Head of Innovation Ecosystem

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Hybrid working

Flexible Hours Scheme

Annual Leave Purchase Scheme

Discounts via Reward Gateway

Training on the job

Job summary

South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority in Sheffield seeks a strategic Head of Innovation Ecosystem to drive regional growth by shaping programmes and partnerships that connect businesses, universities and investors. You will lead cross-sector collaboration and secure support for innovation initiatives, influencing regional priorities and investment decisions.

Based at our Sheffield head office with hybrid working, this role demands senior stakeholder engagement, strong leadership of a team,

Qualifications

• Significant experience of leading and delivering innovation, business growth, economic development or related programmes.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective partnerships across businesses, academia, government and funding bodies.
• Strong programme and project leadership skills, managing multiple priorities and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills with the credibility to engage senior stakeholders and represent South Yorkshire region.
• Experience of securing, managing or overseeing funding, budgets and governance arrangements.
• Strategic mindset with practical problem-solving, collaboration and delivery.

Responsibilities

• Build and strengthen relationships across business, academia, government and the wider innovation community to create a connected and collaborative ecosystem.
• Lead high-profile innovation programmes that deliver tangible benefits for businesses and communities across South Yorkshire.
• Identify and secure new funding opportunities that support innovation, business growth and economic development.
• Act as an ambassador for South Yorkshire, raising the profile of the region and creating opportunities for investment, partnership and collaboration.
• Provide strategic advice, insight and evidence to support decision-making and future innovation policy development.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.

Job description

Head of Innovation Ecosystem

Application Deadline: 13 September 2026

Department: Growth, Business and Skills

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Sheffield Head Office

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

Description

• Hours: 37 hours per week (full time)
• Contract: Permanent
• Salary: Grade 12 – £55,949 to £59,907
• Location: Sheffield (hybrid working)

South Yorkshire is a region with world-class research, pioneering businesses and ambitious plans for growth. At SYMCA, we’re working to create the conditions that enable innovation to thrive, helping businesses adopt new technologies, commercialise ground-breaking ideas and scale for success. This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in developing an innovation ecosystem that delivers real economic impact across the region.

As Head of Innovation Ecosystem, you will work at the heart of regional growth, bringing together businesses, universities, investors, government bodies and innovation partners to strengthen collaboration and unlock opportunities. You’ll help ensure South Yorkshire remains a competitive, connected and forward-looking region, capable of attracting investment, securing funding and supporting businesses to innovate and grow.

Interviews will be held - Wednesday 30th September - In person

About the role

This is a strategic leadership role for someone who is passionate about turning ideas into impact. You will lead the development of programmes, partnerships and initiatives that connect innovation with economic growth, helping to create an environment where businesses can access support, embrace new technologies and achieve their ambitions. Working with senior stakeholders across the public, private and academic sectors, you'll influence regional priorities, secure investment opportunities and ensure South Yorkshire continues to strengthen its position within the UK’s innovation landscape.

In this role, you will:

• Build and strengthen relationships across business, academia, government and the wider innovation community to create a connected and collaborative ecosystem.
• Lead high-profile innovation programmes that deliver tangible benefits for businesses and communities across South Yorkshire.
• Identify and secure new funding opportunities that support innovation, business growth and economic development.
• Act as an ambassador for South Yorkshire, raising the profile of the region and creating opportunities for investment, partnership and collaboration.
• Provide strategic advice, insight and evidence to support decision-making and future innovation policy development.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.

About you

You will be a collaborative and commercially minded leader who enjoys bringing people together to solve complex challenges and create opportunities for growth. You'll be equally comfortable developing strategy, influencing senior stakeholders and rolling up your sleeves to turn ideas into action. Passionate about innovation and regional development, you'll be motivated by the opportunity to make a tangible difference to South Yorkshire's economy.

We're looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Significant experience of leading and delivering innovation, business growth, economic development or related programmes.
• A proven ability to build and maintain effective partnerships across businesses, academia, government and funding bodies.
• Strong programme and project leadership skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the credibility to engage senior stakeholders and represent South Yorkshire at a regional and national level.
• Experience of securing, managing or overseeing funding, budgets and governance arrangements.
• A strategic mindset combined with a practical approach to problem-solving, collaboration and delivery.

Most importantly, you'll share our ambition for South Yorkshire and be excited by the opportunity to help shape an innovation ecosystem that enables businesses, communities and ideas to thrive.

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 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 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.