Strategy and Policy Officer in Sheffield

Help shape the future of housing in Sheffield. Sheffield City Council is one of the UK’s largest social landlords, responsible for nearly 40,000 council homes and delivering services that make a real difference to tenants and residents across the city. As part of our Housing transformation, we are strengthening how strategy, policy and evidence support decisions and improve services.

We are looking for three Housing Strategy and Policy Officers to join our Strategic Housing team: two on a permanent basis and one on a fixed-term basis to provide maternity cover. These roles offer the opportunity to work on issues that matter to Sheffield’s residents, helping us turn legislation, evidence and resident insight into clear strategies, practical policies and better services.

About the role

Reporting to a Senior Housing Strategy and Policy Officer, you will support the development and delivery of housing strategy, policy and housing market analysis. You will provide research, analysis and advice to inform decisions, help the Council meet statutory and regulatory requirements, and contribute to consultation, performance monitoring and continuous improvement. You will lead defined work areas or projects with support, collaborate with colleagues and partners, and produce clear reports, briefings, presentations and other materials for a range of audiences.

What you’ll be doing

• Supporting the review, development and implementation of housing strategies and policies across the service.
• Researching and interpreting legislation, guidance, data and evidence to support policy development and decision-making.
• Collecting and analysing housing market intelligence to inform planning, investment and service priorities.
• Contributing to consultation and engagement so that resident voice is reflected in strategy, policy and service improvement.
• Working with Council services, partners, stakeholders and commissioned providers to deliver shared priorities.
• Producing high-quality reports, briefings, presentations, guidance and consultation materials.
• Supporting governance, monitoring, reporting and assurance activity, including equality considerations.
• Leading defined projects or work areas and contributing to team objectives and continuous improvement.

Who we’re looking for

• Knowledge of housing policy, strategic housing issues and the legislative, regulatory and policy environment affecting local authorities and social landlords.
• Experience of supporting or delivering policy, strategy, research, consultation, service improvement or project work in housing, local government or a related public service.
• The ability to gather, analyse and interpret complex information, evidence and data, and turn findings into clear recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including producing clear reports, briefings and presentations for different audiences.
• The ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues, partners and stakeholders.
• Good organisation skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines across several workstreams.
• An understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion and how these should inform policy, consultation and service improvement.
• A degree or equivalent knowledge, skills and experience relevant to housing policy, strategic housing, public policy, research or a related discipline.

Why join us?

This is a chance to contribute to housing priorities across Sheffield and help ensure our work responds to evidence, statutory requirements and resident needs. You will join a collaborative team working across a broad and varied agenda, with opportunities to develop your knowledge and take responsibility for meaningful pieces of work.

The posts:

• 2 x full-time permanent posts
• 1 x full-time fixed-term post to provide maternity cover

Please indicate in your application whether you wish to be considered for the permanent posts, and the maternity-cover post.

If you would like an informal discussion about the roles, please contact Rachael McGown at Rachael.McGown@sheffield.gov.uk.

We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly. It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.

Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form. Sometimes, if lots of people apply, we might not be able to interview everyone who qualifies for the Guarantee. In these cases, we’ll interview the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job.

Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.

If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade. Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.