Hours: 37 hours
Contract: Permanent
Salary: Grade 14 £68,077 - £73,366
Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)
Are you ready to shape the future of South Yorkshire?
At South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), we’re entering a pivotal phase. With new powers unlocked through devolution and the transition to an integrated settlement from April 2026, we’re scaling up our ambitions to deliver inclusive, sustainable growth for our communities. Evidence, insight and robust economic analysis will sit at the heart of how we invest, design policy and support South Yorkshire’s long‑term prosperity.
This is your opportunity to play a leading role in that transformation.
We’re looking for an exceptional Principal Economist to be SYMCA’s senior economic adviser for growth, business and labour market policy. You’ll help shape decisions that will influence the region’s economy for decades – providing rigorous insight, building our analysis and appraisal capability and ensuring our investments are grounded in robust, Green Book–compliant economics.
Applications must be accompanied by a cover letter to detail how you meet the criteria as detailed within the role profile. The Hiring Team would like you to demonstrate how you meet the below criteria within your cover letter:
- Extensive experience applying economic concepts to policy, including Green Book–compliant appraisal and cost–benefit analysis.
- Strong quantitative analysis skills, with experience leading complex analytical projects that inform policy and investment decisions.
- Excellent analytical judgement, able to interpret, integrate and communicate complex insights clearly for technical and non‑technical audiences, from working level staff to Board members and political leaders.
- Strong relationship‑building skills, with experience working across policy teams and external partners at a senior level.
- A track record of delivering at pace, balancing multiple priorities without compromising quality.
- Experience managing and developing analysts, supporting their growth and leading a high‑performing team.
Please note, all applications should be made directly via our careers portal.
About the role
As Principal Economist, you’ll lead the development and delivery of the economics and analysis work programme for the Growth, Business and Skills Directorate. You’ll advise Directors, Executive Team members and the Mayor of South Yorkshire on key strategic issues, shaping the policies and investments that drive our Growth Plan.
Working collaboratively across analysis, strategy and policy teams, you’ll lead quantitative analysis on the South Yorkshire economy, support the development of compelling business cases, and translate complex economic insight into clear, practical recommendations. You’ll provide thought leadership on the region’s labour market, sectors and business ecosystem, bringing an expert understanding of data, modelling, appraisal and policy.
You’ll also play a key outward‑facing role, building strong relationships with partners including local authorities, central government, research institutions and consultants, ensuring SYMCA’s economic capability reflects national best practice and emerging analytical tools, including AI.
This is a senior, high-impact role where your insight will directly inform decisions that shape South Yorkshire’s future.
About you
We’re looking for an outstanding economist with:
- An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in economics, and significant experience in central, local or regional government, consultancy, think tanks or research organisations.
- Extensive experience applying economic concepts to policy, including Green Book–compliant appraisal and cost–benefit analysis.
- Strong quantitative analysis skills, with experience leading complex analytical projects that inform policy and investment decisions.
- Excellent analytical judgement, able to interpret, integrate and communicate complex insights clearly for technical and non‑technical audiences, from working level staff to Board members and political leaders.
- The ability to anticipate and shape strategic priorities, planning analytical work across short-, medium- and long‑term time horizons.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to create clear, concise briefings and translate sophisticated analysis into accessible insight that drives action.
- Strong relationship‑building skills, with experience working across policy teams and external partners at a senior level.
- A track record of delivering at pace, balancing multiple priorities without compromising quality.
- Experience managing and developing analysts, supporting their growth and leading a high‑performing team.
- Experience commissioning and managing consultants to deliver high‑quality analytical work (desirable).
