Director of Economy; Policy & Integration

Position: Director of Economy (Policy & Integration)
The West Midlands is at a pivotal moment. With one of Englands most ambitious devolution settlements, a bold Growth Plan and a strong foundation of innovation and industry, the region is ready to accelerate inclusive, sustainable growth. The Director of Economy (Policy and Integration) will play a pivotal system leadership role in turning this ambition into measurable impact, shaping strategy, driving delivery and leading across organisational and regional boundaries to ensure devolved powers translate into lasting regional prosperity.

This is a high-profile, system-shaping role operating at the heart of a complex partnership landscape. As WMCAs senior economic strategy lead, the postholder will provide visible, collaborative leadership across the organisation and the wider regional ecosystem, aligning Local Authorities, Government Departments, Universities, Investors and Industry behind a shared economic narrative and set of priorities. The Director will ensure regional ambitions are fully aligned with the Modern Industrial Strategy, the Integrated Settlement and the aspirations set out in the English Devolution White Paper, embedding a culture of integration, accountability and delivery.

The role carries significant national and regional influence. The Director will represent the West Midlands in Whitehall, shaping policy discussions, influencing national decision-making and securing new powers and investment. Locally, they will convene and align partners across sectors to strengthen high-growth clusters, unlock innovation and investment, and accelerate place-based development, shaping the future of one of the UKs most dynamic regions.

What you will be doing. Lead the ongoing development and implementation of the West Midlands Growth Plan, ensuring it remains firmly rooted in the West Midlands Theory of Growth, informed by the Governments Modern Industrial Strategy, and supported by robust regional economic intelligence. Provide system leadership across the organisation and region, ensuring alignment between strategy, policy development and delivery, and fostering strong collaboration between local authorities, anchor institutions, business and government partners.

Translate economic strategy into delivery on the ground, working closely with the PMO to ensure effective programme and project management, and providing robust oversight of commissioned services and projects, particularly those supporting the implementation of the West Midlands Growth Plan. Oversee the development and implementation of the Local Growth Pillar of the Integrated Settlement, negotiating key economic outcomes with Government and ensuring alignment with the West Midlands Growth Plan and wider regional priorities.

Lead the management and oversight of significant programme and policy budgets, ensuring strong financial governance, value for money, effective resource allocation and compliance with relevant financial frameworks. Act as senior SME interface with Whitehall, coordinating lobbying activity, think tank engagement and the provision of evidence to Select Committees. Represent WMCA and advocate for the West Midlands to promote regional growth, secure new powers and resources, and champion a clear and compelling regional economic narrative, ensuring the voices of the private sector are represented and considered.

Drive the integration of strategic initiatives across all aspects of economic policy and delivery, with a clear focus on strengthening high-growth clusters, unlocking innovation and investment, supporting place-based development and capitalising on emerging opportunities. Whats essential. A strong track record of developing and delivering major economic strategies or policy programmes that have shaped multi-stakeholder systems and delivered measurable impact. The ability to lead within a devolved governance framework, navigating complex intergovernmental relationships and aligning regional delivery with national policy.

Significant experience operating in politically sensitive environments, exercising sound judgement and managing senior internal and external stakeholders. Deep expertise in regional economic development, with a clear understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing regions like the West Midlands. Senior leadership experience in large, multi-disciplinary organisations, with responsibility for high-performing teams. Outstanding negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to shape decisions across complex stakeholder landscapes, underpinned by strong commercial and business acumen.

Proven track record of strategic financial leadership, including accountability for complex, multi-million-pound budgets, driving financial sustainability, robust governance and alignment of investment decisions with organisational priorities and outcomes. A proven ability to build and sustain strategic partnerships across organisational boundaries and mobilise stakeholders around shared outcomes. Demonstrable…