Spatial Planning Policy Manager

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Hybrid working

Flexible hours

Annual leave purchase scheme

Training on the job

Professional membership fees

Job summary

South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority is seeking an experienced Spatial Planning Policy Manager in Sheffield to lead the development and delivery of strategic planning policies, including the Spatial Development Strategy.

You will oversee the Planning Team, manage multi-stakeholder engagement, and coordinate with the Mayor’s office to deliver ambitious spatial planning initiatives within a hybrid working environment.

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification and CPD or equivalent experience
• Chartered RTPI member
• Experience developing planning strategies and policy
• Experience managing teams to deliver objectives
• Excellent negotiation and interpersonal skills
• Strong written and verbal communication; tailor material for audiences

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of strategic planning policies and strategies
• Collaborate with stakeholders and manage multi-stakeholder engagement
• Prepare and steer the Spatial Development Strategy through examination
• Provide leadership to the Planning Team and ensure regulatory compliance
• Advise across the Mayoral Combined Authority on spatial planning issues
• Influence and shape policy across the organisation

Skills

Policy development

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Negotiation

Communication

Project management

Education

RTPI Chartered Member

Degree in planning/related field

Job description

Spatial Planning Policy Manager

Application Deadline: 15 September 2026

Department: Housing, Infrastructure & Planning

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Sheffield Head Office

Reporting To: Ryan Shepherd

Compensation: £51,357 - £54,495 / year

Description

• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Contract: Permanent
• Salary: Grade 11 £51,357 - £54,495
• Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)

We’re looking for an experienced, motivated planning professional to lead development and delivery of strategic planning policies and strategies, including South Yorkshire’s new Spatial Development Strategy.

You will play a vital role in delivering spatial planning activities to realise the ambitions of South Yorkshire’s Mayor and the Mayoral Combined Authority.

About the role

This is an exciting time to join the Mayoral Combined Authority, help shape our spatial planning activities, and make a lasting impact on South Yorkshire.

Working closely with the Head of Planning you will provide leadership and management of the Planning Team, developing and implementing spatial planning policies and strategies.

You will take a lead role in preparing the new Spatial Development Strategy for South Yorkshire, collaborating with key stakeholders, managing complex multi-stakeholder engagement and taking the Strategy through independent examination whilst ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulations.

Influencing and shaping the work of others, you will also contribute to the provision of spatial planning advice and input across the Mayoral Combined Authority and play a lead role in developing and managing the implementation of strategic planning powers.

About you

You’ll bring strong planning policy expertise, excellent communication skills and the confidence to influence stakeholders at all levels.

We’re looking for someone with:

• Degree level qualification and evidence of continuing professional development, or experience and evidence of professional development
• Chartered Status as a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute
• Experience of successfully developing planning strategies and policy
• Experience of managing others to deliver against objectives in a challenging environment
• Excellent negotiation and interpersonal skills and proven experience of working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders
• Excellent verbal, presentation and written communications skills and ability to tailor complex material for particular audiences

Please see the attached role profile for full detail of the criteria for this role.

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.