Client Lead

Help shape a critical transport relationship for the West Midlands.

At the West Midlands Combined Authority, transport sits at the heart of how we connect communities and support the region.

We’re looking for an accomplished Client Lead to play a pivotal role in the relationship between WMCA and the Bus Company, providing senior specialist leadership across governance, change, investment and operational interfaces.

Working at the centre of a complex, multi-partner environment, you’ll bring together the right people, insight and expertise to help ensure decisions are well informed, risks are understood and change is effectively coordinated.

You’ll also deputise for the Head of Client and support WMCA’s ownership oversight through engagement with the Bus Company Board, Board Chair and Subcommittee Chairs. 

This position is a 2 year Fixed Term Contract

What you will be doing. 

No two days will be quite the same.

You might be providing senior advice on an emerging risk, coordinating activity across multiple WMCA and Bus Company functions, supporting an important Board discussion, or helping ensure mobilisation and demobilisation activity is ready for delivery.

Your responsibilities will include:

•    Acting as a senior subject matter expert across the WMCA/Bus Company ownership and client interface.

•    Supporting senior leaders, Board and Subcommittee Chairs with clear advice, risk insight and recommendations.

•    Coordinating complex change, including franchising tranche mobilisation and demobilisation.

•    Supporting WMCA investment activity relating to fleet and depots.

•    Maintaining strategic oversight of risks, dependencies, actions and decisions across organisational boundaries.

•    Turning complex operational, financial, governance and commercial matters into clear insight that enables effective decisions.

•    Supporting Board and Subcommittee preparation, forward planning and follow-through.

•    Developing and improving procedures governing WMCA’s oversight of the Bus Company and the operational interface between the organisations. 

What’s essential.

We’re looking for someone who knows how to create clarity in complexity.

You’ll have substantial experience operating at senior specialist or deputy head level, ideally within a politically sensitive, multi-partner or similarly complex environment. You’ll combine sound judgement with the credibility and communication skills needed to advise senior leaders and Chairs.

You’ll be someone who can see the bigger picture while maintaining a firm grip on delivery.

To succeed, you’ll need:

•    Substantial experience supporting governance, senior stakeholder relationships and complex decision-making.

•    Proven experience leading across complex change, mobilisation/demobilisation, transition or operational readiness.

•    Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, including the ability to achieve alignment without direct authority.

•    A strong understanding of governance, assurance, risk escalation and Board or committee servicing.

•    Confidence dealing with sensitive, high-profile or commercially significant issues.

•    The ability to analyse complex information and turn it into concise, evidence-based advice and clear recommendations.

•    Degree-level education or equivalent relevant professional experience.

Knowledge or experience of transport, public-sector governance, client-side delivery, franchising, commercial operations, fleet/depot activity or a comparable regulated service environment would be an advantage. Relevant project, programme, governance, risk, change-management or transport qualifications are also desirable. 

Location. 

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3SD with at least 2 days a week spent in the office.

How to apply. 

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

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

Please note, we reserve the right to close any vacancy from further submissions when we have received sufficient applications from which to make a shortlist. Please apply without delay if you wish to be considered for this role. 

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 to 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).
• Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme where you can build an additional pot of money alongside your pension with contributions exempt from Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs). 
• 28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more) + Statutory days. 
• EV car benefit scheme
• Healthcare plans.
• Discounted gym membership, will writing, and mortgage advice.
• 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. You can now also obtain a Costco membership through the WMCA.   
• Boundless unlocks unlimited entry to top-rated UK attractions and loads of extra benefits and discounts.
• Eye Care Scheme, offering a free eye test and a financial contribution towards your glasses. 

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.

Our Values and Behaviours. 

Fostering an environment where people feel valued, included, supported, and proud to contribute to our region is important to us at the WMCA. Our behaviours are more than statements; they guide how we work, make decisions, and treat one another - they set the standards we hold ourselves to and the experience we want others to have.

• Collaborative - We work as one organisation. Together we build trust, connection and shared purpose across teams, partners and residents to create the biggest impact for our region.
  
  
• Driven - We are focused on outcomes. We perform at our best to unlock productivity and delivery, achieving the greatest regional impact. 
  
  
• Inclusive - We value difference. Creating an environment where people belong, and feel psychologically safe, so we can all thrive and shape a West Midlands built for everyone.
  
  
• Innovative - We are courageous. We embrace new ideas and challenge the status quo to continuously improve and shape the future of the West Midlands.

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 are also proud to be a Ban the Box employer, which means we do not ask about criminal convictions at the initial application stage, and will only ask after an offer is made as part of our onboarding checks, which helps us remove barriers for people with past convictions and supporting fair opportunities for all.

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

Sponsorship / Right to work requirements

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. As part of our commitment to supporting inclusive growth across the West Midlands, we are keen to attract talented individuals who can contribute to the region's future success.

For roles that meet the relevant skill and sponsorship requirements, we are also pleased to consider applications from overseas candidates who may require sponsorship to work in the UK. However, this post is not suitable for sponsorship and as such, applications that require sponsorship will not be considered due to not meeting the requirement threshold.