Project Sponsor
| Posting date: | 04 June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £53,120 to £59,417 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Competitive |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 21 June 2026 |
| Location: | 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3SD |
| Company: | West Midlands Combined Authority |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | WMCA/TP/155/879 |
Summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a Project Sponsor to work as a key part of our management team on an ambitious pipeline of Active and Sustainable Travel community based projects, working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
You will play a crucial role in championing and serving as the client for the advancement and execution of projects, specifically on sustainable and active travel development, engagement and activation. Our programme is aimed at creating opportunities that enable people to access sustainable, affordable, safe and inclusive travel for everyday journeys, unlocking the economic, health and environmental benefits for our region.
The role requires stakeholder management across a number of funders, local authorities, industry partners and central government. Reporting to the Head of Active & Sustainable Communities, you will be responsible to managing the scope of the projects, developing business cases, and managing stakeholders.
This is the perfect role for someone who really wants to make a difference and enrich communities by connecting people to each other, to jobs, education and local services. We need someone who is an effective communicator and results driven.
What you will be doing
- Lead and manage a team, fostering collaboration, innovation, and professional development.
- Ensure adherence to the West Midlands Combined Authority, Department for Transport and other project governance processes.
- Prepare and confidentially present high-quality reports, briefings, business cases, and other governance materials to support evidence-based decision making.
- Engaging with a wider Project Sponsor Network
- Manage and direct the activities and performance of consultants, professional services suppliers and contractors.
- Lead on the management of project requirements.
- Identify and champion opportunities for improvement.
- Examine and challenge projects to monitor the delivery of agreed outcomes and requirements.
What’s essential
- Line Management experience and evidence of continuous professional development in leadership and management
- Experience of project management, processes and applications
- Experience of preparing and presenting reports
- Experience working with a range of project stakeholders including delivery partners, elected representatives, and the wider public
- Experience in the commercial management of contractors and and professional service providers
- Experience of providing support and challenge to project teams and project stakeholders in a complex and fast-paced environment
- Proven ability to work independently and in a matrix environment to deliver high quality outputs to meet the project needs
- Knowledge of scope management, including requirements and change management processes
- Excellent analytical skills
- Creative and proactive approach to problem solving and risk identification / mitigation
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Excellent presentation skills
Location.
The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane 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 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.
- EV car benefit scheme
- Healthcare plans.
- 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.
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.
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.
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).
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme