Do you have experience working a policy environment in public or private sector setting? Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for data-driven change? Do you want to make a real difference to the future of the employment & skills agenda in the West Midlands? If so, we may have an opportunity for you!
West Midlands Combined Authority is seeking a Head of Insight & Intelligence to join our team. In this high-profile role you’ll lead a team of data and insights experts to unlock the power of data and insights to inform critical decisions that shape our economy, improve lives, and build a thriving West Midlands.
You will be a skilled relationship builder, adept at building strong partnerships with central government officials and regional stakeholders.
This role is crucial in providing the evidence and insights that will support strategic decision-making across the Employment, Skills, Health, and Communities (EHSC) Directorate. You will be critical in ensuring that our programmes are evidence-based and deliver tangible, positive results for the region's residents and businesses.
What will you be doing?
- Lead teams to deliver a comprehensive evidence base that informs policy development, programme performance, and impact assessment.
- Provide research insight and data analysis to shape policies and programmes, influencing both regional initiatives and the national policy landscape.
- Evaluate existing and proposed policies, identifying opportunities for enhancement and ensure that WMCA’s interventions deliver meaningful impact.
- Build and maintain high-level relationships with key stakeholders, including the mayor, local authority leaders, college principals, and central government officials.
- Engage with national strategic partners such as DfE, DWP, and other government agencies, chairing panels, contributing to boards, and ensuring that the West Midlands’ voice is heard in national policy discussions.
- Stay informed on social, political, and economic developments, briefing colleagues and stakeholders on emerging challenges and opportunities.
- Oversee the performance management and impact reporting processes, ensuring alignment with annual plans and strategic objectives.
- Develop and implement innovative approaches to performance management, including theories of change, logic models, and cost-benefit analysis, to ensure that programmes deliver their intended outcomes.
- Prepare comprehensive and accurate approval papers that distill complex data into actionable insights, supporting governance and decision-making processes.
What's Essential.
- A proven leader in the skills or economy sector with a track record of developing and implementing data-driven policies and programmes.
- Exceptional ability to build and influence relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including the Mayor of the West Midlands, senior government officials, education professionals, and industry leaders.
- Strategic vision coupled with the ability to translate ideas into practical implementation, particularly in the areas of labour market, skills, or education.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience in developing business cases, policy papers, and presentations for senior audiences.
- A strong collaborator with the ability to lead and guide cross-functional teams through change and transformation.
- Eager to make a positive impact on the West Midlands, with an understanding of the region’s economic and social challenges and opportunities.
How to apply.
On clicking ‘apply for this job’, you will be prompted to register for an account, which you can do using your name and email address. You will have the opportunity to upload a CV when registering. Uploading your CV will auto-populate the employment and education sections of your profile. Please note, we do not see your CV once you have submitted your application. Our shortlisting decisions are based on what you tell us in your profile - and so it is important to check the information is correct and format your profile so that it really stands out.
You will be asked to provide a supporting statement which should evidence (using examples) how your skills and experience match the essential criteria of the role that you are applying for. You will be asked to type your statement into the portal directly. If you have already prepared a supporting statement, then you can simply copy and paste this directly into the application form. For more information on how to apply, please visit the FAQ page on our career site.
Reasonable adjustments.
If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process (for example, you might need to submit your application in a different format), please get in touch with our Recruitment Team. We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.
Salary and benefits.
We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, where higher skill levels or experience are applicable, 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 a Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK), 28 days paid annual leave (plus an option to purchase more!), ethical saving options and healthcare plans, paid volunteering days, free financing for 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.
Hybrid working and location.
We believe hybrid working is the best way for our organisation to fulfil our commitment to a modern, agile workplace while continuing to provide a great service to our customers. Hybrid working means having flexibility between working in the office and at home on agreed days, where a role allows.
The location for this role is Summer Lane, Birmingham . It is expected that you can split your time between the office and working remotely, with at least 2 days a week spent in the office. Please note, this is the minimum expectation.
Creating an inclusive workplace.
We are dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace that reflects the communities of the West Midlands region. We believe that building a team with varied backgrounds and experiences will benefit us as an employer and enhance our work.
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. If your values align with ours and you are dedicated to working towards a future that we can all be proud of, we would love to hear from you.
Right to Work in the UK
WMCA has a legal responsibility to ensure that all its employees have the legal right to work in the UK. Therefore, if you are made an offer of employment, this will be subject to WMCA verifying that you are eligible to work in the UK before you start work.
Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the role by assessing their circumstances against the relevant criteria set out by UKVI.
Thank you for considering joining our team at WMCA. We look forward to receiving your application and the opportunity to work together towards our shared goals.
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