Policy Manager

We are seeking a Policy Manager to join our Employment, Skills, Health and Communities Directorate and help shape the future role of the West Midlands in a period of significant public service reform, devolution and institutional change.

Working within the Insight and Intelligence Team, you will lead the development of strategic policy that responds to emerging national agendas around public service reform, devolution, fiscal sustainability and the changing role of the state. You will help the West Midlands Combined Authority understand and respond to complex system-wide challenges, bringing together evidence, insight and stakeholder engagement to shape regional policy positions and support long-term transformation across employment, skills, health and inclusive growth.

This is a high-profile strategic role requiring strong policy expertise, systems thinking, analytical capability and the ability to work confidently across complex political, institutional and stakeholder environments.

• Lead policy development on major strategic challenges affecting the West Midlands, including public service reform, devolution, economic inclusion and workforce transformation.
• Develop evidence-based policy positions that support greater regional influence over employment, skills and wider public services.
• Work with senior leaders and partners to shape responses to emerging government priorities and reforms.
• Analyse national policy developments and assess their implications for the region, informing strategic responses and recommendations.
• Support the development of integrated approaches across employment, skills, health, economic development and local government agendas.
• Use research, data, evaluation and insight to identify system-wide challenges and opportunities for reform.
• Produce high-quality policy papers, briefings, strategic reports and advice for senior leadership, elected members and external stakeholders.
• Build productive relationships with local authorities, government departments, public sector partners, employers, providers and representative bodies.
• Facilitate collaboration across organisations and sectors to address complex cross-cutting challenges that cannot be resolved by a single institution acting alone.
• Represent the organisation in regional and national policy discussions, networks and strategic forums.

• Significant experience in policy development, strategy or public sector reform within a government, public sector, research or think-tank environment.
• Strong understanding of the policy landscape relating to devolution, public service reform, local government, employment, skills or economic development.
• Proven ability to analyse complex systems and develop coherent policy responses to multifaceted challenges.
• Strong track record of using research, analysis, evidence and insight to influence policy and strategic decision-making.
• Excellent written communication skills, with experience producing high-quality strategic papers, briefings and recommendations for senior audiences.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including experience working across organisational and sector boundaries.
• Ability to navigate political environments and provide advice on politically sensitive or high-profile issues.
• Experience managing competing priorities and delivering high-quality outputs in fast-paced and evolving contexts.
• A collaborative approach, with the ability to work effectively through partnerships, networks and matrix-management arrangements.
• An understanding of systems leadership, place-based working and cross-sector collaboration.

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane with at least 2 days a week spent in the office.

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