Senior Engagement Officer

If you have a track record of successfully developing and delivering long-term engagement strategies and consultation programmes with demonstrable impact, we want to hear from you.

We have a brand-new role for a Senior Engagement Officer to join our communications and engagement team. This team has been put in place to shape the way that we communicate, as an authority, and lead the way for equality, diversity and inclusion, by engaging with local communities. This is an integral role for the organisation as you will champion the voice of local communities and ensure that we are delivering effective consultations and engagement activities that meet the needs of the people we serve.

You will work collaboratively with colleagues on a variety of ground-breaking projects and programmes that deliver inclusive economic growth and encourage behaviour change. Providing a strategic overview of engagement activity, you will work closely with the Strategic Communications and Engagement Manager and line manage two engagement officers to develop an engagement and consultation approach that incorporates best practice.

This is a great opportunity to develop what we are doing and feedback what the community wants. We need someone who is able to inject positivity, be creative and innovative and genuinely cares about the community.

What you will be doing:

• Develop strong relationships with colleagues at all levels and act as a first point of contact for the wider communications team on all engagement issues.
• Provide a strategic focus to the delivery of statutory and non-statutory public consultations for the Combined Authority.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key influential stakeholders and partners such as schools, health, police and community organisations.
• Develop and implement individual consultation plans tailored to specific consultation requirements.
• Develop and deliver an effective outreach plan to improve and increase our knowledge and understanding of different communities.
• Monitor and evaluate the success of engagement plans and campaigns.
• Research best practice and trends in consultation and engagement.
• Undertake the preparation of budgets and monitoring of expenses.

What’s essential:

• Experience of working in a communications and engagement role.
• Prior experience of stakeholder management.
• Track record of successfully developing and delivering long-term engagement strategies and consultation programmes with demonstrable impact.
• Track record of evaluating engagement performance and implementing continuous improvement.
• Experience of engaging with high profile and influential stakeholders including local politicians.
• Experience of working with community groups and community organisations.
• Experience of engagement work in the public sector.
• Experience of managing a project team.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• A good team player able to build strong relationships.
• Knowledge of current consultation standards and emerging trends.
• Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy, confidentiality, and diplomacy along with the ability to challenge and influence.

Location:

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

How to apply:

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 ( ).

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), giving you have ample time to relax.
• ethical saving options and healthcare plans.
• Discounted gym membership.
• 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.

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).

#J-18808-Ljbffr