Description
* Hours: 37 hours
* Contract: 2 years fixed term (funded project)
* Salary: £45,718 - £48,710
* 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.
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.
Please note South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority does not hold a sponsorship licence and cannot provide Skilled Worker sponsorship for any roles advertised.
Applications must be accompanied by a cover letter to detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role (please see role profile attached).
Key Responsibilities
This is an exciting time to join South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. As a Strategic Authority, we’re unlocking the highest level of powers and funding through devolution, including eligibility for an integrated settlement from April 2026. This means we can better align the priorities of our communities with how we invest in their future.
Our Mayor’s commitments—spanning growth, communities, the environment, and health—are underpinned by six principles that guide how we work. As part of this, we’re expanding our analytical capacity and capability, putting evidence at the heart of our thinking and embracing innovative approaches to design and delivery.
We’re now recruiting a Social Researcher to join our Insight Team. This new role will generate insight from social research and provide expert advice to senior leaders, focusing on Mayoral priorities and embedding our principles in everything we do. You’ll scope and deliver research projects that put people at the heart of decision-making, identifying and reporting on social trends that matter to South Yorkshire.
What You’ll Be Doing:
* Lead the scoping and design of research projects, working with senior leaders to influence policy and service design.
* Identify and apply the most appropriate research methods to collect robust evidence.
* Conduct qualitative and quantitative research, creating primary datasets in line with ethical standards.
* Analyse data to generate insight, ensuring quality assurance throughout.
* Produce clear, engaging reports and presentations for a range of audiences, including senior officers and the public.
* Build strong relationships with external partners, including local authorities and universities.
* Manage multiple research projects simultaneously, maintaining pace and quality.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
We’re looking for a skilled and experienced researcher who can lead complex projects and translate evidence into meaningful insight. You’ll be confident working across disciplines and with diverse stakeholders, and passionate about using research to improve outcomes for people in South Yorkshire.
About you:
* Education to degree level, with relevant training in social research.
* Proven experience applying qualitative research methods and conducting qualitative analysis.
* Strong statistical analytical skills, including designing data collection and evaluation methods.
* In-depth knowledge of legal and ethical aspects of data collection and disclosure control.
* Experience managing multiple research projects from scoping to dissemination.
* Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex insight to non-technical audiences and senior stakeholders.
* Ability to build collaborative relationships with analysts and policy colleagues internally and externally.
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 -
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.
Rewarding You - Reducing everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more with Reward Gateway!
Training on the job - Support with upskilling skills through on the job training and qualifications
Holiday – Up to 36 days annual leave (depending on length of service). Pro-rata for part time colleagues.
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. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.
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.
All applications must be submitted directly via our Careers Website