Data, Insight and Information Governance Lead

Are you experienced in using data, insight and evidence to improve public services?

Can you bring organisations together to overcome barriers to data sharing and turn complex information into clear recommendations?

We are looking for a Data, Insight and Information Governance Lead to join the West Midlands Changing Futures Programme.

Changing Futures Phase 2 is a national programme funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government until March 2029. It aims to improve outcomes for adults experiencing multiple disadvantage, including homelessness, substance misuse, poor mental health, domestic abuse and involvement with the criminal justice system.

The West Midlands has been selected to deliver the programme for the first time, bringing together partners from housing, health, social care, local government, criminal justice and the voluntary sector to provide more joined-up, person-centred and trauma-informed support. The programme will focus on driving system change across Birmingham, Sandwell and Wolverhampton, helping services work more effectively together to improve outcomes for residents and reduce reliance on crisis-led interventions.

Based within the Office for Public Sector Innovation (OPSI), the Changing Futures team plays a key role in supporting public service reform through collaboration, innovation and learning. Working closely with colleagues and partners across the region, the team develops and shares insight, evidence and best practice to inform wider system change and improve outcomes for people facing complex challenges.

This is a regional role with the opportunity to shape how data, intelligence and evidence are used to understand need, improve outcomes and support wider public service reform.

You will act as the regional subject matter expert for data, insight and information governance. You will work across local government, health, housing, criminal justice and the voluntary and community sector to strengthen collaboration and make better use of information.

You will bring together data, lived experience and professional knowledge to support better decisions and system-wide learning.

This role is being advertised as a 2.5 year fixed term contract.

What you will be doing.

• Act as WMCA’s strategic lead for data, insight and information governance within the programme.
• Develop a shared regional approach to understanding need, outcomes, system pressures and repeat crisis demand.
• Champion the use of evidence and intelligence to support prevention, system reform and improved outcomes.
• Promote evidence-informed decision making across the programme.
• Influence regional approaches to data sharing and information governance, helping partners overcome barriers to collaboration.
• Build and maintain relationships with data, insight, research and information governance professionals across partner organisations.
• Establish and coordinate the regional Data, Insight and Information Governance Network.
• Bring together intelligence from multiple organisations to develop a richer understanding of multiple disadvantage.
• Identify barriers to data sharing and support partners to develop practical solutions and common approaches.
• Support the development of Information Sharing Agreements, Data Sharing Agreements and appropriate governance arrangements.
• Produce regional insight reports, dashboards, briefings and evidence summaries.
• Support the collection and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative evidence.
• Combine data, lived experience insight and practitioner knowledge to improve understanding of system performance and outcomes.
• Support the development of common reporting frameworks and shared outcome measures.
• Ensure data and intelligence inform programme governance, learning cycles and System Maturity Framework reviews.
• Act as a trusted advisor and critical friend to partners looking to strengthen analytical capability and information governance.
• Work closely with the Systems Change Lead and Lived Experience and Co-production Lead to bring different sources of evidence and insight together.
• Support commissioning of research, analysis and technical expertise where required.
• Manage budgets associated with data, insight and information governance activity and ensure value for money.
• Represent WMCA within regional and national networks relating to data, analytics and information governance.

What's essential.

You will have:

• Experience leading or influencing cross-organisational data, insight or intelligence initiatives involving multiple partners.
• Experience improving how organisations use data, evidence or intelligence to inform strategic decision making.
• Experience working with information governance, information sharing or data protection requirements in complex multi-agency environments.
• Experience analysing and interpreting complex data and communicating findings to different audiences.
• Experience facilitating collaboration between analysts, policymakers, operational services and senior leaders.
• Experience developing or implementing Information Sharing Agreements or Data Sharing Agreements.
• Experience of linked data, integrated datasets or multi-agency intelligence approaches.
• Experience developing dashboards, performance frameworks or outcomes measurement approaches.
• Strong understanding of information governance and data protection principles.
• A strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with data sharing across public services.
• Understanding of multiple disadvantage and how it interacts with wider inequalities.
• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
• The ability to interpret complex information, identify meaningful insights and translate technical information into practical recommendations.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly.
• The ability to work across organisational boundaries and influence without direct authority.
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with practical delivery.
• An understanding of how data, insight and evidence can support prevention, public service reform and systems change.

Location. 

The location for this role is Summer Lane, Birmingham 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

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).