At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the long-term strategy and policy direction for the West Midlands region.
- Company: Join the West Midlands Combined Authority, shaping a prosperous future for the community.
- Benefits: Influence major decisions, competitive salary, and opportunities for impactful work.
- Other info: A unique chance to shape one of the UK's most important regions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of residents and businesses in the West Midlands.
- Qualifications: Exceptional strategic leadership experience and ability to influence stakeholders.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA),
The West Midlands Combined Authority is at a defining moment for the region.
With growing devolved powers, major investment opportunities and a clear Growth Plan focused on delivering growth for everyone, we have a vital role to play in shaping a stronger, fairer and more prosperous West Midlands.
Our ambition is to connect people to good jobs, support thriving businesses, create better places, and ensure the region speaks with a confident and influential voice.
Delivering that ambition depends not only on what we do, but how we work.
Our People & Culture Strategy sets out our commitment to becoming a high-performing, values-led organisation where people feel supported, included and able to do their best work.
As Executive Director of Strategy and Policy, you will play a central role in bringing these ambitions together: shaping the long‑term strategy for the region while building the collaborative, evidence‑led and delivery‑focused culture needed to turn that strategy into action.
This role exists to bring clarity, evidence and direction to some of the region’s biggest choices, ensuring Mayoral priorities, devolution opportunities, local authority ambitions and partner plans come together into a coherent strategy that can be delivered.
You will help WMCA understand what matters most, where we can have the greatest impact, and how we turn long‑term vision into practical action for residents, communities and businesses.
Key responsibilities
- Lead WMCA’s long‑term strategy and policy direction, acting as principal adviser to the Chief Executive and aligning the Growth Plan, Mayoral priorities, devolution commitments, local authority plans and partner ambitions into a clear agenda for action.
- Build and lead a newly integrated Strategy and Policy directorate, bringing together strategy, policy, research, insight, performance and integration into a high‑performing, inclusive function with a culture of collaboration, challenge and delivery.
- Shape evidence‑led policy and decision‑making across the region’s key priorities, including economic growth, jobs and skills, transport, housing and regeneration, energy and climate change, public service innovation and health.
- Strengthen WMCA’s influence and regional voice, leading work on devolution deals and strategic agreements with government, building trusted partnerships, and representing the West Midlands regionally, nationally and internationally.
We are looking for an exceptional strategic leader who can operate with credibility in a complex political environment.
You will bring significant experience of strategy and policy at scale, political judgement, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders across government, the public sector and wider partnerships.
You will be able to turn evidence and insight into clear choices, bring people together around shared priorities, and lead a function that helps WMCA deliver tangible impact for the region.
This is a rare opportunity to shape the strategic direction of one of the UK’s most important regions.
For the right person, it offers the chance to strengthen the West Midlands’ voice nationally, influence major decisions about investment and devolution, and help ensure growth translates into real outcomes for the people and places of the region.
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Executive Director of Strategy and Policy in Birmingham employer: WMJobs
West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is an exceptional employer that champions a collaborative and inclusive work culture, offering employees the chance to make a tangible impact in the public sector. With a strong focus on professional development and growth opportunities, WMCA supports its staff in navigating the complexities of local governance while fostering a dynamic environment that values innovation and adaptability. Located in the heart of the West Midlands, employees benefit from a vibrant community and access to a range of resources aimed at enhancing their career journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Director of Strategy and Policy in Birmingham
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like WMJobs!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Executive Director of Strategy and Policy position at WMJobs via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Director of Strategy and Policy in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at WMJobs.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to WMJobs’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at WMJobs
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to WMJobs. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at WMJobs. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to WMJobs.
