Lead Policy Manager

Lead Policy Manager (Strategic Planning)

Salary & Grade £65,714 per annum (pay award pending) Grade 11

Location Wellington House, Leeds / Hybrid

Hours Full time 37 hours per week

Tenure Permanent

If this post is advertised on a full-time basis, please note that the Combined Authority will consider requests for part-time working and/or job share.

Please discuss your preferred working requirements with the manager at interview

We currently have a vacancy for a Lead Policy Manager (Strategic Planning) to join our Place and Environment Policy Team.

This post is an opportunity to take a lead role in planning policy development and strategic sites in West Yorkshire. Leading the Combined Authority planning team your role will be to drive forward our progress on key place-based projects including a Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) for the region.

Working in partnership with local authorities the projects you lead will help shape the regions growth potential, unlocking sites for development and environmental enhancement and will help to secure inclusive growth for the people and communities of West Yorkshire.

It is an exciting time to be joining the Mayoral Combined Authority. We have a wide variety of impactful projects that we are working on which will help shape the West Yorkshire region. To find out more about the work the Combined Authority is involved with, take a look at our latest news stories.

It is important that you demonstrate how your breadth of experience, knowledge and skills align with the role when applying. We have therefore created comprehensive guidance for candidates, and you are strongly urged to read this before completing your application form. Please visit our Advice for Candidates webpage to find this guidance and further support in completing your application form.

Visit our 'Life at West Yorkshire Combined Authority' webpage to find out what our staff have to say about working here.

The Role

Reporting into the Head of Place and Environment Policy your key responsibilities will include:

Lead a team to:

• evelop the West Yorkshire Infrastructure Strategy (IS) and Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) and other strategic planning policy / strategy as required.
• Work alongside Local Authorities to drive investment into strategic sites and regional infrastructure, supporting the conditions for housing and jobs growth in the region aligned to sustainable transport corridors
• Manage and develop the Combined Authority’s approach to Section 106 and evolve the CA planning service in response to emerging regulatory requirements.

You will be part of a well-established team with expertise in Strategic Planning, Housing, Urban Design, Flood, Energy and Environment. And part of a cross-organisational policy function with expertise in Transport, Business, Innovation, Skills and Culture. Please review the Role Profile for more information about the responsibilities.

About You

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

• Developing successful, strategic place policy and strategy in a challenging context.
• Shaping a team to deliver high standards in policy and strategy development.
• Managing relationships with multiple stakeholders at the most senior level, including in a political environment.
• Finding innovative solutions to complex economic, place and/or transportation challenges.
• Application of analytical skills, with strong data analysis, interpretation and fluency in communicating the insights derived.

Our Offer

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer an excellent benefits package including:

• 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

Take a look at our Employee Benefits webpage to find out more.

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 under the ‘About You’ section of the advert and criteria 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

f you would like to discuss this role in more detail, please contact Alison Gillespie 

Further Information

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.

Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, unfortunately we are unable to respond to every applicant. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has not been successful. We do however thank you for your application and encourage you to continue looking for roles on our Careers with Us website page.