At a Glance
- Tasks: Support creative projects that drive growth and regeneration in the West Midlands.
- Company: Join the West Midlands Combined Authority, a leader in creative economy initiatives.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, competitive pay, and a chance to shape the creative landscape.
- Other info: Fixed-term role with opportunities for professional development and networking.
- Why this job: Be part of a £25 million programme making a real impact in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience in project support and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is investing in creativity as a driver of growth, opportunity and regeneration across the region. We are looking for a Project Support Officer to join our Creative Places Growth Fund team, providing essential project support to help deliver a £25 million programme designed to grow the West Midlands’ creative economy. This key support role ensures projects are well coordinated, well governed, and delivered on time and within budget.
Responsibilities
- Provide proactive project support to the Creative Places Growth Fund and Culture & Creative Economy team.
- Support delivery of programme objectives within agreed timelines and budgets.
- Maintain and update key documentation, including plans, RAID logs, budgets and lessons learned logs.
- Assist with the preparation of regular project and programme reports, including change requests.
- Support monitoring of outputs, outcomes and performance data with project teams.
- Coordinate communication with stakeholders to gather, track and share key information.
- Provide administrative support to boards, working groups and governance forums, including agendas, papers and action tracking.
- Support risk, issue and change management processes, ensuring documentation is accurate and up to date.
- Contribute to communications and engagement activity, including preparing materials where required.
- Support grant administration processes, including application rounds and decision-making support.
- Provide finance and procurement support, including purchase orders and invoice processing.
- Liaise with suppliers and contractors to track delivery and ensure timely payment.
- Support monitoring and compliance of grant‑funded activity.
- Help improve project and programme management processes through continuous improvement.
Essential Qualifications
- Experience supporting project or programme delivery processes.
- Experience using reporting tools, dashboards or performance monitoring systems.
- Understanding of project management principles, including risk, issues, change and financial processes.
- Strong attention to detail and analytical skills.
- Clear and confident communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
- Experience working with a range of stakeholders.
- Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and virtual meeting tools.
- GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths and English.
Location & Employment
The role is based at Summer Lane, with a requirement to spend at least two days a week in the office. It is a fixed‑term contract until 31 March 2029.
Project Support Officer - Creative Places Growth Fund in Birmingham employer: WMJobs
West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering creativity and growth within the region. With a strong commitment to employee development, a collaborative work culture, and the opportunity to contribute to impactful projects like the Creative Places Growth Fund, employees can expect a rewarding experience in a vibrant location. The supportive environment encourages innovation and offers unique advantages, including engagement with diverse stakeholders and the chance to make a tangible difference in the creative economy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Support Officer - Creative Places Growth Fund in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the creative sector, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Project Support Officer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Creative Places Growth Fund and its impact on the West Midlands. We want you to show your passion for the creative economy and how you can contribute to its growth. Tailor your answers to reflect the job description and demonstrate your understanding of project management principles.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Project Support Officer, clear communication is key. We suggest doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to refine your verbal and written skills. This will help you feel more confident when discussing your experience and ideas.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. We’re excited to see how you can support our mission and help grow the creative economy in the West Midlands!
We think you need these skills to ace Project Support Officer - Creative Places Growth Fund in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Project Support Officer role. We want to see how you can contribute to the Creative Places Growth Fund, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects you've worked on!
Show Off Your Organisational Skills:Since this role involves a lot of coordination and support, it’s crucial to demonstrate your organisational prowess. Share examples of how you've managed competing priorities or kept projects on track in the past. We love a good story about keeping things running smoothly!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and get to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read, so make sure your communication skills shine through in your writing.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to find all the details you need to submit a stellar application. Let’s get you on board!
How to prepare for a job interview at WMJobs
✨Know Your Projects
Before the interview, dive deep into the Creative Places Growth Fund and understand its objectives. Familiarise yourself with the projects that have been funded and think about how your experience can contribute to their success.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've managed competing priorities in past roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your strong organisational skills.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since the role involves liaising with various stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare to discuss how you’ve effectively communicated project updates or issues in previous positions.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Brush up on your knowledge of project management principles, especially around risk and change management. Be prepared to answer questions about tools you've used for reporting and performance monitoring, as this will demonstrate your technical competence.
