Metro mayor Andy Street seeks leader to front ‘digital revolution’

West Midlands Combined Authority is based in the region’s largest city – and the country’s second largest – Birmingham  Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Archive/Press Association Images

The West Midlands Combined Authority is recruiting for a chief digital officer to spearhead a “digital revolution” across the region.

The digital chief, who will report directly into mayor Andy Street, will be tasked with leading digitisation and technology initiatives across four key areas. 

The first of these is “digital strategy”. In this area the chief digital officer will work with Street and other members of WMCA’s Digital Board to develop and roll out a digital strategy for the West Midlands. The second area is “digital government”, where the chosen candidate will work to use data and technology to best effect to deliver citizen services.

In the area of “digital infrastructure”, the chief digital officer will be expected to improve the scope and performance of the region’s connectivity infrastructure. 

The final focus for the CDO will be “digital funding”. In this area, they will be expected to help propel the digital strategy by working to “secure significant investment from both the private and public sector, including devolved government funds for our region”.

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Street said: “We’re looking for someone who is as passionate about the success of the region and digital as we are. Someone who is driven by the opportunity to bring about real change and positively impact the lives of millions of people.”

He added: “We believe digital is vital to the success of our economy. It is the golden thread across all industries, from construction and manufacturing, to life science and professional services, which will provide jobs in the 21st century. If you share this view and have the skills to get the job done, then we want to hear from you.”

WMCA is working on the recruitment process with Harvey Nash. Any interested candidates, or those wishing to find out more, are advised to get in touch with the recruitment firm by emailing Natalie Whittlesey or Rajeda Rahman.

West Midlands Combined Authority came into being in 2016, ahead of Street’s election the following year as one of a number of new metro mayors throughout the UK. Seventeen city, county, borough, or district councils – including seven full constituent members and 10 non-constituents – are members of WMCA, as are three local enterprise partnerships. Herefordshire Council and The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership are “observer organisations”, as are the West Midlands’ Fire and Rescue Authority, and its Police and Crime Commissioner.