Policy Assistant

Policy Assistant (Spatial Planning and Strategic Sites)

£34,418 per annum - Grade 5

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

Closing date – 4 May at 23:55

Please note that the Combined Authority will consider requests for part-time working and/or job share. Join us as a Policy Assistant (Spatial Planning & Strategic Sites). We’re looking for a motivated spatial planner to help shape the future of West Yorkshire. As part of our Place and Environment Policy team, you will play a key role in developing place-based approaches to regional policy, identifying strategic sites, and supporting regeneration schemes that drive delivery of the West Yorkshire Plan.

As Policy Assistant, you will support the creation of spatial policy by carrying out research, analysis, and project management across a range of workstreams. This includes monitoring planning applications and local/national planning policy to ensure our objectives are met and opportunities for transport funding are maximised.

You will be joining a team at the heart of the Combined Authority’s Policing, Environment and Place Directorate. Our wider mission is to accelerate sustainable growth and resilience across the region - improving the quality of infrastructure and placemaking in areas such as transport, housing, employment land, net zero and energy, climate resilience, environment, and urban design.

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 Development Lead, your key responsibilities will include:

· Help to secure funding by developing, or contributing to reports, business cases or through providing advice on planning applications and working with partners to negotiate and agree S106 funding arrangements.

· Support with the development of spatial policy / strategy and a strategic sites pipeline that supports the delivery of the West Yorkshire Plan.

· Provide support with influencing national and local planning policy development to reflect regional priorities and the outcomes of the West Yorkshire Plan.

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

About You

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

· An understanding of planning policy development and the planning process, either through education or experience.

· Knowledge of land use planning policy and strategy development (or social, economic, environmental, transport policy).

· Knowledge of budget control and data input processes.

· Ability to prioritise tasks, create work plans and adhere to deadlines.

· Ability to communicate effectively and accurately to a range of audiences, using verbal and written means and a variety of media.

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