Director of Public Transport Operations

SOUTH YORKSHIRE MAYORAL COMBINED AUTHORITY; South Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 91,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional transport authority in South Yorkshire is seeking a Director of Public Transport Operations to lead and improve public transport services, overseeing millions of journeys annually. The role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and collaboration across multiple sectors. The successful candidate will work in a hybrid environment from Sheffield, offering a salary range of £91,900 to £103,306.

Benefits

Enhanced holiday entitlement

Annual leave purchase scheme

Flexible working hours

Training on the job

Professional membership fee reimbursement

Qualifications

• Strong background in public transport and understanding of transport networks.
• Proven track record of effective leadership and strategic thinking.
• Ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of public transport operations across South Yorkshire.
• Implement multi-year plans to enhance customer experiences.
• Ensure safety and compliance with transport regulations.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Change management

Public transport knowledge

Job description

Director of PublicTransport Operations

• Hours: 37 hours
• Contract: Permanent
• Salary: Grade17 £91,900 - £103,306 (Pay award pending)
• Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) brings together the local authorities of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield to serve the communities and businesses of South Yorkshire. From transport to housing, from business growth to skills, the MCA has a great story to tell. We have ambitions to deliver recovery and renewal for people, businesses and places across South Yorkshire. A strong public transport network supports good economic and inclusive growth.

Pleasenote: 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 an apolitical party. Roles listed as "specified" in Section 2.1 of the Act have no right of appeal. Further details are available on request and are available in the SYMCA – Politically Restricted Post List.

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 by clicking the "Apply Now" button on the job advert page.

• Applications no later than: 26 November 2025
• Interviews will take place.
• 1st Stage Interview (via Teams): w/c 8 December 2025.
• 2nd Stage Interview (in person Panel): w/c 15 December 2026.

For further information, or to arrange an informal discussion about the role, please email [e-mail].

About the role

As our Director of Public Transport Operations you will:

• Lead the directorate and be responsible for the delivery of public transport operations across South Yorkshire (NB this includes overseeing the tendered services and transport integration but does not directly include managing drivers).
• Develop, seek support for and implement multi‑year plans to improve the customer experience and the evolving needs of the public transport network in South Yorkshire, enabling over 65 million bus journeys, 8 million tram journeys and 5 million rail journeys per year.
• Deliver customer‑focused services which make use of new technologies and enable the effective use of the region’s public transport network, connecting people to places, jobs, education and social opportunities to drive economic benefit.
• Ensure that all services are delivered safely and ensure that we comply with statutory and discretionary obligations on concessionary travel for 500,000 people in South Yorkshire, undertaking around 29 million trips per year;
• Work closely with key stakeholders across the public transport network including commercial operators in bus, light and heavy rail and community transport, and Local Authority partners to ensure SYMCA plans are aligned to the commercial market.

(This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)

For this role, we may consider a Relocation Package, if appropriate.

Website: https://southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk

About you

A strong background in public transport with a practical understanding of transport networks, analysis and appraisal; a proven track record of effective leadership, strategic thinking and change management, including supporting and empowering others to take ownership and accountability of outcomes. The role needs first‑class strategic transport thinking and an understanding of the practical realities of real‑world delivery. With your proven ability of leadership at senior level you will work in a collaborative manner with the elected Mayor and Council Leaders, senior colleagues and local authority colleagues, commercial operators, external partners, community members and other bodies that interact with this role. You will operate on a regional and national stage, influencing government and key stakeholders.

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.

• 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/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 SouthYorkshire 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 [e-mail] or include within your application form detailing the adjustment and how it will assist in managing any barriers.

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.