Head of Travel Safe Partnership
Application Deadline: 15 September 2026
Department: Public Transport Operations
Employment Type: Permanent – Full Time
Location: Sheffield Head Office
Reporting To: Assistant Director of Bus Services and Network Safety Andrew Simpson
Compensation: £68,077 – £73,366 / year
Description
- Hours: 37 hours (full time)
- Contract: Permanent
- Salary: Grade 14 – £68,077 – £73,366
- Location: Sheffield (hybrid working)
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Travel Safe Partnership to lead the development and delivery of a safe, secure and welcoming public transport network across South Yorkshire.
This is a high-profile leadership role that will shape the future of the Travel Safe Partnership as South Yorkshire transitions to a fully franchised bus network and develops the South Yorkshire People’s Network. Working with a wide range of partners, you will help improve passenger confidence, reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, and ensure safety is embedded across all transport services.
About the role
Reporting to the Assistant Director of Bus Services & Network Safety, you will provide strategic leadership for the Travel Safe Partnership, ensuring transport safety remains at the heart of public transport delivery across South Yorkshire.
In this role, you will:
- Lead the development and delivery of the Travel Safe Partnership Strategy and associated programmes
- Build strong partnerships with transport operators, local authorities, police, community safety organisations and other stakeholders
- Shape and influence transport safety policy, strategy and operational delivery across the South Yorkshire People’s Network
- Lead initiatives to address crime, anti-social behaviour and passenger safety concerns across the transport network
- Oversee the performance, governance and development of Travel Safe programmes and associated budgets
- Develop business cases, secure funding opportunities and support investment in transport safety initiatives
- Provide strategic advice and expert guidance to senior leaders, elected members and partners
- Support the development of safety frameworks and assurance arrangements across bus, tram and wider transport operations
- Lead the mobilisation and management of operational safety and enforcement teams
- Promote continuous improvement, innovation and best practice in transport safety and safeguarding
- Represent SYMCA at local, regional and national forums relating to transport safety and partnership working
This is a unique opportunity to influence how safety is delivered across a growing and transforming public transport network.
About you
You will be an experienced leader with a strong background in transport safety, community safety, partnership working or a related field, and a passion for improving public confidence in transport services.
- Significant experience leading strategic programmes, partnerships or services within a complex environment
- Experience developing and delivering policy, strategy and operational initiatives focused on safety, security or community outcomes
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, motivate and develop high-performing teams
- Experience managing budgets, contracts, business cases and funding opportunities
- Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and partnership-building skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the confidence to make decisions and manage risk
- Experience preparing briefings, reports and recommendations for senior leaders, boards and elected members
- Knowledge of safeguarding, community safety and relevant legislative frameworks
- The ability to operate effectively within politically sensitive and high-profile environments
- A collaborative and solutions-focused approach, with a commitment to delivering positive outcomes for communities
You will be passionate about creating safer journeys for residents and visitors, and motivated by the opportunity to help shape the future of public transport safety across South Yorkshire.
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.
- 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 addition 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.
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