Description
* Hours: 37 Hours per week (full time)
* Contract: Permanent
* Salary: £41,511 - £44,711 (Pay award pending)
* Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)
Are you a creative communicator with a passion for public service and a flair for storytelling? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same? If so, we want to hear from you.
We’re looking for a talented Press Officer to join our busy and dynamic Communications & Marketing team at South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).
This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in shaping the daily news agenda, raising the profile of South Yorkshire’s Mayor and the MCA, and telling the story of how we’re working to improve lives across the region.
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
As Press Officer, you’ll be at the heart of our mission to improve lives across South Yorkshire. You’ll work closely with senior leaders, partners, and colleagues to plan and deliver impactful media relations that support our strategic priorities and enhance our reputation.
You’ll respond to media enquiries, pitch stories to local, regional and national outlets, and create compelling content that informs and inspires. From press releases and social media copy to managing interviews and press conferences, you’ll be at the centre of our communications activity.
This is a politically restricted post and a varied role that will suit someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can manage multiple priorities, and is confident working with senior stakeholders and journalists.
What you’ll be doing
* Deliver proactive and reactive press and media activity for SYMCA and South Yorkshire’s Mayor.
* Build strong relationships with journalists and secure coverage across local, regional and national media.
* Write press releases, social media content and op-eds to promote the work and successes of the Mayor and MCA.
* Monitor the media and political landscape, providing timely advice and spotting opportunities.
* Pitch stories and organise interviews, ensuring the Mayor and senior colleagues are fully briefed.
* Attend events and manage media presence, including press conferences.
* Provide out-of-hours media support on a rota basis.
About you
We’re looking for someone who:
* Has a degree or equivalent experience in PR, journalism, media or a related field.
* Brings experience from a busy press office, agency or news environment, with excellent news judgment.
* Has outstanding writing skills and the ability to turn complex information into clear, engaging content.
* Is passionate about news and understands of the 24/7 media agenda.
* Can juggle multiple priorities and work to tight deadlines with confidence and creativity.
* Is experienced working with social media and digital content.
Please see the full list of essential and desirable criteria for this role within the attached role profile.
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 -
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 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