Senior Policy Officer - Health and Economic Participation in Birmingham

Senior Policy Officer - Health and Economic Participation

Good health and economic participation are mutually reinforcing... In this role, you’ll help turn health and prevention priorities into practical projects that enable more people across the West Midlands to enter, remain in or return to work – specifically Good Work.

Working across WMCA and alongside health services, local authorities, employers and community partners, you will use evidence and insight to develop policy proposals, pilots and employer-facing interventions. Your work will support the implementation of WMCA’s Health Duty, with a particular focus on prevention and workforce wellbeing.

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

What you will be doing

• Support the development and implementation of policy on health and economic participation, ensuring alignment with the Growth Plan, West Midlands Works and Health of the Region strategy.
• Turn evidence and stakeholder insight into practical projects, pilots and policy proposals addressing ill-health-related economic inactivity.
• Develop workplace and community prevention activity, including digital health checks, health screening, employer-facing interventions and approaches that support healthier, longer working lives.
• Build effective relationships with employers, NHS partners, local authorities, business networks, employment support providers and VCSE organisations to co-design and test interventions.
• Prepare clear briefings, options papers, business cases, funding proposals and recommendations for senior leaders, governance boards and the Mayor’s Office.
• Plan and monitor projects, manage risks and dependencies, and use performance and evaluation evidence to refine, scale and embed effective approaches.

What’s essential

• Substantial experience of supporting policy development and practical implementation in health, employment, skills, economic development or a related public policy field.
• Experience of developing and delivering projects or pilots involving multiple partner organisations.
• Experience of using research, data and stakeholder insight to shape policy recommendations and delivery models.
• Experience of writing high-quality briefings, business cases, reports and presentations for senior or political audiences.
• Strong policy analysis, research and problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn complex evidence into clear recommendations.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, facilitation and influencing skills, including confidence working with employers and senior partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages for different audiences.
• Good project management skills, including planning, risk management, reporting and coordination of dependencies.
• Degree or equivalent professional experience in public policy, public health, economics, employment, programme management or a related field.

For a full list of duties and essential criteria, please refer to 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.

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.
• 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.

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).

Senior Policy Officer - Health and Economic Participation

• Frequency Annual
• Job Reference WMCA/TP/154/1028
• Contract Type Fixed Term Contract
• Closing Date 2 November, 2026
• Job Type Health / Public Health / Nursing
• Directorate Employment, Skills, Health & Communities

#J-18808-Ljbffr