Interim Assistant Director Communications, Marketing, Digital and Creative Content in Sheffield

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

Hours: 37 hours

Contract: 6 months (fixed term)

Salary: £75,061 - £83,150

We’re looking for an experienced and dynamic communications professional to join the Communications and Marketing team for a fixed‑term period while the current postholder is on a secondment. We need someone who can hit the ground running, so the ideal candidate will be operating at a senior level with experience leading a multi‑disciplinary communications team in a large organisation.

About The Role

As Interim Assistant Director, you will lead the organisation’s communications, marketing, events, digital, print, and design functions, working closely with and reporting to the Director of Communications. You will manage a multi‑disciplinary team, ensuring work is aligned to organisational priorities, resources are effectively allocated, and high‑impact projects are delivered to a consistently high standard. You’ll oversee the quality and effectiveness of all communications outputs, support reputation management, and lead on crisis communications when required. You will provide strategic counsel to the Mayor and senior leadership team, shaping long‑term communication strategies that strengthen our profile and influence. You’ll champion innovation, collaboration, and accountability—setting clear objectives, supporting professional development, and building a high‑performing, motivated team. You will also help embed a culture of evaluation and insight‑led decision making across the communications function. As a senior leader within the department, you will play a key role in shaping the future of the service and will deputise for the Director of Communications when needed. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a growing communications function and make a meaningful contribution to the future of South Yorkshire.

About You

Substantial experience in a management role within a fast‑paced communications team, ideally with some experience gained working within a media, marketing or government environment. Experience of strategic leadership on internal and external communications, marketing and events, digital and creative content, and developing strategic plans for teams to deliver against. This includes overseeing large‑scale marketing campaigns, communications campaigns, the creation of dynamic and engaging creative content for socials, web and publications, and delivering successful events to promote the work of an organisation. The ability to prioritise workloads of a large team across a range of functional areas and support the work of a whole organisation with competing demands and deadlines is crucial. Experience of motivating teams, managing teams, and a commitment to supporting learning and development. Experience of leadership at senior level, working collaboratively with the Mayor, elected Members, senior leaders across directorates, and local authority colleagues, external partners, community members and other bodies. Experience of providing strategic and tactical counsel to senior leaders and ability to influence, negotiate and challenge is a must.

Benefits

• All colleagues have access to the 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 encourage employees to take advantage of active travel facilities.
• Work/life balance is extremely important to us here at SYMCA with recognised family/friendly policies, genuine work flexibility, recognition, and shared success.
• Holiday Entitlement: 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: Most roles are offered on a hybrid basis. We do not accommodate remote working contracts except where specified.
• Flexible Hours Scheme: Allows office‑based employees flexibility and discretion over their working hours, accruing credit or debit of working hours and taking 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 for 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 fees 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 and 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.