Project Officer

Project Officer

£41,747 per annum - Grade 7

Leeds / Hybrid Full time / Fixed term until March 2029

Closing date – 2 August at 23:55

Please note that the Combined Authority will consider requests for part-time working and/or job share.

We are seeking a talented and committed Project Officer to join the Culture, Heritage and Sport team on a fixed term basis. This will be an opportunity to develop experience and impact in the creative industries, a priority sector, as well as supporting the wider work of the team. As Project Officer, you will play a key role supporting activity through policy, investment, and convening and championing, including a suite of creative industries support and skills training initiatives to improve the resilience and diversity of the sector. This includes a key focus on the creative industries, with priority sectors fashion & textiles, games, immersive live experience, music, and screen. 

Our new Project Officer will also contribute to the delivery of key regional strategies, including the West Yorkshire Plan, Mayoral Pledges, the Local Growth Plan, and the Creative Industries Cluster Action Plan. As powers and responsibilities continue to be devolved, the role will support efforts to target resources effectively and deliver strategic, collaborative interventions to further develop the region’s culture, heritage, sport and creative industries sectors as well as supporting engagement with the Mayoral office.

The role also involves working closely with colleagues across the Inclusive Economy Directorate, particularly within Education and Skills and Business, as well as with wider Combined Authority teams including Research and Intelligence, Place, Marcomms, and the Mayoral Office. This includes engaging with a wide range of external partners, including the five West Yorkshire Local Authorities (Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield), Arm’s Length Bodies, such as Arts Council England and Sport England, Government departments, sector organisations, and local communities, and maintaining strong working relationships with the Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP).

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 supported 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 Creative Industries Programme Manager, your key responsibilities will include:

· Project, contract and relationships management, leading on multiple projects and contracts and managing delivery partners, including being a proactive and positive relationship manager and builder internally and externally with stakeholders including local, regional, and central government, Creative Industries Cluster Action Plan Group and priority sectors, Arts Council England, White Rose partners, The Great North partners, and the Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP).

· Active engagement with Combined Authority colleagues across teams to enable timely and resource-efficient progress through processes including, where appropriate, assurance, contracts, and legals, including closely working with Policy and Delivery colleagues to ensure programmes in development and delivery meet our objectives.

· Proactive participation in internal and external meetings and consultations including coordination and convening as well as representation at events, as well as contribution to support of the Mayoral office including preparation of briefings, speeches, and research.

Please review the Role Profile on our website for more information about the responsibilities.

About You

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

· Strong ability to work collaboratively across multiple internal and external teams, while also using initiative to work independently.

· Excellent interpersonal, communication, analytical and written skills, with experience of assurance and public-sector processes or transferable expertise.

· Proven experience building and managing relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

· Demonstrable background and network within the creative industries, alongside a strong interest in West Yorkshire’s creative sector priorities.

· Good understanding of local, regional and national policy across creative industries, culture, heritage and sport, including the role of the LVEP and partnership working between the Combined Authority and Local Authorities.

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.