Overview
West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is transitioning to a Target Operating Model. The People Business Partner (BP) will embed people strategy into planning, decision-making, and leadership practices across WMCA’s directorates. You will be a trusted advisor and critical friend to senior leaders, ensuring people priorities align with service goals and organisational values. This is a 24 month fixed-term contract.
What You Will 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.
* 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 managers 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.
* Flexible, consultative, and solution-focused approach.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with tact, discretion and diplomacy.
* Proven track record of delivery in a high-pressure environment and working to pace.
* Ability to exercise effective judgement and risk management.
* Problem-solving and analytical capability.
* Educated to at least degree level; CIPD qualified to level 5; evidence of continued professional development.
Location
The role is based at 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3SD with at least 2 days a week in the office or as appropriate to the role.
How to Apply
Applying for a role with WMCA is straightforward. Follow these steps:
* 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. Address each of the required essential criteria.
* Submit your application. Do a final check and 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.
Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)
You may use AI to help write your application content, but use it as a helper rather than relying on it wholly. Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting. For help on writing a supporting statement, visit the FAQs section of our careers site.
Reasonable Adjustments
If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the application or recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment Team (careers@wmca.org.uk).
Salary and Benefits
We advertise salary ranges; new appointments typically start at the lowest salary point, with potential yearly increases. Requests for salaries above the maximum range will not be considered. Our benefits package includes:
* Local Government Pension Scheme
* 28 days paid annual leave (option to purchase more)
* EV car benefit scheme
* Ethical saving options and healthcare plans
* Discounted gym membership, will writing, and mortgage advice
* Option to buy a bicycle (including e-bikes) at a discounted rate
* 3 days of paid leave each year to volunteer
* Interest-free financing through SmartTech to buy technology
* Discounted shopping with over 2,000 retailers
Why Join WMCA?
WMCA focuses on improving the West Midlands through economic growth, jobs, homes, and better journeys. We place people and place at the heart of what we do, working with partners to direct funding where it’s needed most. Your work will help make a meaningful difference in people’s lives every day.
Inclusive Workplace
WMCA holds diversity accreditations and is committed to inclusive recruitment. We are a Disability Confident Employer with ‘Leader’ status and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. We support flexible working arrangements.
Right to Work
Proof of Right to Work in the UK is required before any offer can be confirmed. Non-UK applicants would need the appropriate visa.
Attachments
Attached: People Business Partner JD.docx
#J-18808-Ljbffr