Head of People Business Partnering and Strategic Planning; Deputy Chief People & Culture Officer

At the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), we’re on a bold mission: to make our region the best place to live, work, and visit. Since our launch in 2016, we’ve been working hand-in-hand with local councils and partners to deliver transformative change across transport, housing, net zero, skills, and economic growth.

Our newly formed

People & Culture Services directorate, led by Sarah Lal, Chief People & Culture Officer (CPCO), is at the heart of this transformation. We’ve set a fresh purpose, crafted a forward-thinking strategy, and are now rolling out anew Target Operating Model - designed to elevate employee experience, boost productivity, and align with WMCA’s ambitious goals.

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

We’re not just changing how we work, we’re changing how we think, collaborate, and lead. A new structure and fresh ways of working are taking shape, and you could be part of this exciting journey.

We’re now looking for a dynamic and visionary

Head of People Business Partnering and Strategic Planning to deputise for the Chief People & Culture Officer and lead the integration of our people strategy into every aspect of organisational performance. As the most senior People Business Partner at WMCA, you’ll play a pivotal role in enabling confident, inclusive, and future‑focused leadership across all directorates.

Acting as a deputy conduit between Executive leadership and the People & Culture Services, you’ll ensure our people priorities are aligned with our transformation goals, service outcomes, and core values. If you feel like you’re already an ambassador of our values (Driven, Inclusive, Innovative and Collaborative), this might be the role for you.

• Shape and lead a future‑ready, values‑led business partnering model aligned with transformation goals.
• Act as the senior people advisor to Executive Directors on behalf of the CPCO as required, influencing strategy, governance, and investment through people insight.
• Embed people strategy into organisational design, change programmes, and workforce planning.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing People Business Partnering team, building strategic capability and succession.
• Champion inclusive, ethical, and evidence‑based leadership, aligned with CIPD and Civil Service HR standards.
• Ensure seamless collaboration across People & Culture Services, driving innovation and high performance.
• Provide strategic oversight of people risks, trends, and governance, using data to inform decisions.
• Lead people‑input into business cases and investment planning, ensuring value for money and alignment with financial goals.
• Represent WMCA in senior forums and deputise for the CPCO as needed.

• CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent senior‑level HR experience).
• Extensive experience in a senior HRBP or strategic people leadership role within a complex, multi‑stakeholder environment.
• Proven track record of influencing executive‑level decision‑making through people insight and strategic advice.
• Experience coordinating cross‑functional People input across the employee lifecycle.
• Experience leading and developing high‑performing HRBP teams and embedding business partnering models.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, people policy and public sector governance.
• Deep understanding of strategic workforce planning, organisational design, and change leadership.
• Skilled in using data, evidence, and systems thinking to drive people strategy and organisational outcomes.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, coaching, and influencing skills at Executive level.
• Strong awareness of strategic workforce drivers and…