Director of Economy (Policy & Integration) in Birmingham

The West Midlands is at a pivotal moment. With one of England's most ambitious devolution settlements, a bold Growth Plan and a strong foundation of innovation and industry, the region is ready to accelerate inclusive, sustainable growth. The Director of Economy (Policy and Integration) will play a pivotal system leadership role in turning this ambition into measurable impact, shaping strategy, driving delivery and leading across organisational and regional boundaries to ensure devolved powers translate into lasting regional prosperity.

This is a high-profile, system-shaping role operating at the heart of a complex partnership landscape. As WMCA's senior economic strategy lead, the postholder will provide visible, collaborative leadership across the organisation and the wider regional ecosystem, aligning Local Authorities, Government Departments, Universities, Investors and Industry behind a shared economic narrative and set of priorities. The Director will ensure regional ambitions are fully aligned with the Modern Industrial Strategy, the Integrated Settlement and the aspirations set out in the English Devolution White Paper, embedding a culture of integration, accountability and delivery.

The role carries significant national and regional influence. The Director will represent the West Midlands in Whitehall, shaping policy discussions, influencing national decision-making and securing new powers and investment. Locally, they will convene and align partners across sectors to strengthen high-growth clusters, unlock innovation and investment, and accelerate place-based development, shaping the future of one of the UK's most dynamic regions.

What you will be doing:

• Lead the ongoing development and implementation of the West Midlands Growth Plan, ensuring it remains firmly rooted in the West Midlands Theory of Growth, informed by the Government's Modern Industrial Strategy, and supported by robust regional economic intelligence.
• Provide system leadership across the organisation and region, ensuring alignment between strategy, policy development and delivery, and fostering strong collaboration between local authorities, anchor institutions, business and government partners.
• Translate economic strategy into delivery on the ground, working closely with the PMO to ensure effective programme and project management, and providing robust oversight of commissioned services and projects, particularly those supporting the implementation of the West Midlands Growth Plan.
• Oversee the development and implementation of the Local Growth Pillar of the Integrated Settlement, negotiating key economic outcomes with Government and ensuring alignment with the West Midlands Growth Plan and wider regional priorities.
• Lead the management and oversight of significant programme and policy budgets, ensuring strong financial governance, value for money, effective resource allocation and compliance with relevant financial frameworks.
• Act as senior SME interface with Whitehall, coordinating lobbying activity, think tank engagement and the provision of evidence to Select Committees.
• Represent WMCA and advocate for the West Midlands to promote regional growth, secure new powers and resources, and champion a clear and compelling regional economic narrative, ensuring the voices of the private sector are represented and considered.
• Drive the integration of strategic initiatives across all aspects of economic policy and delivery, with a clear focus on strengthening high-growth clusters, unlocking innovation and investment, supporting place-based development and capitalising on emerging opportunities.

What's essential:

• A strong track record of developing and delivering major economic strategies or policy programmes that have shaped multi-stakeholder systems and delivered measurable impact.
• The ability to lead within a devolved governance framework, navigating complex intergovernmental relationships and aligning regional delivery with national policy.
• Significant experience operating in politically sensitive environments, exercising sound judgement and managing senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Deep expertise in regional economic development, with a clear understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing regions like the West Midlands.
• Senior leadership experience in large, multi-disciplinary organisations, with responsibility for high-performing teams.
• Outstanding negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to shape decisions across complex stakeholder landscapes, underpinned by strong commercial and business acumen.
• Proven track record of strategic financial leadership, including accountability for complex, multi-million-pound budgets, driving financial sustainability, robust governance and alignment of investment decisions with organisational priorities and outcomes.
• A proven ability to build and sustain strategic partnerships across organisational boundaries and mobilise stakeholders around shared outcomes.
• Demonstrable experience leading complex transformation and change programmes at scale.
• Strong political awareness, with the credibility and judgement to work constructively across political parties and with external agencies.
• A clear understanding of the strategic priorities of the private sector, local and regional government, universities and wider regional partners, and the ability to unlock more effective collaboration.

A full list of duties and essential criteria can be found in the formal 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.

How to apply:

• 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. Make sure to address each of the required essential criteria.
• 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 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.

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).
• 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.
• EyeCare 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: Our behaviours sit at the heart of our values, helping to shape how we work together as WMCA employees and setting clear expectations.

• Collaborative Team Focused - working as part of a team, managing and leading.
• Service Driven - customer, resident and partner focused.
• Driven Empowered and Accountable - taking ownership and leading when needed.
• Performance Focused - being ambitious and going the extra mile.
• Inclusive One Organisation Mindset - believe in each other's expertise.
• Open and Honest Communication - we do what we say we are going to do.
• Innovative Forward Thinking - embrace change and open to new possibilities.
• Problem Solving - go for clear and simple whenever possible.

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).