Assistant Director Data and Analytics Transformational Change - Bus Reform
Application Deadline: 7 December 2025
Department: Corporate Delivery
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Sheffield Head Office
Reporting To: Director of Insight
Compensation: £72,733 - £80,571 / year
Description
* Hours: 37 hours
* Contract: Permanent
* Salary: Grade 15 £72,733 - £80,571
* Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)
At South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), we’re entering a transformative era. With new powers and funding unlocked through devolution, we’re building a region where decisions are driven by evidence, innovation, and the needs of our communities. Our bus franchising programme will make a difference to lives across South Yorkshire.
This is your opportunity to be at the heart of that change.
As we transition to a franchised bus system, we’re looking for an exceptional Assistant Director for Data and Analytics Transformational Change to lead the data and analytical work programme that will power this transformation. You will lead on scoping the data, analysis, research and reporting needs for bus franchising, and will set up and lead the team to deliver on these requirements. You’ll help us put data and analysis at the centre of how we design, deliver, and improve transport services—making a real difference to how people live, work, and travel across South Yorkshire.
Applications must be accompanied by a cover letter to detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role (please see role profile attached). Please note, all applications should be made directly via our careers portal.
About the role
As Assistant Director – Data and Analytics Transformational Change for Bus Reform, you will bring your expertise in the transport field to our transition to a franchised bus system in South Yorkshire. We are looking for someone who can take a truly multi-disciplinary approach, thinking about everything from customer experience data to data governance, databasing to performance reporting, always with outcomes for the people of South Yorkshire at the centre.
Collaborative working will be at the centre of your approach, engaging with colleagues across our organisation to scope an analytical work programme which will enable the successful transition to, and delivery of, our franchising aims. You will be an outstanding people leader, recruiting and building a new, high-performing team with a culture aligned to the delivery of our values. You will also be adept at communicating complex analysis and its implications to the most senior audiences.
This is a high-impact senior role that will shape the future of public transport in South Yorkshire.
About you
* Education to degree standard in a relevant discipline.
* Significant experience in a senior role leading a team on data, analysis and management information in transport or bus policy, operations or delivery.
* A deep understanding of data, analysis and management information relevant to bus reform, and of its surrounding landscape including practices and legal requirements around data collection, management and sharing.
* The ability to draw relevant, targeted insights from multiple sources of data and analysis, ensuring insights are effectively communicated in an appropriate way for a policy or delivery audience.
* Significant experience in taking a multi-disciplinary approach, understanding what disciplines outside your own can bring, and drawing together insights from different disciplines for a senior audience.
* A strong track record in the formulation and delivery of strategies and work programmes from scratch, which align with organisational priorities, deliver tangible results and improve outcomes.>
* Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
* Significant experience engaging effectively with key partners within and outside your organisation.
* The proven ability to deliver a diverse and complex portfolio of workstreams and projects to time, budget and quality, using PPM techniques.
* Excellent oral and written communication skills.
* Experience of successfully leading, managing, and motivating a team to achieve their maximum potential, building a positive, collaborative team culture.
Please refer to the full person specification in the job description in your application.
Benefits
All colleagues have access to a Local Government Pension Scheme and the chance to be part of an organisation where you can really make a difference. Located in Sheffield City Centre, we are well-placed for transport links and encourage employees to take advantage of the active travel facilities. Work/life balance is extremely important to us here at SYMCA with our recognised family/friendly policies, genuine work flexibility, recognition, and shared success.
Continuous Employment – If you are currently employed by a Local Government employer, or any other employer under the Redundancy Modification Scheme, and do not have a break in service, your length of service can be transferred upon starting. This will apply to entitlement calculations including annual leave, maternity leave and enhanced sick pay.
Enhanced Holiday Entitlement – From 28 to 36 days annual leave entitlement (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays. Pro-rata for part time colleagues.
Annual Leave Purchase Scheme – The ability to purchase up to a further 15 days per year in addition to your normal annual leave.
Hybrid working – Our offices are a space where we come together and collaborate. Most of our roles are offered on a hybrid basis with the exception of some support roles being onsite full time. Please note, unless specified within the job advert, we cannot accommodate remote working contracts.
Flexible Hours Scheme – Most roles within SYMCA work under the Flexi-Scheme which allows office‑based employees’ flexibility and discretion over their working hours. Under the scheme employees can accrue a defined amount of credit or debit of working hours, and to take time‑off in the form of Flexi-Leave or banked Annual Leave.
Rewarding You – Reducing everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more with Reward Gateway and Cycle-to-Work schemes.
Training on the job – Support with upskilling skills through on‑the‑job training and qualifications.
Professional Membership Fees – Where membership to Professional bodies is applicable to your role, SYMCA will reimburse your membership fees where applicable and following approval by Line Management.
Diversity at South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority
Our workforce is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‑economic background, religion and/or belief.
All employees are eligible to request Flexible Working arrangements from day one of employment, and all requests will be considered subject to operation requirements.
Where candidates share disabilities within the application process, if they demonstrate that they meet all essential criteria from the Role Profile within their application, they will automatically be invited to interview.
If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the process, please contact recruitment@southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk or include within your application form detailing the adjustment and how it will assist in managing any barriers.
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