People Business Partner - Transport

West Midlands Combined Authority; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A public sector organisation in Birmingham seeks an experienced People Business Partner to act as a strategic partner to senior leaders, embedding people priorities into decision-making and change programmes. The ideal candidate will have extensive HR experience, particularly in the transport sector, and a strong track record in influencing leaders and supporting organisational change. This role involves leading complex employee relations and developing people strategies to enhance performance and inclusion within a high-pressure environment. A relevant degree and CIPD level 5 qualification are required.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

28 days paid annual leave

Discounted gym membership

Interest-free technology financing

Paid volunteer leave

Discounted shopping options

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a strategic HR or people partnering role.
• Demonstrated ability to influence business challenges.
• Evidence of supporting organisational change.

Responsibilities

• Act as a strategic partner to senior leaders.
• Design and deliver people strategies.
• Lead on complex employee relations issues.
• Use workforce data to drive improvements.
• Collaborate across functions to deliver value-led service.

Skills

Influencing senior leaders

Employee relations

Organisational change

Coaching skills

Problem-solving

Analytical capability

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Education

Degree level education

CIPD qualified to level 5

Job description

Drive Transformation Across Transport at WMCA.

At WMCA, transformation goes beyond systems and structures, it’s about building an inclusive, high-performing organisation where people thrive.

As a People Business Partner, you’ll be a trusted advisor to senior leaders, embedding people priorities into strategic decisions and change programmes. From organisational redesign to complex TUPE transfers, you’ll ensure every transition is delivered with clarity, fairness, and pace. You’ll use workforce insights to shape decisions, coach leaders to lead confidently through change, and champion wellbeing and inclusion at every stage.

If you’re an experienced People Business Partner within the Transport Sectorwith a strong track record in strategic HR, organisational change, and TUPE, we’d love to hear from you.

Please note, this is a 12 month Fixed Term Contract.

What will you be doing.

• Act as a strategic partner to senior leaders, embedding people priorities into planning, decision-making, and change programmes.
• Design and deliver people strategies that drive performance, inclusion, and organisational growth.
• Lead on complex employee relations, organisational change, and leadership development.
• Use workforce data and insight to influence decisions and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Build trusted relationships to support confident, inclusive leadership across WMCA.
• Collaborate across People & Culture functions to deliver a seamless, values-led service.
• Champion fairness, wellbeing, and consistency in people practices.
• Contribute to strategic projects that support transformation and enable people to thrive.

What you will need.

• Proven experience in a strategic HR or people partnering role within a complex organisation.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and shape people responses to business challenges.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional input from HR specialisms (e.g. ER, Reward, OD, Inclusion).
• Evidence of supporting organisational change processes.
• Evidence of using coaching skills to develop manager’s competence and confidence in dealing with people management issues.
• Strong understanding of employment law, people policy, and organisational change.
• Skilled in using people data and insight to inform decisions and drive improvement.
• Excellent interpersonal, coaching, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A flexible, consultative and solution-focused approach.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a high level of tact, discretion and diplomacy.
• A proven track record of delivery in a high-pressure environment and working to pace.
• Ability to exercise effective judgement and risk.
• Problem-solving and analytical capability.
• Educated to at least degree level.
• CIPD qualified to level 5.
• Evidence of continued professional development.

Location.

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3SD with at least 2 days a week spent in the office and/or appropriate to the role.

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 ([e-mail] ).

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 Contributionscheme 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.
• Discounted gym membership, will writing,andmortgage 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 Costcomembership through the WMCA.
• Boundlessunlocks unlimited entry to top-rated UK attractions and loads of extra benefits and discounts.
• EyeCare 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.

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 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).

• Job Type Human resources / OD / Training
• Directorate People & Culture