Assistant Director South Yorkshire Narrative

Assistant Director South Yorkshire Narrative

Application Deadline: 3 November 2025

Department: Corporate Delivery

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: Sheffield Head Office

Reporting To: Jade Potter

Compensation: £72,733 - £80,571 / year

Description

• Hours: 37 hours
• Contract: Fixed Term - 2 Year
• Salary: Grade 15 £72,733 - £80,571 (Pay award pending)
• Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)

Shape the story of a region. Inspire pride, attract investment, and unify South Yorkshire.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is seeking a visionary leader to take on a pivotal new role: Assistant Director of South Yorkshire Narrative. This is a rare opportunity to lead the creation and activation of a compelling, inclusive and future-facing narrative for South Yorkshire. One that resonates locally, nationally and internationally.

Working closely with the Mayor, Executive Leadership Board, creative partners and communities, you'll design and deliver a strategic programme of brand development and storytelling that reflects South Yorkshire's identity, ambitions and values. You'll ensure the narrative is embedded across communications, campaigns, public services and stakeholder engagement-driving pride, investment and regional cohesion.

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

• Leading the development of South Yorkshire's place narrative and brand strategy.
• Partnering with creative agencies and regional stakeholders to co-design and activate the brand.
• Building strong relationships across local authorities, businesses, cultural institutions and communities.
• Facilitating inclusive engagement to ensure the brand reflects the region's diversity and ambition.
• Advising the Mayor and ELB on strategic direction and impact.
• Overseeing a significant budget and multi-year programme of work.

About you

• Proven experience in place branding, strategic communications or brand development.
• Expertise in regional identity, inclusive engagement and public sector values.
• A collaborative leader with excellent storytelling, strategic planning and influencing skills.=?
• Comfortable navigating political, cultural and organisational complexity.
• Passionate about South Yorkshire and its future.

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 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.
• 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 or include within your application form detailing the adjustment and how it will assist in managing any barriers.