Data Insight and Assurance Lead

Can you turn complex data into insight that drives better decisions?

At the West Midlands Combined Authority, data isn't just about reporting what has happened. Used well, it helps us understand performance, identify emerging risks and opportunities and make better, evidence-led decisions.

We’re looking for a Data Insight and Assurance Lead to lead the development, assurance and presentation of the insight that supports WMCA and the Bus Company Board in overseeing Bus Company performance. 

This is a role for someone who can see beyond individual numbers and datasets, bring information together from multiple sources and turn complexity into a clear and compelling story for decision-makers.

You'll lead insight across safety, operational, financial and customer performance, ensuring senior stakeholders have reliable evidence on which to base decisions, challenge performance and identify where action is required. 

This position is as a 2 year fixed term contract or secondment 

What you will be doing. 

You'll take the lead in developing WMCA's client data and insight approach for oversight of the Bus Company, aligned to agreed corporate intelligence, evaluation and data frameworks. 

You'll:

•    Turn data into insight, identifying trends, exceptions, risks and opportunities across safety, operational, financial and customer performance.

•    Look ahead, not just backwards, developing forward-looking insight and early-warning indicators to help identify emerging risks before they become material.

•    Build confidence in the evidence, defining data requirements and assuring the completeness, accuracy, consistency and reliability of reported information.

•    Tell the story behind the data, presenting complex information through concise narrative, dashboards and accessible insight for Board, senior and operational audiences.

•    Influence action, providing constructive, evidence-based challenge and escalating significant issues through the appropriate governance routes.

•    Bring evidence together, triangulating information from different sources to develop a clearer view of performance.

•    Strengthen performance and assurance, helping establish measures, baselines, targets, tolerances, reporting frequencies and escalation thresholds.

•    Work collaboratively, building trusted relationships with the Bus Company, WMCA colleagues, governance teams, data owners and wider partners. 

What’s essential.

You'll combine strong analytical capability with excellent communication and influencing skills.

You’ll be comfortable working with complex quantitative and qualitative information, but equally comfortable stepping away from the detail to understand the bigger strategic and operational picture.

You'll have experience of:

•    Working with complex performance, operational, financial, safety or customer data to support governance, assurance, Board reporting or senior decision-making.

•    Defining data requirements, commissioning inputs and validating information.

•    Producing concise Board-level insight that clearly distinguishes fact, interpretation, risk and recommended action.

•    Applying analytical, evaluation, data-quality and information-governance standards.

•    Working across organisational boundaries to improve reporting, assurance and performance.

•    Communicating complex information clearly to different audiences. 

You'll need strong knowledge of performance management, data assurance, information governance and controls, alongside the curiosity to identify patterns, trends, risks and opportunities from disparate data sources. 

You'll be educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge, skills and experience in a relevant discipline such as data analysis, performance management, transport, business, economics, finance, statistics, governance or public administration. 

Experience of business intelligence, data visualisation or comparable analytical reporting tools would be advantageous. 

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.