Assistant Director Transport Projects in Sheffield

Assistant Director Transport Projects

Application Deadline: 12 July 2026

Department: Public Transport Development

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Sheffield Head Office

Reporting To: Tom Howard

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

Description

• 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)

This is a senior leadership opportunity to play a pivotal role in delivering major transport infrastructure across South Yorkshire. You will lead high-profile, multi-million-pound programmes that improve connectivity, support economic growth, and enhance communities across the region.

Please note: This role is politically restricted under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Postholders are prohibited from standing for elected office (except Town or Parish Councils) and from engaging in certain political activities, including canvassing or acting as an officer of a political party.

About the role

As Assistant Director of Transport Projects, you will lead the development and delivery of a major portfolio of transport infrastructure schemes, which may include Supertram renewals, network extensions, or wider capital investment programmes. You will oversee complex, large‑scale projects from early business case stages through to delivery, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and funding requirements.

You will be responsible for shaping and delivering a diverse programme of work, managing budgets, risks, and interdependencies, while ensuring robust governance and compliance with organisational frameworks. The role involves leading multidisciplinary teams and working closely with internal and external partners to drive delivery and achieve successful outcomes.

You will provide expert strategic advice to senior leaders, the Mayor, and governance boards, supporting decision‑making and influencing the direction of key transport initiatives. You will also lead stakeholder engagement and manage complex negotiations, ensuring strong partnerships and maintaining confidence in delivery.

About you

You are an experienced senior leader with a strong track record of delivering large-scale infrastructure or capital projects, ideally within transport or a related sector. You are confident managing complex programmes, significant budgets, and high-profile stakeholders in a politically aware environment.

You have excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence, challenge, and build consensus at senior levels. You are commercially aware and experienced in managing contracts, negotiations, and partnerships to achieve successful outcomes.

You are a strategic thinker with strong problem‑solving skills, able to navigate complexity and deliver results in challenging environments. You are passionate about delivering impactful projects and building high‑performing teams that contribute to long‑term regional growth and transformation.

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.