Spatial Planning Policy Manager

Spatial Planning Policy Manager

Final date to receive applications: 15 September 2026

Department: Housing, Infrastructure & Planning

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Sheffield Head Office

Reporting To: Ryan Shepherd

Compensation: £51,357 - £54,495 / year

• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Contract: Permanent
• Salary: Grade 11 £ 51,357 - £54,495
• Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)

We’re looking for an experienced, motivated planning professional to lead development and delivery of strategic planning policies and strategies, including South Yorkshire’s new Spatial Development Strategy.

You will play a vital role in delivering spatial planning activities to realise the ambitions of South Yorkshire’s Mayor and the Mayoral Combined Authority.

This is an exciting time to join the Mayoral Combined Authority, help shape our spatial planning activities, and make a lasting impact on South Yorkshire.

Working closely with the Head of Planning you will provide leadership and management of the Planning Team, developing and implementing spatial planning policies and strategies.

You will take a lead role in preparing the new Spatial Development Strategy for South Yorkshire, collaborating with key stakeholders, managing complex multi-stakeholder engagement and taking the Strategy through independent examination whilst ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulations.

Influencing and shaping the work of others, you will also contribute to the provision of spatial planning advice and input across the Mayoral Combined Authority and play a lead role in developing and managing the implementation of strategic planning powers.

You’ll bring strong planning policy expertise, excellent communication skills and the confidence to influence stakeholders at all levels.

We’re looking for someone with:

• Degree level qualification and evidence of continuing professional development, or experience and evidence of professional development
• Chartered Status as a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute
• Experience of successfully developing planning strategies and policy
• Experience of managing others to deliver against objectives in a challenging environment
• Excellent negotiation and interpersonal skills and proven experience of working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders
• Excellent verbal, presentation and written communications skills and ability to tailor complex material for particular audiences

Please see the attached role profile for full detail of the criteria for this role.

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. Please note, unless specified within the job advert, we cannot accommodate remote working contracts.
• Flexible Hours Scheme – Most roles within SYMCA work under the Flexi-Scheme which allows office-based employees’ flexibility and discretion over their working hours. Under the scheme employees can accrue a defined amount of credit or debit of working hours, and to take time-off in the form of Flexi-Leave or banked Annual Leave.
• 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…