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- Tasks: Lead strategic partnerships to drive economic growth and influence policy in South Yorkshire.
- Company: Join SYMCA, a dynamic organisation making a real impact in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement, pension scheme, and flexible work options.
- Why this job: Shape the future of South Yorkshire while collaborating with key stakeholders and communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing high-level partnerships and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Work in a supportive environment that values work/life balance and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 61000 - 67000 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 1 March 2026
Department: External Affairs
Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time
Location: Sheffield Head Office
Compensation: £61,352 - £66,514 / year
Hours: 37 hours
Contract: Fixed term - 2 years
This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office.
We’re looking for a Principal Officer – Strategic Partnerships to lead and shape SYMCA’s approach to strategic partnerships across South Yorkshire and nationally. You’ll manage a small team of partnership leads, working with key sectors, communities, and national Mayoral networks to advance joint priorities, influence policy, and unlock opportunities for the region. This is a senior role with significant impact—helping to strengthen relationships that drive economic growth and deliver the Mayor’s vision.
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:
In this role, you’ll take ownership of SYMCA’s strategic partnership strategy, ensuring alignment with the Corporate Plan and Mayoral priorities. You’ll work closely with local authorities, anchor institutions, and national networks to maximise collective impact, share best practice, and promote South Yorkshire’s strengths. Your work will involve collaboration across internal teams and external stakeholders to deliver integrated activities that support regional outcomes.
- Manage SYMCA’s approach to strategic partnerships locally and nationally.
- Collaborate with internal teams on business engagement, trade and investment, place marketing, and events to promote South Yorkshire’s economic strengths.
- Help steer the development and delivery of SYMCA’s Engagement Strategy to ensure a coordinated approach to stakeholder engagement.
- Identify and establish new strategic partnerships to drive engagement initiatives aligned with regional priorities.
- Monitor emerging trends and best practices to inform strategic recommendations and continuous improvement.
- Utilise digital tools to manage stakeholders, record activities, and provide updates for transparency and effective engagement.
About you:
We’re looking for a strategic thinker and relationship builder with experience managing high-level partnerships. You’ll need strong leadership skills, excellent communication and negotiation abilities, and a deep understanding of regional economic development. If you thrive in complex environments and want to help shape South Yorkshire’s future, this role is for you.
- Experience in managing high-level strategic partnerships.
- Understanding of regional economic development and public-private collaboration.
- Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to work across complex organisational structures.
- Experience in stakeholder engagement and using digital tools to manage relationships.
- Experience presenting, organising events, and managing meetings.
- Knowledge of data governance protocols.
- Interest in devolution, Mayoral Combined Authorities, and economic development.
- Experience managing budgets and commissioning work.
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 benefits include:
Holiday Entitlement – From 28 to 36 days annual leave entitlement (depending on length of service) plus
Principal Officer - Strategic Partnerships in Sheffield employer: SOUTH YORKSHIRE MAYORAL COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Detail:
SOUTH YORKSHIRE MAYORAL COMBINED AUTHORITY Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Officer - Strategic Partnerships in Sheffield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that Principal Officer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers or partners, be ready to discuss your experience managing high-level partnerships. Use real examples to demonstrate how you've influenced policy and driven economic growth in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out to organisations you admire and express your interest in working with them. You never know when an opportunity might arise, especially in strategic partnerships.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application directly, so make sure you submit it via our careers portal. It shows you're serious about the role and helps us keep track of all applications efficiently.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Officer - Strategic Partnerships in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to highlight how your experience aligns with the role's requirements. We want to see your passion for strategic partnerships and how you can contribute to our mission.
Tailor Your CV: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor it to showcase your relevant skills and experiences that match the job description. We’re looking for specific examples of your leadership and partnership management abilities.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point while still showcasing your personality!
Apply Through Our Careers Portal: Remember, all applications should be made directly via our careers portal. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at SOUTH YORKSHIRE MAYORAL COMBINED AUTHORITY
✨Know Your Strategic Partnerships
Before the interview, dive deep into SYMCA’s current strategic partnerships and understand their impact on regional economic development. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to strengthening these relationships.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Officer, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlight specific instances where your leadership made a difference in achieving strategic objectives.
✨Master the Art of Communication
Strong communication is key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Consider preparing a brief presentation on a relevant topic to demonstrate your ability to convey complex ideas effectively.
✨Engage with Digital Tools
Familiarise yourself with digital tools that aid stakeholder management. Be prepared to discuss how you've used technology to enhance engagement and transparency in previous roles. This will show your readiness to adapt to SYMCA's operational needs.
