Lawyer - Economic Regeneration

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A local governmental authority in Sheffield is seeking a Lawyer for Economic Regeneration. This role involves providing legal advice on grant agreements and governance frameworks, supporting economic projects across South Yorkshire. The candidate should have a current practising qualification and experience in relevant legal fields. The position offers a competitive salary of £42,840 - £54,495, hybrid working, and contributions to a local Government Pension Scheme.

Benefits

Annual Leave Purchase Scheme

Hybrid working arrangements

Employee discounts and financial advice

On-the-job training

Up to 36 days annual leave

Qualifications

• Must possess a current practising qualification.
• Experience in one or more relevant legal specialisms.
• Ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality legal advice on grants and subsidy control.
• Support delivery of complex projects for economic regeneration.
• Advise on constitutional matters and governance frameworks.

Skills

Strong technical legal skills

Experience in subsidy control

Legal drafting

Analytical skills

Strategic thinking

Commercial mindset

Communication of legal concepts

Commitment to public service

Education

Current practising qualification as a solicitor, barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive

Job description

Lawyer - Economic Regeneration

Application Deadline: 23 January 2026

Department: Governance & Legal

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Sheffield Head Office

Reporting To: Head of Legal

Compensation: £42,840 - £54,495 / year

Description

• Hours: 37 hours
• Contract: Permanent
• Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)

* This role is a career graded role which allows for personal development to be recognised and rewarded as you progress through your career through the Authority's pay grading structure. The grade offered will be dependant on experience Please see the attached role profile for more details.

Salary details:

• Career Grade 1 - £42,840 - £46,142
• Career Grade 2 - £47,181 - £50,269
• Career Grade 3 - £51,357 - £54,495

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) brings together the local authorities of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield and 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.

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 (SYMCA) is currently in the process of reviewing its terms and conditions of employment including pay and grading. As part of this project, the post advertised may be subject to changes in the near future. All changes and any impact on individual posts will be discussed further should you be successfully appointed to the position you have applied for.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority does not hold a sponsorship licence and cannot provide Skilled Worker sponsorship for any roles advertised. Applications must be accompanied by a cover letter to detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role (please see role profile attached). All applications should be made directly via our careers portal.

Key Responsibilities

This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation, where your legal expertise will help shape the future of South Yorkshire’s economy and governance.

As a Lawyer at SYMCA, you’ll provide high-quality, accessible legal advice across two critical areas:

Grants and Subsidy Control

• Advise on grant agreements, subsidy control compliance, and related regulatory frameworks.
• Support the Programme Management and Growth & Development Teams to deliver complex, multi-disciplinary projects that drive economic regeneration.
• Ensure funding programmes are lawful, risks are managed, and opportunities for investment are maximized.

Constitutional and Administrative Law

• Provide authoritative advice on constitutional matters, governance frameworks, and statutory obligations.
• Support democratic processes and decision-making, ensuring compliance with administrative law principles.
• Help maintain robust governance arrangements that safeguard SYMCA’s reputation and enable effective, lawful decision-making.

You’ll work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation and external partners, contributing to projects that make a real difference for South Yorkshire. Our legal team values innovation, integrity, and impact, ensuring decisions are lawful, risks are managed, and opportunities are realized.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

We’re looking for a proactive and collaborative legal professional who is excited by the opportunity to support economic growth and regeneration in South Yorkshire. You’ll be someone who combines strong technical legal skills with a practical, solution-focused approach and a commitment to public service.

You’ll also bring:

• A current practising qualification as a solicitor, barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive.
• Experience in one or more relevant legal specialisms (e.g. subsidy control, procurement, commercial law, governance, regeneration).
• Strong legal drafting, analytical, and strategic thinking skills.
• The ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and confidently.
• A commercial mindset and the ability to apply legal knowledge in a practical, value-driven way.
• A commitment to continuous professional development and collaborative working.

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.

• 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.
• Rewarding You – Reducing everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more with Reward Gateway!
• Training on the job – Support with upskilling skills through on the job training and qualifications
• Holiday – Up to 36 days annual leave (depending on length of service). Pro-rata for part time colleagues.

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. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.