Employee Relations and Policy Specialist

The West Midlands Combined Authority is working to become the best place to work and belong, creating an environment where people feel supported, treated fairly and able to contribute their best. To do that well, our managers need clear, consistent and practical support when dealing with people matters, and our colleagues need confidence that employee relations issues are handled fairly, sensitively and in line with policy. 

As ER & Policy Specialist, you will support the day-to-day delivery of employee relations casework across WMCA. This role is about keeping cases moving, supporting managers with practical advice, maintaining accurate records, following up actions and helping ensure people matters are managed consistently and professionally. We are looking for someone with hands-on experience dealing with ER cases, confidence working with managers, and a willingness to get involved in the administrative detail that sits behind a good ER service. You will also support policy reviews, help embed people policies across the organisation, and provide ER advice that is aligned with employment legislation, internal policy and best practice. 

You will also support change management activity, helping managers work through people-related changes in a structured and compliant way. This could include preparing template documents and letters, supporting consultation processes, advising on risks and different scenarios, and making sure managers have the practical guidance they need to handle change fairly and confidently. 

Please note that we are recruiting for two positions that are both advertised on a 12-month fixed-term contract and interviews are taking place W/C 2nd November.

What you’ll be doing. 

• Manage a high volume and wide range of employee relations cases from informal resolution through to formal hearings, ensuring advice is consistent, timely and aligned to policy and employment legislation. 

What’s essential. 

• Proven experience advising and supporting on informal approaches through to complex employee relations issues across the casework lifecycle 
• Evidence of providing value-add HR advice on a range of employment matters to stakeholders across the entire employee lifecycle. 
• Evidence of using coaching skills to develop manager’s competence and confidence in dealing with people management issues 
• Understanding and knowledge of relevant employment legislation 
• Educated to at least degree level 
• CIPD qualified to level 5  
• Evidence of continued professional development 

For a full list of duties and essential criteria, please refer to the job description attached. 

Hiring Manager: Nathan Morrison 
Talent Acquisition Partner: Tom Bailey 
Pay Scale: SP34 - SP38 

Location. 

The location for these roles is 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3SD with at least 2 days a week spent in the office. 

There may be a requirement to work outside normal office hours on occasion, including working within stakeholder and partner offices within the WMCA constituent area on a regular basis. 

How to apply. 

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

1. Create your Careers Account. Register with your name, email address, and a password.
2. Build your Profile. Upload your CV to help populate your career and education details.
3. Write your Supporting Statement. Make sure to address each of the required essential criteria.
4. Submit your application. Do one final check and once complete, click submit.

Please note, we reserve the right to close any vacancy from further submissions when we have received sufficient applications from which to make a shortlist. Please apply without delay if you wish to be considered for this role. 

Anonymised Applications.

Your uploaded CV won’t be visible after submission. Our process is anonymised, and only the information in your profile is used for shortlisting. Be thorough in each section. It’s your chance to showcase your skills and experience.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

We cannot stop anyone from using AI to help write application content. Used right, it can be a great tool. If you choose to use AI, then use it as a helper rather than relying on it wholly to write your application.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting. For help on how to write a supporting statement, please visit the FAQs section of our careers site.

Reasonable adjustments.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team ([email protected]

Salary and benefits.

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.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).
• Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme where you can build an additional pot of money alongside your pension with contributions exempt from Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs). 
• 28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more) + Statutory days. 
• EV car benefit scheme
• Healthcare plans.
• Discounted gym membership, will writing, and mortgage advice.
• An option to buy a bicycle, including e-bikes and adapted pedal cycles, at a discounted rate.
• 3 days of paid leave each year to volunteer.
• Interest-free financing through SmartTech to buy the latest technology
• Discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers, and more. You can now also obtain a Costco membership through the WMCA.   
• Boundless unlocks unlimited entry to top-rated UK attractions and loads of extra benefits and discounts.
• Eye Care Scheme, offering a free eye test and a financial contribution towards your glasses. 

For more information, please visit the benefits page

Why join WMCA?

WMCA is laser-focused on improving the West Midlands, bringing economic growth, jobs, homes, and better journeys to the region. We target local needs where it matters most, ensuring everyone has a job that pays well and has access to safe and affordable places they can call home.

We put people and place at the heart of everything we do, working hand in hand with our partners to direct funding where it's needed most. What you do, really matters. Your expertise will help make a big difference, improving people's lives, every day.

Our Values and Behaviours. 

Fostering an environment where people feel valued, included, supported, and proud to contribute to our region is important to us at the WMCA. Our behaviours are more than statements; they guide how we work, make decisions, and treat one another - they set the standards we hold ourselves to and the experience we want others to have.

• Collaborative - We work as one organisation. Together we build trust, connection and shared purpose across teams, partners and residents to create the biggest impact for our region.
  
  
• Driven - We are focused on outcomes. We perform at our best to unlock productivity and delivery, achieving the greatest regional impact. 
  
  
• Inclusive - We value difference. Creating an environment where people belong, and feel psychologically safe, so we can all thrive and shape a West Midlands built for everyone.
  
  
• Innovative - We are courageous. We embrace new ideas and challenge the status quo to continuously improve and shape the future of the West Midlands.

Creating an inclusive workplace.

WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as the RACE Code Quality Mark, Armed Forces Covenant (Gold status) and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We’re a Disability Confident Employer with ‘Leader’ status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria.

We are also proud to be a Ban the Box employer, which means we do not ask about criminal convictions at the initial application stage, and will only ask after an offer is made as part of our onboarding checks, which helps us remove barriers for people with past convictions and supporting fair opportunities for all.

We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional "perfect candidate" mould.

We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying

Right to Work in the UK

Proof of Right to Work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) would be required to hold a relevant Visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).