Help shape the future of the West Midlands after dark.
The West Midlands has a diverse and vibrant Night-Time Economy (NTE) encompassing hospitality, culture, music, sport, leisure, entertainment and the places and businesses that bring our towns and cities to life after 6pm.
Following the publication of the Mayor’s Night-Time Economy Commission report in May 2026, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has established a Night-Time Economy Council to help turn its recommendations into action.
We are now looking for private sector representatives from across the West Midlands to join the Council and bring their knowledge, experience and perspective to this important work.
Please note, this is a voluntary position, and representatives will be appointed for a 2-year term.
About the WMCA Night-Time Economy Council.
The Council will provide an industry-led forum for strategic dialogue, advocacy and influence, helping WMCA and its partners to drive forward the growth of the Night-Time Economy in the region.
Council members will help to:
- Provide an industry perspective on policies, programmes and investment affecting the Night-Time Economy.
- Help shape and support delivery of the recommendations made by the Mayor’s Night-Time Economy Commission.
- Champion the West Midlands and its Night-Time Economy industries.
- Identify opportunities for growth, collaboration and investment.
- Bring together perspectives from businesses, government, academia and local and regional partners.
- Contribute to focused work on issues such as safety, transport, access to finance and other priorities for the sector.
The Council is an advisory body. It will provide strategic guidance and industry insight rather than directly managing programmes, budgets or policy decisions.
Who are we looking for?
We want the Council to reflect the breadth of the West Midlands Night-Time Economy and are particularly interested in hearing from people with experience across areas including:
- Hospitality & Food — restaurants, fine dining, pubs and Desi pubs, street food, takeaways
- Music, Culture & Nightlife — grassroots music venues, large music venues, clubs, experiential hospitality and wider Night-Time cultural industries
- Sport, Leisure & Recreation — gyms, sport, recreation and other evening leisure operators
- Placemaking — placemaking professional and those involved in shaping Night-Time destinations and spaces
We especially welcome applications from leaders of independent businesses. We want to hear from voices across the sector and from different parts of the West Midlands.
The West Midlands is home to a rich and diverse range of communities, and we want the Council to reflect the people and places that make our region’s Night-Time Economy so vibrant. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, and are committed to creating an inclusive Council where a wide range of voices are represented and valued.
Members will be expected to:
- Attend a minimum of four Council meetings each year
- Engage constructively in discussions and provide industry insight and feedback.
- Review documents or provide occasional input between meetings where appropriate.
- Support the Council’s research and wider work where possible.
- Work collaboratively and respect the confidentiality of Council discussions.
- Uphold the Council’s values of commitment, collaboration, confidentiality, inclusivity, political neutrality and mutual respect.
If you have experience of the Night-Time Economy in the West Midlands and want to help shape its future, we would like to hear from you.
How to apply.
Applying for a role with WMCA is straightforward. 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.
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).
