Risk Manager

Are you an experienced and diverse Risk Manager looking for your next challenge?

Are you passionate about making a difference and looking to join an organisation that plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the West Midlands? If so, this may be the perfect role for you.

We have an excellent opportunity for a dynamic and pro-active Risk Manager to lead and implement how we approach and manage risk for major capital projects. Reporting directly to Senior Management, you will play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of accountability and quality for risk management, by championing the integration and adherence of robust risk processes amongst project and programme teams, within the portfolio office. 

This role requires proactive management of risk, their processes, implementation of supportive systems for mitigations and reporting, and collaborative engagement with programme, project and delivery teams throughout the organisation.

You will be our subject matter expert, sharing your expertise with stakeholders and proactively communicating and managing the mitigations for risks across the programme. This is a great opportunity to be part of the largest portfolio of projects across the region, that aims to enrich communities by connecting people to each other, employers to jobs, and businesses to markets.

We need someone who is an effective critical thinker with excellent stakeholder management, who can drive change and take real ownership of this role.

What you will be doing

• Implement and coordinate best practice risk management across TfWM-wide projects and programmes.
• Embed risk management into project control disciplines, to ensure risk is considered as part of a holistic approach, that informs decision-making and leads to successful mitigations.
• Support programme and project managers to facilitate qualitative and quantitative risk assessment (QRA) workshops.
• Ensure robust risk/issues processes and disciplines are established, embedded and practiced by programme/project teams, across the project life cycle.
• Act as a subject matter expert providing guidance and advice on risk identification, mitigation strategies and escalation pathways.
• Oversee the completion of risk assurance work in line with a broader integrated audit and assurance plan.
• Support programme and project managers to facilitate risk workshops, identify and record outcomes appropriately, create actionable plans and provide expertise on mitigation methods.
• Manage development and maintenance of risk and issue systems and processes and documentation, contribute to improving risk management processes to ensure a long-term best practice model.
• Regularly review the critical path, cost and resource loading, dependencies, constraints, and milestones.
• Work collaboratively with programme and project teams across the portfolio, to develop and maintain project dashboard reporting, ensuring alignment with project objectives. 

What’s essential

• Experienced in implementing and maintaining risk management processes and systems for major infrastructure programmes and projects.
• Experience in managing risk and issue processes and establishing actionable mitigations plans with project and programme teams.
• Experience in establishing and setting risk matrices, escalation thresholds and establishing clear processes enabling decision-making.
• Experience in executing risk assurance practices (qualitative, quantitative).
• Experience advising and working collaboratively in a large multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience of working in a project controls team and supporting development of project controls management.
• Experience of working in a sensitive political environment, and the ability to manage stakeholders both internal and external.
• Good collaboration and mentoring skills, ability to educate and implement new processes and policies in programme/project teams.
• Ability to multi-task and work in fast-paced environments, as part of a high performing team.
• Able to work well under pressure, demonstrating agility, drive, and solution focused attitude.
• Degree in relevant subject (Transport, Business Administration, Risk Management, Project Mgmt. or similar), or equivalent experience in similar role/equivalent experience

Location. 

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane 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.

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, building trust, connection and shared purpose across teams, partners and customers to create the biggest impact for our region.
• Driven - Focussed on impact - leading with clarity, care and courage to deliver meaningful results for the West Midlands. 
• Inclusive - Every voice matters - we create belonging, fairness and psychological safety so everyone can thrive. 
• Innovative - We think future and act smarter - embracing curiosity, creativity and continuous improvement to shape the future. 

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).