Senior Research Officer in Birmingham

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is looking for an experienced and ambitious Senior Research Officer to join our Research, Intelligence and Inclusive Growth team within the WMCA's Strategy Unit.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of regional policymaking, helping to connect research, evidence and insight with some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the West Midlands.

You’ll lead the development of the region’s research ecosystem, building partnerships with universities, government departments, local authorities, funders and national research organisations. You will help identify and mobilise research around regional priorities, strengthen the use of evidence in decision-making, and support innovative approaches to tackling complex economic and social challenges.

What you will be doing.

Reporting to the Head of Research, Intelligence and Inclusive Growth, you will:

• Lead the development and delivery of the West Midlands Areas of Research Interest (ARI) programme.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with universities, research organisations and policy networks.
• Coordinate research and insight activities that support evidence-informed policymaking.
• Lead knowledge exchange activities that translate research into practical action and impact.
• Develop collaboration agreements and support research funding opportunities that align with regional priorities.
• Strengthen research capability across WMCA through communities of practice, training and professional support.
• Oversee research governance, ethics and quality assurance processes.
• Support production of strategic intelligence, evidence reviews and commissioned research.
• Represent WMCA within regional and national research networks and partnerships.

What's essential.

We’re looking for someone who can operate confidently across research, policy and partnership environments.

• Experience of working with universities, research institutes or research funders.
• Experience building strategic partnerships and collaborative programmes.
• Strong understanding of research methods and evidence generation.
• Ability to translate policy challenges into researchable questions and practical evidence needs
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and building relationships across complex organisations.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• A commitment to improving outcomes for communities through evidence-informed decision-making

Location.

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

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. Together we build trust, connection and shared purpose across teams, partners and residents to create the biggest impact for our region.
• Driven – We are focused on outcomes. We perform at our best to unlock productivity and delivery, achieving the greatest regional impact.
• Inclusive – We value difference. Creating an environment where people belong, and feel psychologically safe, so we can all thrive and shape a West Midlands built for everyone.
• Innovative – We are courageous. We embrace new ideas and challenge the status quo to continuously improve and shape the future of the West Midlands.

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).

Attached documents

JD PS Senior Research Officer August 2026.pdf