Policy Assistant

£32,380 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 5

Leeds / Hybrid

Full time / Permanent – 37 hours per week

Please note that the Combined Authority will consider requests for part-time working and/or job share.

Do you care about shaping thoughtful, evidence‑based transport policies and investment plans that genuinely improve life for people across West Yorkshire?

Are you motivated by the challenge of reducing carbon emissions from transport while helping to build a fairer, more inclusive regional economy?

If so, this could be an excellent next step for you. We’re looking for a Policy Assistant to join our Transport Policy team.

In this role, you will contribute to a wide range of strategic projects, including delivering the Bus Service Improvement Plan, developing a Fares and Ticketing Strategy, and shaping integrated public transport policy. Your work as Policy Assistant will support initiatives that not only enhance how people travel today but also lay the foundations for a transport system that is sustainable, accessible, and equitable for years to come.

This is a brilliant opportunity for someone with an interest in public policy who wants to gain hands‑on experience across high‑profile programmes that will influence the future of transport in the region. You will be part of a team committed to making a real difference – and your contributions will help drive meaningful change.

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 Policy Officer,your key responsibilities will include:

• Providing project assistance and technical support in the development of transport policies and strategies.
• Carrying out secretarial functions for key meetings and boards and providing general/administrative support to policy managers and the wider team in public transport policy.
• Owning specific areas of work commensurate with the grade of the role and undertaking activities to support it.

Please review the Role Profile for more information about the responsibilities.

About You

You will have the following key skills, attributes, education and experience:

• Educated to A-Level or equivalent or relevant practicable experience.
• Good understanding of policy development, ideally within a transport context but not essential.
• Experience of successfully identifying appropriate communication channels to deliver information.
• Previous experience and capability of working in partnership with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work using your own initiative.

To Apply

If this sounds like your next role, please complete the application form on our website 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.