Principal Project Manager

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional transport authority in Sheffield is seeking a Principal Project Manager to lead significant public transport reforms. The successful candidate will manage multiple projects, ensuring timely delivery and robust financial management. Required qualifications include significant project management experience and a relevant certification. This role offers flexible hours, generous leave entitlements, and support for training and professional development.

Benefits

28 to 36 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Annual leave purchase scheme

Hybrid working options

Flexible working hours

Training and professional development support

Reimbursement for professional memberships

Qualifications

• Significant project management experience in complex environments.
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary projects with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to produce clear and concise reports and advice.

Responsibilities

• Drive projects ensuring timely delivery against funding objectives.
• Manage a team of Project Managers with coaching responsibilities.
• Proactively manage project risks, issues, and financial controls.

Skills

Project management experience

Stakeholder engagement

Organisational skills

Time-management skills

Change management knowledge

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Professional project management qualification (e.g., APM, Prince2)

Job description

This is an exciting time to join SYMCA as we deliver one of the biggest changes to public transport in a generation. Following overwhelming public support, we are bringing South Yorkshire's buses back under public control through bus franchising. This means SYMCA will take responsibility for planning routes, setting fares, and ensuring high standards of reliability, safety, and cleanliness. The first franchised services will begin in 2027, with full rollout by 2029, creating a more integrated, affordable, and passenger‑focused network. As one of two Principal Project Managers reporting to the Programme Delivery Lead, you will play a key role in leading and delivering the change needed to make this transformation a success. Applications must be made via our careers portal and include a cover letter detailing how you meet the essential criteria.

Responsibilities

• Drive a set of projects to ensure delivery against agreed funding, outputs, and timescales.
• Manage, lead and coach a team of Project Managers.
• Identify and manage interdependencies across the projects you are responsible for, working with others to do the same across the programme.
• Manage project budgets and ensure robust financial control.
• Produce and maintain accurate project documentation, including schedules, reports, risk logs, and forecasts.
• Proactively manage risks, issues, and changes to keep projects on track.
• Oversee procurement processes, including tender documentation and contract administration.
• Build strong relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, partners, and the public, managing engagement effectively.

Qualifications

• Significant project management experience and a professional project management qualification such as APM.
• Practitioner‑level project management skills (Prince2 or similar) or equivalent experience.
• Substantial experience managing multi‑disciplinary projects.
• Strong organisational and time‑management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• Excellent communication skills, able to produce clear, concise reports and advice for diverse audiences.
• Significant experience and knowledge of change management.
• Commercial awareness.
• A proactive approach to problem‑solving and adaptability to changing circumstances.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement.

Benefits

• Holiday entitlement from 28 to 36 days annual leave depending on length of service, plus bank holidays. Pro‑rata for part‑time colleagues.
• Annual leave purchase scheme – ability to purchase up to a further 15 days per year in addition to normal annual leave.
• Hybrid working – most roles are offered on a hybrid basis; remote working contracts are not accommodated unless specified.
• Flexible hours scheme – employees can accrue a defined amount of credit or debit of working hours and take time‑off in the form of flexi‑leave or banked annual leave.
• Rewarding you – discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more through 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 applicable, SYMCA will reimburse membership fees following approval.

EEO Statement

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 and all requests will be considered subject to operational requirements. Where candidates share disabilities within the application process, if they demonstrate that they meet all essential criteria from the role profile, 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.