People Business Partner

As WMCA transitions to a Target Operating Model, our People BPs will become central to embedding people strategy into planning, decision-making, and leadership practices. They will play a strategic and influential role in enabling driven, inclusive, innovative and collaborative people leadership across WMCA’s directorates. You’ll be a trusted advisor and critical friend to senior leaders. The role ensures that people priorities are fully aligned with service goals and organisational values.

Our recent appointment of Sarah Lal as our Chief People & Culture Officer marks a significant step in strengthening leadership across the People & Culture function, helping to shape a seamless, values-led service that supports the achievement of WMCA’s strategic objectives, annual business plans, and Mayoral priorities. The People BP will support the organisation in evolving how services are shaped and how these priorities are delivered working to a matrix structure and at the same time ensuring that people and culture remain at the heart of transformation and change.

What will you be doing

• Act as a strategic partner to senior leaders, embedding people priorities into planning, decision-making, and change programmes.
• Design and deliver people strategies that drive performance, inclusion, and organisational growth.
• Lead on complex employee relations, organisational change, and leadership development.
• Use workforce data and insight to influence decisions and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Build trusted relationships to support confident, inclusive leadership across WMCA.
• Collaborate across People & Culture functions to deliver a seamless, values-led service.
• Champion fairness, wellbeing, and consistency in people practices.
• Contribute to strategic projects that support transformation and enable people to thrive.

What you will need

• Proven experience in a strategic HR or people partnering role within a complex organisation.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and shape people responses to business challenges.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional input from HR specialisms (e.g. ER, Reward, OD, Inclusion).
• Evidence of supporting organisational change processes.
• Evidence of using coaching skills to develop manager’s competence and confidence in dealing with people management issues. 
• Strong understanding of employment law, people policy, and organisational change.
• Skilled in using people data and insight to inform decisions and drive improvement.
• Excellent interpersonal, coaching, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A flexible, consultative and solution-focused approach.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a high level of tact, discretion and diplomacy.
• A proven track record of delivery in a high-pressure environment and working to pace.
• Ability to exercise effective judgement and risk.
• Problem-solving and analytical capability.
• Educated to at least degree level.
• CIPD qualified to level 5.
• Evidence of continued professional development.

Location.

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

How to apply. 

Applying for a role with WMCA is straight forward. 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.

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 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).
• 28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more)
• EV car benefit scheme
• Ethical saving options and 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.  

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.

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 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).