Interim Head of Mayoral Communications

This is not a conventional communications role.

You will work directly with the Mayor of South Yorkshire, helping shape how he communicates his priorities, responds to the issues of the day and builds his profile nationally.

We are looking for an exceptional senior communications professional to lead the Mayor’s communications operation on an interim basis.

It is a high-profile, high-tempo role, working closely with the Mayor, his political adviser and his Chief of Staff and reporting to the new executive director of communications.

You will need an in-depth knowledge of the Lobby and national political editors and the ability to spot opportunities for telling South Yorkshire’s story to that audience. You will need well-honed political instincts and be comfortable with the pressure of dealing with the national media. You will be expected to provide clear, confident advice on complex and politically sensitive issues, often at pace.

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.

Please note, this is a deemed as a ‘sensitive’ politically restricted post. The effect of the designation in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 prevents employees from having any active political role either in or outside the workplace.

Location
The principal base for the role is our head office in Sheffield.

We are open to the role being based in London for the right candidate. However, this position leads a small team based in Sheffield and requires a regular presence in our Sheffield head office. London-based candidates will therefore need to be able and willing to travel regularly to Sheffield and to work flexibly between the two locations.

The role will also involve regional and national travel and out-of-hours working.

As Head of Mayoral Communications, you will:

You will need resilience, excellent judgement and the confidence to operate with senior political and organisational figures.

You will be an established senior communications professional with substantial experience of national media, an established network of contacts and the credibility to pick up the phone to senior journalists and political editors.

You will have experience advising on high-profile, sensitive or reputationally challenging issues and be able to operate with discretion, political nous and sound judgement.

Experience of local or national government, or another regulated or politically sensitive environment, would be useful but not essential.

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 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.

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.