South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
Voluntary, Community, Faith & Social Enterprise Sector Lead (VCSE)
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Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Fixed Term - Until March 2028
Salary: £47181 - £50,269
Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)
We are looking for an experienced and well-connected Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector Lead to join our Strategic Partnerships team.
This is a unique opportunity to strengthen collaboration between South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector. You will play a leading role in building partnerships that improve outcomes for people across South Yorkshire.
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). Please note, all applications should be made directly via our careers portal.
Interviews for this role are expected to take place w/c 21st September.
About The Role
Reporting to the Principal Officer - Strategic Partnerships, you will act as a key link between SYMCA and the VCSE sector, helping to build strong relationships and ensure community voices help shape policy, programmes and services.
In This Role, You Will
- Lead engagement and partnership activity with VCSE organisations across South Yorkshire
- Act as a central point of contact between SYMCA and the sector, ensuring effective communication and collaboration
- Bring together VCSE organisations, partners and stakeholders to support shared priorities and collective action
- Support organisations to access opportunities, resources and funding where appropriate
- Ensure community insight and lived experience inform policy development and service delivery.
- Provide advice and recommendations to SYMCA leaders on strengthening relationships with the VCSE sector
- Monitor the impact and effectiveness of engagement activities, identifying opportunities for improvement
- Represent SYMCA at regional and national forums, building partnerships and promoting South Yorkshire's interests
- Develop strong relationships with local authorities, anchor institutions and other partners to support shared objectives
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This is a high-profile and collaborative role that offers the opportunity to influence how public services and community organisations work together to deliver positive change.
About You
You will be a relationship-focused professional with a strong understanding of the VCSE sector and a passion for improving outcomes for communities.
You Will Bring
- Significant knowledge of, and experience working with, the VCSE sector in South Yorkshire
- A strong understanding of local partnerships, funding landscapes and community networks
- Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing skills
- Experience building and maintaining effective partnerships across organisations and sectors
- The ability to bring people together, facilitate collaboration and develop shared solutions
- Strong organisational skills and the confidence to work independently and proactively
- A commitment to improving health, wellbeing and social outcomes for residents
- The ability to translate community insight into practical recommendations and actions
You will be passionate about creating meaningful partnerships, amplifying community voices and helping ensure the VCSE sector plays a central role in shaping South Yorkshire's future.
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 our 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 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 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.
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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 recruitment@southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk or include within your application form detailing the adjustment and how it will assist in managing any barriers.
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