Senior Insight and Strategy Officer (Fares and Ticketing)
| Posting date: | 19 August 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £43,936 to £48,810 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Competitive |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 12 September 2025 |
| Location: | 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3SD |
| Company: | West Midlands Combined Authority |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | WMCA/TP/155/643 |
Summary
We’re excited to offer a brand-new opportunity for a Senior Insight and Strategy Officer to join our team to help us improve our fares, concessions, ticketing and retail service. In this position, you will play a delivery and commissioning role to ensure we have the evidence, insight, and strategic recommendations needed to guide strategy and continuous improvements.
This is a great opportunity to shape how fares, concessions, ticketing, and retail evolve in a transforming transport system. You’ll be working at the heart of a complex and high-impact service area, interpreting diverse information sources to guide strategy and continuous improvement that will have real impact for our citizens and customers. You’ll also be helping the organisation navigate the balance between public outcomes and commercial imperatives, at a critical moment for franchising and future devolution.
The role provides a unique blend of commissioning and delivery: you’ll define the organisation’s insight needs and oversee the sourcing and processing of performance data (typically carried out by others), while also directly leading research and analysis where needed to generate strategic insight.
What you will be doing
Within fares, concessions, ticketing and retail you will:
- Develop a new strategically aligned performance framework that helps the organisation consider its commercial and public outcome interests in this arena.
- Lead annual programmes of performance reporting (covering business-as-usual and evaluation of projects/change) and research.
- Define and commission our area’s management and performance information requirements - including data sourcing, processing, and presenting.
- Work with suppliers to ensure they are delivering any commissioned requirements in line with best practice and agreed specifications.
- Provide evidence-based service improvement recommendations to inform strategy and continuous improvement.
- Support projects by working with project sponsors and managers in the development of monitoring and evaluation plans.
- Communicate findings of performance analysis, research and horizon scanning with internal stakeholders, partners, and broader relevant professional networks and events.
- Support the organisation understand how its analytical requirements in this area can be delivered within the new bus franchising operating model.
What’s essential
We’re looking for an experienced analyst who is experienced and skilled in:
- delivery and commissioning of performance information and research
- the end-to-end processes of analysis; sourcing, processing, analysing and interpreting data and information
- thinking critically about business challenges and pulling together and analysing the diverse mix of information sources needed to provide robust understanding of issues
- switching between big picture and detail-oriented thinking
- turning analysis into recommendations for service/business strategy and continuous improvements
- working with a breadth of experts and other professionals with different professional perspectives and organisational interests
- communicating across a range of formats and forums to diverse audiences
- managing your own workplan confidently, while staying aligned with strategic direction and seeking input where needed.
Location.
The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane with at least 1 day a week spent in the office.
How to apply.
Applying for a role with WMCA is straight forward. 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 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).
- 28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more)
- EV car benefit scheme
- Ethical saving options and healthcare plans.
- Discounted gym membership, will writingandmortgage 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.
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).
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme