Job Introduction
Are you ready to shape the future of skills in one of the UK’s most ambitious and fast-evolving regions?
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is seeking a strategic and experienced Senior Delivery Manager to lead our work on higher-level skills across the region.
Last month, we published the West Midlands Growth Plan, setting out a bold vision for inclusive, long-term economic growth. At the heart of this plan is a golden thread: skills. Skills are the key to unlocking opportunity, driving innovation, and ensuring our residents can access high-quality, well-paid jobs.
A cornerstone of our strategy is a renewed focus on higher-level skills, recognising that by 2035, over half of all jobs in the West Midlands will require qualifications at Level 4 and above. As our economy transforms, driven by AI, advanced manufacturing, clean tech, and other high-growth clusters, our skills system and training offer must evolve in tandem.
We’re looking for a Strategic Lead for Higher Level Skills to drive our regional response to this transformation. This is a pivotal role within WMCA’s Employment, Skills, Health and Communities Directorate, where you’ll work at the intersection of policy, delivery, and employer engagement.

WHAT’S ESSENTIAL.

You’ll be a confident and collaborative leader with a strong track record in skills policy, programme design, and employer-led delivery. You’ll bring both strategic insight and practical experience to shape a responsive, inclusive, and future-ready skills system.

We are looking for someone with:

• Significant senior-level experience in the skills sector, with a strong understanding of employer needs and economic development.
• Deep knowledge of government skills policy, funding mechanisms, and delivery frameworks.
• Proven experience in commissioning and managing large-scale, high-impact skills programmes.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills across public, private, and education sectors.
• The ability to analyse labour market trends and shape agile, evidence-based responses.
• A commitment to inclusive growth, social mobility, and improving life chances for residents across the West Midlands.
• A degree in a relevant subject or equivalent professional experience.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

As Strategic Lead for Higher Level Skills, you will play a central role in shaping the region’s skills system to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy. Your work will directly support the ambitions of the West Midlands Growth Plan, the UK’s modern industrial strategy, and our Investment Zone priorities.

• Lead the strategy and delivery of WMCA’s higher-level skills agenda, ensuring alignment with economic growth, productivity, and innovation needs.
• Develop and implement the WMCA Higher-Level Skills Strategy, in line with our strategy for employment and skills.
• Represent WMCA at national and regional forums, such as Skills England and combined authority networks, to influence and shape policy.
• Collaborate with the West Midlands Growth Company, high-growth cluster lead organisations, business support partners, and employer representative bodies to ensure skills interventions are demand-led and future-focused.
• Commission and co-design new curricula and programmes that address gaps in higher-level provision, particularly in clean tech, digital, advanced manufacturing, and health technologies.
• Lead a team responsible for employer-facing training and workforce development, ensuring strong links between learning and labour market needs.
• Manage strategic relationships with colleges, universities, training providers, and employers to foster system-wide collaboration and innovation.
• Maximise investment in the region through co-commissioning, employer co-investment, and national programmes such as the Apprenticeship Levy and Lifelong Learning Entitlement.
• Evaluate and report on programme impact, value for money, and outcomes, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and continuous improvement.

Applying for a role with WMCA is straight forward. Follow these steps to get started.

• Create your Careers Account. Register with your name, email address, and a password.
• Build your Profile. Upload your CV to help populate your career and education details.
• 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