Senior Democratic Services Officer

• Role_Profile_Sept_25_-_Senior_Democratic_Services_Officer

Please apply online via the link provided.

Openness and transparency is at the heart of decision-making at South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. As part of the Governance team, you will be a key player in supporting the organisation in ensuring the SYMCA's functions are carried out in a way that demonstrates accountability, transparency, effectiveness, integrity, and inclusivity.

As a senior member of the Democratic Services team, you’ll ensure transparency and compliance across our democratic functions. Supporting the Mayor, Board, and Committees, you’ll help deliver effective public engagement and governance with minimal risk. You’ll be active in the monitoring the political and legal landscape to drive service improvements that support SYMCA's regional ambitions.
Applications must be accompanied by a cover letter to detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role (please see role profile attached). Please note, all applications should be made directly via our careers portal.

In-person interviews to take place at our Head Office (11 Broad Street West, Sheffield, S1 2BQ) on Wednesday 15 October.

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

About the role

The Senior Democratic Services Officer will play a vital role in deputising for the Democratic Services & Scrutiny Manager, supervising the day-to-day operations of the team and supporting the team of Democratic Services Officers. You will be a champion of transparency and openness, ensuring SYMCA meets and exceeds all the requirements in national legislation, local policies and SYMCA procedures.
Your work will involve:

• Day-to-day supervision, co-ordination and mentoring the Democratic Services Officers team to deliver high-quality governance and decision-making functions.
• Deputise for the Manager, providing strategic and operational leadership across Boards and Committees.
• Ensure timely and accurate production and publication of agendas, minutes, and statutory notices.
• Coordinating arrangements and ensuring the smooth delivery of meetings and democratic events, including logistics and live webcasting.
• Provide expert advice on governance and compliance in a politically sensitive environment.
• Manage public engagement processes, including questions and petitions facilitating fast and accurate responses.
• Supporting the Statutory Scrutiny Officer to fulfil the delivery of the MCA’s Scrutiny function, including agenda planning and accountability sessions.
• Monitor political and legislative developments to inform governance improvements.
• Drive innovation and service improvements to strengthen decision-making and support regional ambitions.

About you

You will bring proven experience in democratic services within a political environment, strong governance knowledge, excellent communication and analytical skills, and the ability to lead teams, manage complex workloads, and engage effectively with senior stakeholders.

We are looking for:

• Degree-level education or equivalent experience.
• Strong understanding of governance, democratic services, and scrutiny in the public sector.
• Proven experience in political environments and committee/Board management.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement, including working with elected members and senior staff.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and administrative skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex workstreams and meet deadlines independently.
• Experience leading teams and supporting collaborative working across departments.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and remote meeting technologies.
• Experience with Mod.gov, webcasting systems (e.g. Public-i), and Connect Remote.

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 -
Local Government Pension Scheme – A comprehensive and attractive pension scheme with the ability to be flexible in the number of contributions you pay in along with peace of mind from immediate life cover and terminal illness cover after 2 years.

Continuous Employment – If you are currently employed by a Local Government employer, or any other employer under the Redundancy Modification Scheme, and do not have a break in service, yourlength of service can be transferred upon starting. This will apply to entitlement calculations including annual leave, maternity leave and enhanced sick pay.
Enhanced 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 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.

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.

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.