Head of Organisational Design, Change and Transformation

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is dedicated to making the West Midlands the best place to live, work, and visit.

Established in 2016, WMCA partners with local councils, and collaborates and delivers for the region - driving forward initiatives in transport, net zero, housing, skills, and economic development.

People & Culture Services is a newly formed directorate, and it is undergoing some exciting change. Led by Sarah Lal - the team has set a new purpose, is developing a new People & Culture strategy and is at the implementation stage of a newly developed Target Operating Model; all to meet the ambitions of the WMCA and lead the organisations Transformation and Change.

The team are now at the implementation stage of the new model, and this has led to clearer strategic priorities aligned to the WMCA, an increase in capability and specialism and a greater focus on employee experience and productivity.

The team is now focussed on the following areas:

• Health, Safety and Wellbeing
• Facilities, Workplace Services and Business Continuity
• Talent Acquisition and Workforce Planning
• Total Reward and Pay
• Strategic Business Partnering
• HR Operations, Policy and Shared Services
• Professions and Workforce Development
• Organisational Design, Development and Change
• Learning, EDI and Employee Experience

A new structure and ways of working are being established – and this is where you fit in.

We’re seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to join us as the Head of Organisational Design, Change & Transformation within the People & Culture senior leadership team.

This pivotal and new role is responsible for leading WMCA’s organisational effectiveness agenda, ensuring we have the structures, leadership, and culture needed to deliver our long-term priorities.

Strategic Leadership

• Provide visionary leadership across People & Culture Services, aligning our new and emerging strategy with WMCA’s purpose and strategic objectives.
• Shape and deliver system-wide transformation, organisation development, and inclusive change.
• Represent WMCA at national forums, building strategic alliances and influencing public sector innovation.

Governance & Assurance

• Share collective responsibility for corporate governance, financial stewardship, and regulatory compliance.
• Act as a senior decision-maker across internal governance forums and programme boards.
• Deputise for the Chief People & Culture Officer, holding delegated authority for strategic change and transformation.

People & Culture

• Lead high-performing teams, championing inclusive leadership and professional excellence.
• Drive employee engagement, EDI, and leadership development across all levels.
• Sponsor staff networks and development initiatives to foster a values-driven culture and a high-performing organisation.

Operational Delivery

• Oversee the design and implementation of organisational development, change programmes, and leadership frameworks.
• Ensure organisational readiness for change through adaptive practices and stakeholder engagement.
• Commission and evaluate external delivery partners to ensure quality, impact, and value.

Financial Stewardship

• Act as designated budget holder, accountable for strategic budget management and value-for-money delivery.
• Support financial appraisal of structural changes and business cases aligned with governance protocols.

Advisory & Influence

• Serve as senior adviser to the Chief People & Culture Officer and Executive Board on organisational effectiveness.
• Leverage data and behavioural insights to inform strategic decisions and drive innovation.

What you need.

• Fellow CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent) in OD, HR, or Change, with a strong track record of continued professional development in leadership and transformation.
• Significant senior leadership experience (Head of/Assistant Director/Director level) in organisational development, change, or people transformation within complex, unionised public sector environments.
• Proven success in leading cross-functional, organisation-wide change programmes and developing strategies that drive cultural and structural transformation.
• Demonstrated ability to influence Boards, Executives, and external stakeholders, with political awareness and strong partnership-building skills.
• Deep knowledge of organisational design, change, and transformation practices, with the ability to apply OD theory to drive inclusive, evidence-led culture change.
• A confident, values-led leader with excellent judgement, communication, and coaching skills, capable of navigating complexity and ambiguity with clarity and purpose.

Location.

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane. We currently operate a hybrid working model, where the expectation is 2 days a week minimum, subject to business requirements. Due to the importance of this role and the new structure, it may be that you spend more time in the office for the start of your role.

How to apply.

Applying for a role with WMCA is straight forward. 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.

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).
• 28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more), giving you have ample time to relax.
• Ethical saving options and healthcare plans.
• Discounted gym membership.
• 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.

For more information, please visit the benefits page on our career site.

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.

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 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).