Policy Lead - Homelessness

Policy Lead - Homelessness

Final date to receive applications: 11 March 2026

Department: Housing, Infrastructure & Planning

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Sheffield Head Office

Reporting To: Senior Development Manager (Housing)

Compensation: £47,181 - £50,269 / year

• Hours: 37 hours
• Contract: Permanent Full-time
• Salary: Grade 10 £ 47,181 - £50,269
• Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)

We are looking for an experienced Policy Lead, Homelessness. This is a new role to lead on SYMCA’s newly identified responsibilities following the launch of the Government’s Plan to End Homelessness in December 2025. The plan identified a new role for Established Mayoral Combined Authorities (EMSAs) to set the regional ambition on homelessness, in partnership with Local Authorities and other key stakeholders.

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 role will lead on convening homelessness and rough sleeping partners across key statutory and voluntary, charity and faith sectors and people with lived experience to develop a South Yorkshire Homelessness Framework, along with regional delivery and governance mechanisms. This new post will sit within the Housing and Infrastructure team, reporting directly to the Head of Housing Policy and Strategy.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Leading on the development, of a South Yorkshire Homelessness Framework (SYHF) in partnership with a range of key stakeholders and people with lived experience.
• Ensuring effective collaboration and partnership working with partners including Local Authorities, Housing Providers, Health and Criminal Justice sectors, people with lived experience, and the Voluntary and Community Sector to achieve agreed shared outcomes.
• Leading on developing Single Homelessness Pathways and a wider programme of interventions and activities to align the services and funding priorities of partners and other delivery agencies.
• Seek to improve coordination and data sharing between local partners and stakeholders on homelessness policy and delivery.
• Providing advice and support to The South Yorkshire Mayor and colleagues across SYMCA on all matters relating to homelessness.

We are looking for an innovative and strategic individual with an in-depth working knowledge and passion for homelessness prevention. You should understand the need for a whole system approach to homelessness prevention and bring with you excellent partnership and convening skills.

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.

• 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 take time‑off in the form of Flexi‑Leave or banked Annual Leave.
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