Assistant Director: Data, Planning and Performance in Sheffield

Application Deadline: 5 July 2026

Department: Data and Intelligence

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Sheffield Head Office

Reporting To: Kate Mieske, Director of Analysis, Insight and Performance

Compensation: £75,061 - £83,150 / year

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £75,061 - £83,150

Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)

It is an exciting time to join South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA). With new powers unlocked through devolution and the transition to an integrated settlement from April 2026, we’re scaling up our ambitions to deliver inclusive, sustainable growth for our communities. Robust data, insight and performance sit at the heart of how we plan, invest and deliver for South Yorkshire. This is your opportunity to play a leading role in that transformation.

We’re looking for an exceptional Assistant Director for Data, Planning & Performance to lead our corporate planning, performance and data capabilities. You’ll play a central role in shaping how SYMCA plans for the future, measures success and uses data to drive decision-making – ensuring our priorities are aligned, our performance is transparent and our insights are world class.

Applications must be accompanied by a cover letter to detail how you meet the criteria as detailed within the role profile. Please note, all applications should be made directly via our careers portal.

About the role

As Assistant Director: Data, Planning and Performance, you’ll provide strategic leadership across SYMCA’s corporate planning and performance, data science and spatial analysis functions within the Insight Team. You’ll lead the team which develops our Corporate Plan, ensuring alignment with the South Yorkshire Strategy and our long‑term ambitions. You’ll oversee the design and evolution of outcomes frameworks across the organisation, taking a 5–10 year view to ensure we measure what matters and deliver meaningful impact for our communities.

Working closely with the Executive Team, the Mayor and the MCA Board, you’ll ensure your team delivers high-quality performance reporting that enables informed decision-making, drives accountability and supports effective resource allocation. You’ll also lead the development of SYMCA’s data capabilities – building a modern, future‑ready data function. This includes developing our data science capability, strengthening GIS and spatial analysis, and working in partnership with Digital and Technology Services to deliver a step change in how we use data across the organisation.

As a senior leader within the Insight Team, you’ll deputise for the Director of Analysis, Insight and Performance as required, shape the future of the analytical function, and lead, develop and inspire a high‑performing, multidisciplinary team. This is a strategic, high‑impact role with a long‑term horizon – where your leadership will directly influence how SYMCA delivers its priorities and improves outcomes for residents and businesses across South Yorkshire.

About you

• Education to degree standard or equivalent professional experience in a relevant discipline, including significant knowledge of statistical techniques.
• Significant experience in a senior role leading a multidisciplinary team on data, analysis and management information in a complex public sector environment.
• A deep understanding of the end‑to‑end process of corporate planning, outcomes, targets and corporate performance reporting.
• The ability to draw relevant, targeted insights from multiple sources of data and analysis, ensuring insights are effectively communicated for a policy or delivery audience, up to Board level and to political leaders.
• Significant experience in taking a multi‑disciplinary approach, understanding what disciplines outside your own can bring, and drawing together insights from different disciplines for a senior audience.
• A strong track record in the formulation and delivery of multi‑year strategies and work programmes which align with organisational priorities, deliver tangible results and improve outcomes.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders at a senior level.
• Significant experience engaging effectively with key partners within and outside your organisation, including those at Board level or directly below, to develop consensus around a work programme and secure buy‑in.
• The proven ability to deliver a diverse and complex portfolio of workstreams and projects to time, budget and quality, using PPM techniques.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write clearly and concisely, and explain sophisticated issues and complex analysis and its implications in non‑technical language to senior officers and political leaders in a way that engages and informs their thinking.
• Experience of successfully leading, managing, and motivating a team to achieve their maximum potential, building a positive, collaborative team culture.
• Highly flexible, adaptable and resilient to meet and embrace changing circumstances and demands.
• Substantial knowledge of data governance protocols and quality assurance, including adherence to data quality standards, data protection, risks and risk mitigation.
• A demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging.

Desirable

• Experience in applying data science, advanced analytical techniques or spatial analysis to bring insights for policy or delivery.

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.

In addition to the above, some of our benefits include:

• 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 recruitment@southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk or include within your application form detailing the adjustment and how it will assist in managing any barriers.