Principal Officer - Strategic Partnerships

• Hours: 37 hours
• Contract: Fixed term - 2 years
• Salary: £61,352 - £66,514
• Location: Sheffield (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 see role profile attached).

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.

Key responsibilities include:

• 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 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 additional 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. Please note, unless…