Head of Assurance

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in Sheffield is seeking a Head of Assurance to lead investment evaluations and develop a robust Assurance Framework. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with strong analytical skills, experienced in complex projects, and familiar with public value principles. This hybrid role requires a minimum of 3 days a week in the office and offers a salary range of £55,949 to £59,907 per year, as well as flexible working hours and continuous professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Enhanced holiday entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible working hours

Continuous training opportunities

Professional membership fee reimbursement

Qualifications

• Strategic thinker with a sharp eye for detail.
• Experienced in leading complex projects.
• Trusted advisor with the ability to influence high-level decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of Assurance Framework and ensure compliance.
• Collaborate with leaders and partners on investment evaluations.
• Provide expert advice to drive strategic decision-making.

Skills

Investment appraisal

Analytical skills

Stakeholder influence

Strong communication

Commercial awareness

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

Better Business Case Practitioner

Job description

Head of Assurance

Application Deadline: 11 January 2026

Department: Assurance and Evaluation

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Sheffield Head Office

Reporting To: Laurie Thomas

Compensation: £55,949 - £59,907 / year

Description

• Hours: 37 hours
• Contract: Permanent (We also welcome applications from candidates interested in a two-year secondment opportunity)
• Salary: Grade 12 £55,949 - £59,907
• Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)

Are you ready to lead one of the most critical functions in South Yorkshire’s investment landscape?

As Head of Assurance, you’ll be the driving force behind how we assess, shape, and approve the region’s most ambitious projects and programmes — from infrastructure and transport to skills and regeneration. You’ll lead the development of our Assurance Framework, ensuring it’s not just compliant, but cutting‑edge — enabling bold, evidence‑based decisions that deliver real value for our communities.

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.

About the role

You’ll lead the development and delivery of our annual Assurance Framework — the backbone of our investment process — ensuring it reflects national best practice and local ambition. Working closely with senior leaders, government assessors, and delivery partners, you’ll ensure every scheme we support is rigorously appraised, strategically sound, and delivers maximum public value.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives on complexity, influence, and collaboration. You’ll be the go‑to expert on assurance and appraisal, providing clear, confident advice that drives decision‑making at the highest levels. The role is key to ensuring South Yorkshire’s investments are not only well‑governed but transformative.

About you

You’re a confident, strategic thinker with a sharp eye for detail and a passion for public value. You thrive in complex environments, where your ability to interpret data, influence stakeholders, and drive high‑impact decisions sets you apart.

You bring a strong foundation in investment appraisal and assurance and know how to translate technical insight into clear, compelling advice for senior leaders and partners.

You’re not just a subject matter expert — you’re a trusted advisor, a collaborator, and a change‑maker. Whether you’re managing independent evaluators, shaping policy, or guiding multi‑million‑pound decisions, you lead with integrity, clarity, and purpose.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has a degree or equivalent experience.
• Is a qualified Better Business Case Practitioner with hands‑on experience.
• Communicates with confidence — simplifying complexity and inspiring action.
• Has strong analytical skills and a track record of appraising funding applications.
• Builds trusted relationships across teams, suppliers, and senior stakeholders.
• Thrives on autonomy, accountability, and high professional standards.
• Brings commercial awareness and understands how to manage contracts and budgets.
• Is adaptable, solutions‑focused, and committed to continuous improvement.

Please refer to the full person specification in the role profile when submitting your application.

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.

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