- Salary
- £61k – £67k/yr
- Location
- Sheffield Head Office
- Workplace
- Hybrid
- Type
- Full-time
- Seniority
- Lead
Description
Principal: Data and Spatial Analysis
Application Deadline: 9 August 2026
Department: Insight
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Sheffield Head Office
Reporting To: Assistant Director Data, Planning and Performance (Andy Leverton)
Compensation: £61,352 - £66,514 / year
Description
- Hours: 37 hours (full time)
- Contract: Permanent
- Salary: Grade 13 - £61,352 - £66,514
- Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)
Are you ready to shape how data and place-based insight inform the future of South Yorkshire?
It’s an exciting time to join South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA). With new powers unlocked through devolution and the transition to an integrated settlement, we are strengthening our use of data, evidence and insight to deliver inclusive and sustainable growth.
We're looking for a Principal: Data and Spatial Analysis to lead the development of SYMCA's data architecture, data science and spatial analysis capabilities, ensuring evidence and insight inform policy development, strategic planning and operational delivery across the organisation.
If you think you'd be a great fit for this role but you’re not sure you meet every requirement equally, we'd still welcome your application
We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking to work part time (4 days a week or more) or as part of a job share.
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.
About the role
As Principal: Data and Spatial Analysis, you will provide strategic leadership across three key areas:
- Developing and implementing SYMCA's data strategy and data landscape, ensuring data is structured, governed and shared effectively.
- Leading the development of our new data science and advanced analytics capability.
- Developing our GIS and spatial analysis capability, using place-based insight to support decision-making, investment priorities and service delivery.
Working across the Insight Team, Digital and Technology Services, Information Governance and policy teams, you will play a key role in shaping how SYMCA uses data to achieve its ambitions.
You will lead multidisciplinary teams, creating an environment where people can thrive, collaborate and deliver meaningful insights. You will be equally comfortable discussing data architecture and governance as you are translating complex analytical findings into clear recommendations for senior leaders.
A key priority will be supporting the development of SYMCA's new data platform and wider digital transformation agenda. You will promote high standards in data quality, governance, interoperability and the ethical application of advanced analytics and AI, helping to build a modern and sustainable data function.
This is a unique opportunity to influence how data, technology and spatial intelligence are used to inform investment, support decision-making and improve outcomes across South Yorkshire.
About you
We're looking for an experienced analytical leader and strategic thinker with a passion for turning data into meaningful insight.
You’ll have:
- Education to degree standard in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience, including significant knowledge of statistical techniques, data quality and data sharing
- Substantial demonstrable experience at a senior level in data analysis, GIS analysis, operational research, statistics, data science or another related discipline, applying tools such as Python, R, SQL or equivalent.
- The proven ability to develop, manage and get the best from a diverse, multidisciplinary team.
- Experience using tools for managing, analysing and displaying geospatial data, and using geospatial data to communicate stories to stakeholders.
- Previous experience in developing strategies to unlock the value of data assets, including appropriate data sharing protocols to enable cross-organisational insight.
- Significant experience and advanced understanding of data architecture and data modelling, and how the right data system design enables efficient and robust analytical processes and advanced analytical techniques, including familiarity with relevant platforms such as Microsoft Fabric.
- Demonstrable evidence of defining complex problems, ensuring data and analytical quality, and bringing strategic insights on what matters from analysis in a way which allows decisions to be taken.
- Experience in employing data visualisation techniques to communicate insights.
- Strong attention to detail together with an ability to communicate complex issues and data clearly, verbally and in writing, to a wide variety of audiences including at the most senior level
- Experience of building constructive, collaborative working relationships and engaging with internal and external partners to deliver.
- A track record of collaborating at pace to deliver concurrent projects on time without sacrificing quality.
- The ability to develop your staff and build a positive, collaborative team culture
- A demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging.
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.
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.
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 [email protected] or include within your application form detailing the adjustment and how it will assist in managing any barriers.
Skills
PythonSQLData ScienceStrategic PlanningR
