Connected by Water Funding and Commercial Manager

• Hours: 37 hours
• Contract: Fixed Term - 2 years
• Salary: £44,428 - £47,420 (pending pay award)
• Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)

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 MCA has a great story to tell. We have ambitions to deliver recovery and renewal for people, businesses and places across South Yorkshire.

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 (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.

Connected by Water is an alliance comprising of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, City of Doncaster Council, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Sheffield City Council, the Environment Agency, and Yorkshire Water, working together to build flood resilience and respond to the climate emergency.

Please note, applications must be accompanied by a detailed cover letter to outline your interest and suitability for the role.

Key Responsibilities

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the next phase of strategy and delivery for this innovative Connected by Water partnership, against a backdrop of ambitious goals for South Yorkshire.

As Connected by Water Funding and Commercial Manager you will lead on seeking out and securing funding and investment from both established and new innovative sources to deliver the Connected by Water programme objectives of flood risk reduction and improved flood resilience for people and places across South Yorkshire.

This is a key role in the team, enabling the delivery of the partnership's ambitions to take a catchment wide approach to managing water across South Yorkshire, building resilience, and responding to the climate emergency.

Other responsibilities include:

• Leading on the development and submission of external funding bids and business cases.
• Explore new contributions from private sector investors, developers, infrastructure providers and explore opportunities for sponsorship and innovative funding models for the partnership.
• Work with partners to optimise investment within existing budgets and plans. Support budget management, monitoring, and funding returns.
• Pro-actively horizon scan for new and unique funding/finance opportunities, innovative pilot pitches and seek to maximise grant funding across a range of outcomes such as health and the environment.
• Support the Strategic Partnerships Lead in seeking out and developing regional investment and additional inward investment.
• Provide commercial capability across the team, including procurement and contractual support and advice.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

You'll have substantial knowledge of identifying funding and investment opportunities, bid writing and developing financial business plans, as well as knowledge of local, regional, and national funding opportunities in the environmental or infrastructure space.

We'd love to hear from candidates with the following skills and experience:

• Experience of successful capital and revenue funding bids from a wide range of sources.
• Experience in developing business cases.
• Knowledge of commercial funding arrangements and drivers.
• Experience of providing specialist and technical advice and guidance.
• Exceptional influencing and communication skills with proven ability to build and manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Confident in your approach and able to positively pitch ideas to partners and funders, including experts, chief executives, and political leads.

If you would like an informal chat about the role prior to applying please contact Sarah Tyler at Connected By Water

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.

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 - Up to 36 days annual leave (depending on length of service). 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.