Mayoral Policy and Briefings Manager

Mayoral Policy and Briefings Manager £49,359 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9 Leeds / Hybrid Full time / Fixed term for 12 months Are you ready to step into a high-profile role at the heart of West Yorkshire’s political and policy landscape? We’re looking for a Mayoral Policy and Briefings Manager to join the Mayor’s busy and fast-paced office – a newly created and exciting opportunity following a recent team restructure. This is a fixed term opportunity to cover a period of maternity leave. As Mayoral Policy and Briefings Manager, you will be responsible for leading the team that serves as the key interface between the Mayoral Office and the wider organisation. You will play a critical role in ensuring the Mayor is fully supported with high-quality briefings and advice, helping her to deliver on her commitments to the region. You will oversee the coordination of policy development and briefings, bringing strategic insight, sound judgement and exceptional attention to detail. You will also provide clear leadership and direction to your team and will be trusted to operate with the highest level of sensitivity, integrity, and discretion. This post is subject to vetting clearance. Due to the nature of this role, it is a requirement that the successful applicant will be subject to relevant vetting checks at the appropriate level and any job offer will be conditional subject to successful vetting clearance. Applicants should be aware that it is not possible to make meaningful vetting enquiries in many jurisdictions outside the UK. Vetting clearance cannot therefore be granted if the applicant has not been resident in the UK for the relevant minimum period and comparable vetting enquiries cannot be made in jurisdictions where the individual has been residing. Our Offer * Work your way – From flexible and agile working options, including a generous flexi-time scheme to help you balance your personal life and career. * Time to recharge – Enjoy 28 days of annual leave (with increases based on length of service), plus all Bank Holidays. * Free greener travel across West Yorkshire – Cover your commute sustainably with unlimited free bus and rail travel using the MCard (Zones 1–5). * Secure your future – Benefit from a highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme. * Investing in you – Take advantage of fully funded professional development, regular training, and up to 3 paid volunteering days per year. * Grow with us – Incremental salary progression for most roles and annual cost of living increases. * Family first – We offer enhanced parental and bereavement leave, plus other family-friendly policies to support you when it matters most. * Your wellbeing, our priority – Access 24/7 free confidential counselling services and the Headspace app for you and up to 5 family or friends. * Modern workspace in a prime location – Work in bright, contemporary offices just a 2-minute walk from Leeds Train Station, fully equipped with the latest tech. * The Role * Reporting into the Chief of Staff, your key responsibilities will include: * To coordinate and lead the Mayoral Policy and Briefings team to provide effective policy and staffing support to the elected Mayor, ensuring their day to day staffing and support needs are met. * To provide private secretariat function to the Mayor, preparing briefings, speeches and relevant information to the Mayor and providing feedback between the Mayoral Office and Directorates from mayoral meetings and events. * Preparing reports, briefings and other materials for the mayoral team in close liaison with other departments. Please review the Role Profile on our website for more information about the responsibilities. About You * You will have the following key skills, attributes, education and experience: * Educated to degree or equivalent relevant education/experience. * Experience of working in a similar role within a political environment. * Current knowledge and awareness of national legislation, policies and developments relevant to economic growth, devolution and Mayoral policy priorities. * Experience in supporting policy research projects. * Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team and excellent ability to use various sources of evidence and data to reach conclusions. To Apply If this sounds like your next role, please complete the application form and tell us within the supporting statement why you would be a great fit for our role and how your skills, knowledge and experience align with the requirements within the Role Profile. Please visit our Advice for Candidates webpage and review the guidance on this page for support in completing your application form. Further Information The Combined Authority is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better outcomes. We welcome applications irrespective of people\’s age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability and/or who are neuro divergent. To find out more about inclusivity at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority please visit our dedicated webpage. Under the Disability Confident Scheme, applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview, subject to the minimum criteria being met. Please note that whilst it is our policy to recruit at SP1 for all appointments, which is the salary stated above, each role includes career salary progression, with incremental increases applicable in most cases on an annual basis