West Midlands Combined Authority
Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing
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Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing
The West Midlands Combined Authority is seeking a Head of Health, Safety & Wellbeing to lead one of the most important agendas at the heart of our organisation. This is a rare opportunity to shape how a high-profile, fast-evolving public body creates safe, healthy and high-performing environments for our people, partners and communities.
At WMCA, our purpose is clear: together, we are making the West Midlands the best place to live, work and visit. Our People & Culture Strategy is central to delivering that ambition by making WMCA the best place to work and belong, where talented people can thrive, grow and make a meaningful difference for the region.
Being safe and well is one of our core organisational priorities. We believe that when people feel physically safe, psychologically supported and able to perform at their best, they deliver the greatest impact for the communities we serve. This role will be instrumental in embedding that culture across WMCA, ensuring health, safety and wellbeing are visible, valued and owned by everyone.
Reporting to the Chief People & Culture Officer, you will be our lead professional authority and trusted adviser to senior leaders and Executive Board members on all aspects of health, safety and wellbeing. You will shape strategy, strengthen governance, provide independent assurance and build a modern, organisation-wide function that supports delivery across corporate services, transport, infrastructure, commissioning and future devolved responsibilities.
We are looking for a credible, forward-thinking leader who can influence at the highest levels, navigate complex risk environments and champion wellbeing as a driver of inclusion, resilience and performance. You will share our values of being Collaborative, Inclusive, Driven and Innovative, and help create the conditions where everyone can thrive.
If you want to lead meaningful change, make a visible impact and help create a safer, healthier organisation that is delivering for the West Midlands, this is your opportunity.
What you’ll be doing. Acting as WMCA’s lead professional authority and competent person for health, safety and wellbeing. Providing independent, evidence based assurance and advice to the Chief People & Culture Officer, Executive Board on HS&W risk, compliance, capability and performance. Ensuring WMCA, its subsidiaries, delivery partners and franchised or commissioned services operate within a clear, consistent and robust Safety Management System. Defining and maintaining clear duty holder, client and assurance boundaries across complex delivery and partnership arrangements.
What’s essential. Senior leadership experience in health, safety and wellbeing within a complex, multi‑disciplinary or public sector organisation. Demonstrable experience of operating as the competent person and senior duty holder adviser at organisational or system level. Proven experience of developing and implementing Safety Management Systems across diverse operational and delivery environments. Experience of providing independent assurance and professional advice to executive-level decision makers. NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent level qualification). Chartered Member of IOSH (or working towards).
For a full list of duties and essential criteria, please refer to the job description attached.
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Location. The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3SD with at least 2 days a week spent in the office.
How to apply. Applying for a role with WMCA is straightforward. 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.
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 (careers@wmca.org.uk).
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 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.
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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, building trust, connection and shared purpose across teams, partners and customers to create the biggest impact for our region. Driven - Focussed on impact - leading with clarity, care and courage to deliver meaningful results for the West Midlands. Inclusive - Every voice matters - we create belonging, fairness and psychological safety so everyone can thrive. Innovative - We think future and act smarter - embracing curiosity, creativity and continuous improvement to shape the future.
Creating an inclusive workplace. We are committed to ensuring West Midlands Combined Authority is the best place to work and belong. Our ambition is to have a workforce that reflects the diversity of the West Midlands community we serve. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. We are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process.
We are an accredited Living Wage Employer, committed to fair pay and ensuring all our people are paid at least the real Living Wage.
We are proud to hold numerous diversity and inclusion accreditations, including The RACE Equality Code, White Ribbon and The Halo Code. As a Disability Confident Leader and a Gold Award holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants, veterans and reservists who meet the essential criteria.
As a Ban the Box employer, we do not ask about criminal convictions during the application stage and will only do so after a conditional offer, supporting fair access to opportunities.
We recognise that some people may be less likely to apply if they do not meet every requirement. If you are passionate about the role and our purpose, we encourage you to apply and highlight your transferable skills and potential. We value diverse perspectives, transferable skills, and a passion for making a difference more than ticking every box. We welcome part-time, flexible and job share arrangements wherever possible.
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).
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