Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer

The West Midlands Combined Authority is at a pivotal moment for the region. Through the Growth Plan, West Midlands Works and our People & Culture Strategy, we are focused on delivering growth that benefits everyone, helping more residents access opportunity, and building the kind of high-performing organisation that can turn ambition into action.

To do that well, the Chief Executive’s Office needs to operate with pace, clarity and connection. As Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer, you will play an important role in helping the Chief Executive stay focused on the priorities that matter most, ensuring the right information, relationships, briefings and follow-up are in place to support effective decision-making and delivery.

This is a role for someone motivated by making things happen. You will be close to the decisions, relationships and conversations that shape the future of the organisation and the wider region, helping connect strategy with action across the Chief Executive’s Office, Mayor’s Office, Executive Board and senior leadership teams. Your work will help WMCA remain joined up, well-informed and focused on delivering for the West Midlands.

We are looking for someone who is highly organised, politically aware and confident working with senior stakeholders. You will bring experience of strategic coordination, policy support, stakeholder management and operating in a fast-paced public sector or political environment. You will be trusted to work with discretion, judgement and attention to detail, helping ensure the Chief Executive has the support, insight and organisational grip needed to progress key priorities.

Please note, this is an 18-month fixed-term contract.

What you’ll be doing.

• Support the effective running and coordination of the Chief Executive’s Office.
• Help translate the Chief Executive’s priorities into clear actions, working with senior leaders and project teams across WMCA.
• Prepare and coordinate high-quality briefings, reports and presentations for key meetings.
• Provide advice and support on strategy, policy and horizon-scanning to help the organisation plan ahead.
• Support the Chief Executive with local authority relationships, including oversight and coordination of MetCEX meetings.
• Support government engagement and public affairs activity, working closely with the Mayor’s Office.
• Help align organisational and mayoral communications, supporting a clear and consistent regional narrative.
• Support transformation and integration activity across WMCA, including work with the Executive Board.
• Act as a key interface with the Mayor’s Office, helping maintain a productive working relationship between political and administrative functions.
• Work with People and Culture colleagues to support leadership activity around organisational culture and behaviour.
• Work with PMO colleagues to ensure the Chief Executive receives timely updates on delivery, performance and progress against priorities.
• Support the production of a regularly updated mayoral dashboard.
• Maintain oversight of strategic stakeholder relationships, meeting requests and event requests.
• Work with legal, finance and governance colleagues to support the Chief Executive’s oversight of statutory responsibilities, meeting rhythms and agenda coordination.
• Support occasional special projects driven by the Chief Executive’s Office.
• Work with finance colleagues to ensure the Chief Executive receives timely updates on financial matters.
• Support oversight of the Chief Executive’s Office budget.
• Represent the Chief Executive’s Office professionally and support senior relationships where appropriate.

What’s essential.

• Proven experience in a strategic advisory, coordination or support role within government, the public sector or a political environment.
• Experience in policy development and implementation at a senior level.
• Experience managing or supporting high-profile relationships with political leaders, business representatives, public bodies or strategic partners.
• Experience coordinating activity, supporting operations and helping ensure effective delivery of priorities.
• Experience in public affairs, stakeholder engagement, advocacy or a related environment.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Political awareness and a strong understanding of local, regional and national government.
• Strong problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders.
• Understanding of West Midlands regional challenges, economic landscape and policy priorities.
• Experience working in high-pressure environments where priorities can change quickly.
• Ability to work with discretion, sound judgement and attention to detail.
• Degree in Politics, Public Policy, Business or a related field, or 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.

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).