Senior Delivery Manager - Quality and Policy

Are you passionate about ensuring the highest standards in public service delivery? Do you have the strategic expertise and people leadership skills to shape policy and influence quality across complex, high-impact programmes?

If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) as a Senior Delivery Manager – Quality & Policy.

This is a crucial role within our Employment, Skills, Health and Communities Directorate (ESHC). You’ll lead the implementation and oversight of our Quality & Standards Framework system, ensuring residents and employers receive consistently high-quality experience across all our funded programmes, and that we meet national expectations around compliance, performance and risk management.

From audit and complaints to strategic partnerships and continuous improvement, you’ll take a proactive approach to quality, helping us deliver on our single settlement commitments and achieve meaningful outcomes for our region.

What you will be doing.

• Leading the monitoring and assurance of quality across all ESHC programme activity.
• Designing, implementing, and embedding processes to support continuous improvement.
• Overseeing customer complaints and whistleblowing procedures to ensure timely, appropriate resolution.
• Managing a small quality and audit team to coordinate audits and support partners.
• Engaging with national government, mayoral combined authorities and oversight bodies such as Ofsted to align on standards and share best practice.
• Acting as WMCA’s subject matter expert on quality assurance, risk, audit and compliance within Employment and Skills.
• Contributing to the design of commissioning frameworks, ensuring quality is embedded from procurement through to evaluation.
• Reporting on strategic risks related to quality and performance, and proposing mitigating actions.
• Representing WMCA in key policy forums and contributing to the evolution of devolved powers by feeding in evidence from delivery.
• Supporting the Head of Service and deputising as required.

What's Essential.

• Experience leading quality assurance and audit functions, ideally within employment and skills.
• An understanding of funding, compliance, and delivery risk in government or devolved programmes.
• A strategic mindset, capable of aligning policy, delivery and stakeholder need.
• Strong analytical and process design skills, with a keen eye for continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across all levels including national government and external regulators.
• Experience managing teams and supporting colleagues through coaching and clear performance frameworks.
• Ability to balance operational oversight with strategic policy engagement.

Location.

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

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 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).