HR Project Officer

The WMCA HR Team is launching a new project to deliver a new and revised suite of job descriptions to cover all requirements and meet best practice cross the organisation, creating a standardised format to all roles to ensure consistency.

This role will act as a project manager, advising and working with people managers, HR and Reward to reformat existing job descriptions into the new template, and help allocate them to the relevant job families. The role would suit someone who “can see the bigger picture” and utilise their intuition to make suggestions and recommendations to drive the project forward.

Please note this is a 12 month fixed term contract until 31stDecember 2024.

What will you be doing?

• Set up the project plan for the implementation of new and revised job descriptions across the organisation, indicating the milestones to measure progress.
• Review the job description databases to create one version to be utilised across the business.
• Work with managers and other sources to identify any gaps in a job description or update an older version.
• Review current job descriptions that have been job evaluated through the Gauge online system and reformat them into the new job description template, creating control documents.
• Using the job description database and work through each job family to review descriptions and reformat them into the new job description template.
• Advise and work with managers to ensure they describe the accountabilities and person specification requirements of the job role.
• Work with the HR Service Centre to oversee the new job descriptions being allocated to the relevant position in the Position Register.
• Contribute to the setting up of the Job Families and the alignment of job roles to accountabilities and levels, including the rationalisation of job titles.
• Prepare reports that inform the project’s progress making recommendations to improve the design of jobs and their responsibilities and alignment with the job families.

About you

• Knowledge and understanding of the purpose of job descriptions and best practice in job design.
• Proven interpersonal skills, with the ability to work across different teams and communicate at all levels.
• Knowledge and understanding of HR Processes.
• Experience of HR work and delivering business improvement and change.
• Excellent drafting and written skills.
• Ability to take onboard new ideas and skills, with the desire to learn and implement new practices.
• Excellent drafting and written skills.

Creating an Inclusive Workplace

West Midlands Combined Authority is dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace that reflects the communities of the West Midlands region. 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.

How to apply

To apply for a position, we require applicants to upload an up-to-date CV and a supporting statement that demonstrates how they meet the essential criteria for the role. To ensure fairness and impartiality, our application process is designed to be anonymised. We ask that all applicants remove their name and avoid referencing protected characteristics, such as gender or age, when submitting their CV and supporting statement.

We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. However, in exceptional cases where higher skill levels or experience are applicable, 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.

About us

Our vision is to create a better connected, more prosperous, fairer, greener, and healthier region. We aim to achieve this vision by living our values, which include being a partnership organisation, valuing and respecting our people, fostering a can-do attitude, and encouraging innovation. WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as "Leaders in Diversity," and has been recognized as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We are also a Disability Confident Employer, committed to interviewing all applicants with disabilities who meet the essential role criteria. WMCA believes that building a team with varied backgrounds and experiences will benefit us as an employer and enhance our work.

WMCA operates a hybrid way of working, which involves a combination of office-based work and remote work. This approach allows for flexibility and adaptability to meet individual needs and preferences. We understand that not everyone can benefit from this way of working, and so we also promote flexible working options whenever possible to support work-life balance. We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don’t let these factors deter you from applying. If your values align with ours and you are dedicated to working towards a future, we can all be proud of, we would love to hear from you.

Reasonable Adjustments

If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please reach out to our Recruitment Team at careers@wmca.org.uk. We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.

Thank you for considering joining our team at WMCA. We look forward to receiving your application and the opportunity to work together towards our shared goals.