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The West Midlands Combined Authority is continuing to evolve, with growing responsibilities, new opportunities through devolution and a clear ambition to deliver growth that benefits everyone across the region. To achieve this, we need an organisation that supports its people, partners and services through change in a values-led, well-governed and future-focused way.

As Head of People for Fire and OPCC Transfer, you will play a key role in one of WMCA’s most significant organisational change programmes, leading the People & Culture workstream for the transfer and integration of West Midlands Fire Service and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. You will translate complex technical workforce challenges, including TUPE consultation and cultural integration, into clear and deliverable plans.

This is a role with real purpose and impact. You will protect the experience of colleagues affected by change, provide assurance to senior leaders and ensure that people-related risks and decisions are understood, managed and escalated appropriately. In line with Our People & Culture Strategy, you will help create a high-performing, inclusive and values-led organisation where people feel informed, respected and able to do their best work. We are looking for an experienced senior people leader with a strong background in strategic HR leadership and organisational transfer or integration.

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

What you’ll be doing.

• Lead the People & Culture workstream for the transfer and integration of West Midlands Fire Service and OPCC into WMCA.
• Lead and ensure legal compliance on complex TUPE arrangements, including due diligence, measures, consultation planning, employee communications, trade union engagement, risk management and governance reporting.
• Provide senior strategic people advice and assurance to the Chief People and Culture Officer, Executive Board and programme governance forums.
• Identify, manage and escalate people-related risks, dependencies and decisions affecting transfer readiness and implementation.
• Oversee change transition readiness, including secure employee data transfer, workforce information ownership, HR, payroll, pensions and people systems alignment, and GDPR compliance.
• Support workforce alignment, organisational design, cultural integration, inclusion and readiness for the future operating model.
• Matrix work into the People and Culture team, optimising technical support and expertise as required from SLT leads/teams

What’s essential.

• Extensive experience in a senior HR Business Partner or strategic people leadership role within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Experience of leading people workstreams within major organisational transfer, merger, integration or transformation programmes
• Experience leading complex TUPE, workforce transition or organisational integration activity, including employee consultation, trade union engagement, due diligence and transition risk management.
• Proven track record of influencing Executive-level decision-making through people insight and strategic advice.
• Experience providing assurance to senior governance boards, programme boards, elected members or governance bodies including managing sensitive and confidentiality across these
• Strong knowledge of employment law, people policy and public sector governance.
• Deep understanding of strategic workforce planning, organisational design and change leadership.
• Strong understanding of workforce data, HR systems, payroll and pensions dependencies during organisational transfer.
• Ability to operate in a matrix environment, influencing specialist teams without necessarily having direct line management responsibility but effectively co-ordinating cross functional input.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, coaching and influencing skills at Executive level.
• CIPD Level 7 or equivalent senior-level HR experience.

For a full list of duties and essential criteria, please view the job description attached.

Location.

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

There may be a requirement to work outside normal office hours on occasion, including working within stakeholder and partner offices within the WMCA constituent area on a regular basis.

How to apply.

Applying for a role with WMCA is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started.

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, 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).