Description
* Hours: 37 hours
* Contract: Permanent - Full Time
* Salary: Grade 13 £61,352 - £66,514
* Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)
Leading a high‑performing Mayor’s Office at the heart of the organisation you will play a central role in supporting the delivery of the Mayor’s and South Yorkshire’s priorities.
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority is seeking an exceptional leader to head the Mayor’s Office. Providing strategic leadership, trusted advice and managing a high performing team you will ensure the Mayor is fully supported to deliver their Manifesto commitments and South Yorkshire’s ambitions..
As Head of Mayor’s Office, you’ll work closely with the Executive Director and senior management team to align the Mayor’s priorities with MCA-wide programmes, ensuring clear communication, strong governance, and seamless coordination across all directorates. You will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for strategic briefings, stakeholder engagement, portfolio alignment, diary and correspondence management, and the smooth operation of the Mayor’s Office.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a highly organised, politically aware and collaborative leader who thrives at the heart of a fast‑paced, high‑profile strategic environment.
Applications must be accompanied by a cover letter to detail how you meet the criteria as detailed within the role profile. (please see role profile attached). Please note, all applications should be made directly via our careers portal .
The hiring team are planning to work to the following dates:
* Shortlisting - Week commencing 13 April
* Interviews - Week commencing 20 April onward
POLITICALLY RESTRICTED POST - STATUTORY DEPUTY CHIEF OFFICER
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. Post holders do not have the right to apply to be exempted.
About the role
You will provide comprehensive diary, administrative and coordination support to ensure the Mayor is fully prepared for meetings, events and public engagements. You will be responsible for maintaining accurate records, managing correspondence, and supporting the wider Mayor’s Office with a calm, organised and proactive approach.
Key responsibilities include:
* Working collaboratively to manage the Mayor’s diary, prioritising commitments, coordinating with stakeholders, and adjusting to emerging priorities to ensure the Mayor’s time is used effectively.
* Representing the Mayor’s Office professionally through phone, email, in‑person and social media interactions, ensuring confidentiality and high standards of communication.
* Managing all correspondence channels — including email inboxes and Microsoft Teams — ensuring timely, accurate and sensitive responses.
* Developing and improving administrative systems and processes to enhance efficiency, compliance and coordination within the Mayor’s Office.
* Supporting the organisation of events, including venue research, guest lists, supplier coordination and on‑the‑day assistance.
* Arranging domestic and international travel and accommodation for the Mayor.
About you
We are looking for an organised, confident and proactive individual who can manage competing priorities, communicate effectively and work with professionalism in a politically sensitive environment. You will bring strong administrative experience, excellent people skills, and the ability to remain calm and focused under pressure.
You will bring:
* Experience in a support role such as Executive Assistant, PA or Senior Administrator, ideally within government, the public sector or another high‑profile environment.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
* Ability to work proactively, use initiative and deliver effectively under pressure.
* Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships.
* Confidence using Microsoft Office and MS Teams, including advanced functionality in Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
* Professionalism, discretion and integrity within political and governance frameworks.
For further detail on the requirements for this role, please see the criteria listed 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 -
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 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 a 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