Policy & Support Officer

Policy & Support Officer

• Final date to receive applications: 21 March 2026
• Department: Business Operations
• Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
• Location: Sheffield Head Office
• Reporting To: Jayne Hampshire
• Compensation: £35,929 - £38,737 / year

• Hours: 37 per week (full time)
• Contract: Permanent
• Salary: Grade 7 £ 35,929 - £38,737
• Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)

Are you highly organised, politically aware, and motivated by making a real difference to place and people? We’re looking for a Policy and Support Officer to play a key role at the heart of South Yorkshire’s mayoral and executive leadership.

This is a unique opportunity to work closely with senior leaders, supporting the delivery of SYMCA’s priorities and helping to shape policy in a fast‑paced, high‑profile public sector 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.

As a Policy and Support Officer, you will provide direct support to members of the Executive Leadership Team. Your work will help ensure that senior leaders are well‑briefed, well‑supported, and able to focus on strategic priorities.

You’ll be trusted to handle sensitive information, manage complex diaries, and act as a professional first point of contact for a wide range of senior stakeholders, including local authority leaders, chief executives, civil servants, ministers and the media.

Key responsibilities

• Acting as the first point of contact for an Executive Director
• Coordinating complex diaries, meetings, travel and logistics
• Gathering, analysing and summarising information to support decision‑making
• Supporting governance, HR, finance, recruitment and procurement processes
• Servicing meetings, recording outcomes and tracking actions
• Working collaboratively with Business Operations colleagues and Executive Support teams

You’ll be a confident, organised and proactive professional who thrives in a busy environment and enjoys working ’ll bring excellent judgement, strong communication skills and a genuine interest in public policy and current affairs.

Why join us?

You’ll be part of a purpose‑driven organisation working to improve lives, reduce inequalities and support economic growth across South Yorkshire. We offer a supportive, inclusive working environment and the chance to develop your skills at the heart of regional decision‑making.

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 our 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 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.
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