Interim Assistant Director News and Media
Application Deadline: 25 November 2025
Department: Communications and Marketing
Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time
Location: Sheffield Head Office
Reporting To: Director of Communications
Compensation: £65,966 - £71,091 / year
Description
* Hours: 37 hours per week (full time)
* Contract: Fixed Term - 6 months
* Salary: Grade 14 £65,966 - £71,091 (Pay award pending)
* Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)
The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) brings together the local authorities of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield and to serve the communities and businesses of South Yorkshire. From transport to housing, from business growth to skills, the MCA has a great story to tell. We have ambitions to deliver recovery and renewal for people, businesses and places across South Yorkshire. A strong public transport network supports good economic and inclusive growth.
Please note: This role is politically restricted under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Postholders are prohibited from standing for elected office (except Town or Parish Councils) and from engaging in certain political activities, including canvassing or acting as an officer of a political party. Roles listed as "specified" in Section 2.1 of the Act have no right of appeal. Further details are available on request and are available in the SYMCA - Politically Restricted Post List
Please note that SYMCA follows a structured salary grading system for all roles, and the offered salary for each post will be at the starting point within the specified grade. We value the skills and experience of potential candidates, and there will be opportunities for salary enhancements as you grow within South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is currently in the process of reviewing its terms and conditions of employment including pay and grading. As part of this project, the post advertised may be subject to changes in the near future. All changes and any impact on individual posts will be discussed further should you be successfully appointed to the position you have applied for.
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.
Please note South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority does not hold a sponsorship licence and cannot provide Skilled Worker sponsorship for any roles advertised.
About the role
The Interim Assistant Director of News and Media will be a senior member of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Communications Team, reporting to the Director of Communications.
The postholder will support the Mayor and SYMCA on strategic media matters, securing high‑profile media opportunities with a particular focus on national media. They will work with the press team to ensure SYMCA shapes the daily news agenda and promotes priorities to various audiences. They will provide senior counsel to the Mayor and senior leadership, build strong relationships with journalists, producers and editors, and ensure effective media engagement.
About you
We would love to hear from those that have the following:
Substantial experience in a management role within a fast‑paced communications team or a press office. Ideally with some experience gained working within a government or political environment.
Significant experience of leading on proactive and reactive media, drafting press releases, securing op‑ed articles, feature interviews, delivering press conferences, and providing media briefings for spokespeople.
Substantial experience of working with local, regional and national media across print, broadcast and digital is essential.
Ability and experience of securing opportunities for guest interviews on podcasts and high‑level speaking opportunities at conferences and events.
Can demonstrate strong stakeholder relationships internally and externally, identifying and delivering communications plans and deliverable within specified timescales and within budget.
The postholder will have a proven ability of leadership at senior level as this role will require them to work in a collaborative manner with the Mayor, elected Members, senior leaders across directorates, and local authority colleagues, external partners, community members and other bodies that interact with this role. Experience of providing strategic and tactical counsel to senior leaders and ability to influence, negotiate and challenge is a must.
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.
Benefits include
* 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 Mayoral Combined 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 as such 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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