
• Discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers, and more.  

For more information, please visit the benefits page on our career site.

Why join WMCA?

WMCA is laser-focused on improving the West Midlands, bringing economic growth, jobs, homes, and better journeys to the region. We target local needs where it matters most, ensuring everyone has a job that pays well and has access to safe and affordable places they can call home.

We put people and place at the heart of everything we do, working hand in hand with our partners to direct funding where it's needed most. What you do, really matters. Your expertise will help make a big difference, improving people's lives, every day.

Creating an inclusive workplace.

WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as the RACE Code Quality Mark, Armed Forces Covenant (Gold status) and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We’re a Disability Confident Employer with ‘Leader’ status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria.

We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional "perfect candidate" mould.

We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying

Right to Work in the UK

Proof of Right to Work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) would be required to hold a relevant Visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).