Senior Communications and Campaigns Officer - Violence Reduction Unit in Sheffield

Application Deadline: 10 August 2026

Department: Communications and Marketing

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: Sheffield Head Office

Reporting To: Fiona Topliss

Compensation: £47,181 - £50,269 / year

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Fixed Term - 3 years

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in reducing violence across South Yorkshire by delivering impactful communications and behavioural change campaigns. Working as part of the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), you will help shape how communities, partners, and stakeholders engage with and support positive change.

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. This is deemed as a ‘sensitive’ politically restricted post. The effect of the designation in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 prevents employees from having any active political role either in or outside the workplace. A valid enhanced DBS check is required for this role.

About the role

As Senior Campaigns and Communications Officer, you will lead the development and delivery of innovative campaigns designed to influence behaviour and support violence reduction priorities, including knife crime and violence against women and girls. You will work closely with partners and agencies to design, commission, and deliver evidence-based campaigns, using insight and research to shape effective messaging. The role involves planning and delivering integrated communications activity across traditional, digital, and social media channels to reach a wide range of audiences. You will manage media relations, develop content across platforms, and maintain proactive communications plans to ensure consistent and timely messaging. You will also support senior stakeholders, including the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, by preparing briefings and advising on communications approaches. Working collaboratively across SYMCA and partner organisations, you will help ensure campaigns and communications are joined up, impactful, and aligned with wider strategic priorities. You will also support engagement activity, events, and projects, helping to amplify key messages and build stronger connections with communities.

About you

You are an experienced communications and campaigns professional with a strong background in delivering impactful, behaviour change initiatives. You are confident working in a fast‑paced environment, managing competing priorities, and responding to emerging issues. You have excellent communication skills, with the ability to create engaging content across a variety of channels and tailor your approach to different audiences. You are confident working with media and digital platforms and understand how to maximise reach and impact. You are highly organised and able to plan and deliver campaigns effectively, working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior leaders and partner organisations. You are proactive, creative, and solutions‑focused, with a passion for making a positive impact in communities. You have strong judgement and are comfortable handling sensitive issues, maintaining professionalism while supporting high‑profile communications activity.

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.
• 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.
• Flexible Hours Scheme – Most roles within SYMCA work under the Flexi‑Scheme which allows office‑based employees’ flexibility and discretion over their working hours.
• 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 or include within your application form detailing the adjustment and how it will assist in managing any barriers.