Description
* Hours: 37 hours per week (full time)
* Contract: Permanent
* Salary: Grade 12 £55,949 - £59,907
* Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)
This is an exciting time to join SYMCA as we deliver one of the biggest changes to public transport in a generation. Following overwhelming public support, we are bringing South Yorkshire’s buses back under public control through bus franchising. This means SYMCA will take responsibility for planning routes, setting fares, and ensuring high standards of reliability, safety, and cleanliness. The first franchised services will begin in 2027, with full rollout by 2029, creating a more integrated, affordable, and passenger-focused network. As one of two Principal Project Managers reporting to the Programme Delivery Lead, you will play a key role in leading and delivering the change needed to make this transformation a success.
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 .
Interviews will take place W/c 19th January 2026
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
We’re looking for two experienced Principal Project Managers to lead a set of large and complex transport projects - either commercially or operationally focused - across the Bus Franchising Programme, helping to drive the change required to deliver bus franchising in South Yorkshire. This is your opportunity to make a real impact on South Yorkshire’s future.
You’ll lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage large budgets, working with subject matter experts to ensure projects are delivered on time and within scope. You’ll also be responsible for stakeholder engagement, governance compliance, and risk management throughout project lifecycles.
Your main responsibilities will include:
* Driving a set of projects to ensure delivery against agreed funding, outputs, and timescales.
* Managing, leading and coaching a team of Project Managers.
* Identifying and managing interdependencies across the projects you are responsible for, working with others to do the same across the programme.
* Managing project budgets and ensuring robust financial control.
* Producing and maintaining accurate project documentation, including schedules, reports, risk logs, and forecasts.
* Proactively managing risks, issues, and changes to keep projects on track.
* Overseeing procurement processes, including tender documentation and contract administration.
* Building strong relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, partners, and the public, managing engagement effectively.
About you
You’ll be a confident and experienced Principal Project Manager with a proven track record of change management and delivering large, complex and interdependent projects. You’ll combine technical knowledge with strong leadership and communication skills, and you’ll be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities.
We’re looking for someone who has:
* Significant project management experience and a professional project management qualification such as APM
* Practitioner-level project management skills (Prince2 or similar) or equivalent experience.
* Substantial experience managing multi-disciplinary projects.
* Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands.
* Excellent communication skills, able to produce clear, concise reports and advice for diverse audiences.
* Significant experience and knowledge of change management.
* Commercial awareness.
* A proactive approach to problem-solving and adaptability to changing circumstances.
* Experience in stakeholder engagement.
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.
In addition to the above, some of benefits include -
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 additional 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 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.
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 SYMCA has a great story to tell. We have ambitions to deliver recovery and renewal for people, businesses and places across South Yorkshire.
In recent years significant funding has been secured through the Transforming Cities Fund and a devolution deal, and further funding has recently been secured through the region’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement. As result we have a large and growing capital programme to deliver in support of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Mayor’s 2040 vision for transport. Join our workforce of talented people who love working together – and are proud of the work they do. Progression here can take you in all kinds of directions.
This is what a career at South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority is like, and this is where yours starts.
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.
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 does not hold a sponsorship licence and cannot provide Skilled Worker sponsorship for any roles advertised.
Please note, we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than indicated on the Job Advert should we receive a high volume of applicants.
All applications must be submitted directly via our Careers Website