Programme Lead (Service Review)

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 68,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Hybrid working

Flexible Hours Scheme

Training on the job

Professional membership fees

Job summary

South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority (SYMCA) is seeking an experienced Programme Lead to run a comprehensive service review within Policing and Public Safety in Sheffield. The role entails shaping a future operating model, delivering transformation, and working closely with senior leaders to realise benefits.

The post requires strong governance, stakeholder engagement and evidence-based recommendations, with a clear path to implementation and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification in a relevant discipline or substantial equivalent experience.
• Significant experience delivering service reviews or transformation programmes.
• Experience in policing, criminal justice or public safety environments.
• Strong knowledge of public sector governance and decision-making.
• Excellent report writing, business cases, options appraisals and executive reports.
• Outstanding communication, influencing and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of programme and project management governance frameworks.
• Ability to build trusted relationships and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead a comprehensive review of the service and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, effectiveness and stakeholder outcomes.
• Assess the current operating model and develop future-state options aligned to organisational priorities.
• Analyse operational, workforce, performance and financial data to inform recommendations and business cases.
• Manage programme governance, milestones and reporting throughout the review process.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to gain insight and secure support for change.
• Lead the implementation of the preferred operating model and support successful organisational transition.
• Work with People Services to embed change and realise long-term benefits.
• Support the Director of Policing and Public Safety on strategic programmes and transformation initiatives.

Skills

Programme leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Public sector governance

Business case writing

Communication skills

Programme management

Change transformation

Education

Degree-level qualification

Job description

Programme Lead (Service Review)

Application Deadline: 8 November 2026

Department: Policing and Public Safety

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: Sheffield Head Office

Reporting To: Matthew Clay

Compensation: £68,077 - £73,366 / year

Description

• Hours: 37 hours (open to full time and part time applicants)
• Contract: Fixed term (12 months)
• Salary: £68,077 - £73,366
• Location: Sheffield (hybrid working)

Are you an experienced transformation leader with a track record of delivering complex service reviews and organisational change within policing, public safety, criminal justice or wider public sector environments? We are looking for an exceptional Programme Lead to shape the future of our service through a comprehensive review that will influence how we operate, deliver outcomes and meet the needs of our communities and stakeholders.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-profile programme that will assess the current operating model, identify opportunities for improvement and design a future service that is more effective, efficient and responsive. Working closely with senior leaders, partners and stakeholders, you'll help drive meaningful transformation across the organisation. You will be joining at an exciting time where SYMCA is actively looking at possible opportunities presented by the new Prime Minister's devolution agenda, with a specific focus in the directorate around crime and harm prevention.

Please note, this is a deemed as a ‘sensitive’ politically restricted post. The effect of the designation in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 prevents employees from having any active political role either in or outside the workplace.

About the role

Reporting to the Director of Policing and Public Safety, you will lead a comprehensive review of the service, evaluating its structure, governance, processes, workforce, systems and performance. You'll engage with stakeholders across the organisation and beyond to gather insight, build consensus and develop evidence-based recommendations that support service transformation and continuous improvement.

Alongside leading the review programme, you'll support the delivery of key programmes and projects within the Directorate, helping to ensure successful implementation of strategic priorities.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and delivering a comprehensive review of the service, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, effectiveness and stakeholder outcomes.
• Assessing the current operating model and developing future-state options aligned to organisational priorities.
• Analysing operational, workforce, performance and financial data to inform recommendations and business cases.
• Managing programme governance, milestones and reporting throughout the review process.
• Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to gain insight, influence decision-making and secure support for change.
• Leading the implementation of the preferred operating model and supporting successful organisational transition.
• Working collaboratively with People Services and wider teams to embed change and realise long-term benefits.
• Supporting the Director of Policing and Public Safety on strategic programmes and transformation initiatives.

About you

We're looking for a strategic and solutions-focused professional who can combine analytical thinking with strong stakeholder engagement skills.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• Degree-level qualification in a relevant discipline or substantial equivalent experience.
• Significant experience delivering service reviews, organisational change or transformation programmes.
• Experience within policing, criminal justice, community safety or Police and Crime Commissioner environments.
• Strong knowledge of public sector governance, accountability and decision-making arrangements.
• Excellent report writing skills, including business cases, options appraisals and executive reports.
• Outstanding communication, influencing and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of programme and project management principles and governance frameworks.
• The ability to build trusted relationships and work collaboratively with stakeholders at all levels.

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.

• 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.