Policy Officer

Policy Officer (Spatial Planning and Strategic Sites)

£46,889 per annum - Grade 8

Leeds / Hybrid Full time / Permanent - 37 hours per week

Closing date – 05 April at 23:55

Please note that the Combined Authority will consider requests for part-time working and/or job share. We currently have a vacancy for a Policy Officer (Spatial Planning and Strategic Sites) to join our Place and Environment Policy team.

As Policy Officer, you will support with the development and implementation of regional planning policy and strategies, and play a key part in identifying strategic sites and regeneration opportunities that drive forward the ambitions of the West Yorkshire Plan. Your work will span a wide range of impactful responsibilities, including developing spatial planning policy, contributing to the emerging West Yorkshire Infrastructure Strategy (IS) and Spatial Development Strategy (SDS), undertaking research and analysis, and managing project workstreams.

We’re looking for someone with hands-on experience in planning, policy development and stakeholder engagement. If you’re passionate about creating sustainable places, supporting greener transport, delivering affordable homes, unlocking economic growth and tackling climate change - this is an exciting chance to make a real difference.

Our Offer

· Work your way – From flexible and agile working options, including a generous flexi-time scheme to help you balance your personal life and career.

· Time to recharge – Enjoy 28 days of annual leave (with increases based on length of service), plus all Bank Holidays.

· Free greener travel across West Yorkshire – Cover your commute sustainably with unlimited free bus and rail travel using the MCard (Zones 1–5).

· Secure your future – Benefit from a highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.

· Investing in you – Take advantage of fully funded professional development, regular training, and up to 3 paid volunteering days per year.

· Grow with us – Incremental salary progression for most roles and annual cost of living increases.

· Family first – We offer enhanced parental and bereavement leave, plus other family-friendly policies to support you when it matters most.

· Your wellbeing, our priority – Access 24/7 free confidential counselling services and the Headspace app for you and up to 5 family or friends.

· Modern workspace in a prime location – Work in bright, contemporary offices just a 2-minute walk from Leeds Train Station, fully equipped with the latest tech.

The Role

Reporting into the Policy Manager, your key responsibilities will include:

· Working closely with the Spatial Planning and Strategic Sites team to develop and implement place-based policies / strategic sites strategy, aligned to the West Yorkshire Plan.

· Working closely with internal colleagues, District partners and other relevant stakeholders to influence and shape their activities and gain their input to support the delivery of the West Yorkshire Infrastructure Strategy and Spatial Development Strategy and the Combined Authority ambitions.

· Leading, owning and developing policy proposals, appraising strategy options, and coordinating projects and initiatives in relation to the development of a Spatial Development Strategy.

Please review the Role Profile for more information about the responsibilities.

About You

You will have the following key skills, attributes, education and experience:

· Strong understanding and previous experience of planning policy development and working within a spatial planning setting.

· Skilled in partnership working, with proven negotiation abilities across diverse stakeholders.

· Clear and confident communicator, with evidenced ability to present complex information concisely to senior officers and Members.

· Experienced in managing planning policy and evidence-base projects within multidisciplinary teams.

· Effective team player with initiative and problem-solving skills to support evidence-based policy development.

To Apply

If this sounds like your next role, please complete the application form and tell us within the supporting statement why you would be a great fit for our role and how your skills, knowledge and experience align with the requirements within the Role Profile. Please visit our Advice for Candidates webpage and review the guidance on

this page for support in completing your application form.

Further Information

The Combined Authority is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better outcomes. We welcome applications irrespective of people's age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability and/or who are neuro divergent. To find out more about inclusivity at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority please visit our dedicated webpage.

Under the Disability Confident Scheme, applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview, subject to the minimum criteria being met. Please note that whilst it is our policy to recruit at SP1 for all appointments, which is the salary stated above, each role includes career salary progression, with incremental increases applicable in most cases on an annual basis