Strategic Lead - Fire and Police

If you enjoy working on complex change that genuinely matters, bringing clarity to ambiguity, building trust across organisations, and helping public services work better for communities, this role offers a rare opportunity to do exactly that.

As Strategic Lead Fire and Police Transfers, you will play a central role in one of the most significant public service programmes in the West Midlands. You will support WMCA to take on new responsibilities for fire and police governance under the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, shaping how change is delivered safely, lawfully and with public confidence.

You will work closely with senior leaders across WMCA, emergency services and partner organisations, operating at the intersection of strategy, governance and delivery. You will have the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to public safety and public service innovation.

Please note this role is offered on a fixed-term basis until 30 August 2028.

We welcome applications from candidates who wish to be considered on an external secondment basis. If this applies to you, please make this clear in your supporting statement.

You will lead the strategic coordination of the proposed Fire and Police and Crime Commissioner Transfer Programmes, helping to turn national policy into well governed, locally deliverable plans.

• Supporting Senior Responsible Owners with programme direction, governance and delivery assurance
• Leading and servicing programme governance arrangements, including boards, reporting and assurance processes
• Coordinating activity across WMCA directorates and partners, including policy, legal, HR, finance, IT, estates and communications
• Identifying, managing and escalating programme risks, issues and dependencies
• Overseeing readiness planning for the transfer of staff, assets, liabilities and operational responsibilities
• Monitoring progress and milestones to ensure the fire transfer is operational by potentially 2027 and the police transfer is prepared for 2028
• Supporting operational continuity and service resilience throughout the transition
• Preparing and presenting reports to internal boards, partners and government departments
• Supporting financial planning, budget management and value for money
• Ensuring equality, diversity, inclusion and public sector values are embedded throughout the programme

• Experience of leading complex programmes involving multiple organisations and stakeholders
• A proven ability to work effectively in matrixed environments across organisational boundaries
• Experience of governance, organisational change or public service innovation/reform programmes
• Strong risk management skills and sound professional judgement
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship building skills
• The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver work at pace

• An understanding of public sector governance.
• Awareness of statutory obligations, including employment law, public safety and equality duties
• Knowledge of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, or the ability to develop this quickly.

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

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• 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.

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. Be thorough in each section. It’s your chance to showcase your skills and experience.

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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.

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