Head of Violence Reduction Unit

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Please apply online via the link provided.

Here at SYMCA, we’re committed to building a region that is safer, fairer, and more resilient. Tackling serious violence is central to that mission — and we’re looking for a visionary leader to shape our response.

As Head of the Violence Reduction Unit, you’ll be a key voice in developing and delivering a strategic, evidence-led approach to violence prevention and reduction across South Yorkshire. Working closely with the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and a wide range of partners, you’ll help drive forward a public health model that puts communities at the heart of change. You’ll shape strategy, influence policy, and ensure that South Yorkshire’s approach to violence reduction is collaborative, inclusive, and grounded in evidence.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-impact, multi-agency programme that addresses the root causes of violence, supports early intervention, and builds safer futures for individuals and communities.

Applications must be submitted directly via our careers website including uploading a CV and a cover letter demonstrating how you meet the criteria for the role as listed within the linked role profile. The role profile can be downloaded by clicking the link listed under 'Documents'.

Principal Accountabilities

• Be accountable for delivering the Mayor and Deputy Mayor’s objectives around violence reduction and make a tangible impact to the communities of South Yorkshire. Delivery of an operating model for the South Yorkshire VRU which takes a public health approach and brings together existing structures to maximise collaboration and place-based working.
• Working with communities to understand the drivers of violence, vulnerability and exploitation and formulating approaches to prevention and reduction that deliver sustained outcomes.
• Lead the VRU Team to design, develop and implement a multi-year strategy which supports delivery of prevention and violence reduction activities across South Yorkshire.
• Responsibility for managing funds and commissioning services to prevent violence. Evaluation of these activities, including reporting to local and national bodies, will be an important element of ensuring we are best meeting need.
• Develop the best policy advice and guidance, based on the latest evidence and research, ensuring wider local, national and international trends are adopted and/or shaped as appropriate.
• Maintain and influence a network of internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment with wider community safety work across the county.

What We're Looking For

We’re looking for a strategic, compassionate, and driven leader who can bring people together around a shared vision for safer communities.
You’ll thrive in complex environments and understand the importance of collaboration, evidence, and innovation in tackling serious violence. With a deep understanding of the public health approach, you’ll be confident in translating policy into practice, influencing senior stakeholders, and inspiring cross-sector partnerships.

About you:

• Experienced in senior leadership within complex or political environments.
• Skilled in developing and delivering partnership programmes with shared outcomes.
• Knowledgeable in public health approaches to violence reduction and emerging best practice.
• Experienced in community engagement and strategic planning.
• Confident in managing budgets, commissioning services, and producing policy advice.
• A strong communicator with the ability to influence and collaborate across sectors.
• Committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of their 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 - 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.

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! Training on the job - Support with upskilling skills through on the job training and qualifications Holiday – From 28 to 36 days annual leave entitlement (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays. Pro-rata for part time colleagues.

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.

We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.

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.

About South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) brings together the local authorities of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield and to serve the communities and businesses of South Yorkshire. From transport to housing, from business growth to skills, the SYMCA has a great story to tell. We have ambitions to deliver recovery and renewal for people, businesses and places across South Yorkshire.

In recent years significant funding has been secured through the Transforming Cities Fund and a devolution deal, and further funding has recently been secured through the region’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement. As result we have a large and growing capital programme to deliver in support of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Mayor’s 2040 vision for transport. Join our workforce of talented people who love working together – and are proud of the work they do. Progression here can take you in all kinds of directions.

This is what a career at South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority is like, and this is where yours starts.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is currently in the process of reviewing its terms and conditions of employment including pay and grading. As part of this project, the post advertised may be subject to changes in the near future. All changes and any impact on individual posts will be discussed further should you be successfully appointed to the position you have applied for.

Please note that SYMCA follows a structured salary grading system for all roles, and the offered salary for each post will be at the starting point within the specified grade. We value the skills and experience of potential candidates, and there will be opportunities for salary enhancements as you grow within South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority does not hold a sponsorship licence and cannot provide Skilled Worker sponsorship for any roles advertised.