Advisor - Made Smarter

• Hours: 37 hours
• Contract: Fixed Term - (end date 31 March 2026)
• Salary: GBP41,511 - GBP44,711
• Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) brings together the local authorities of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield and to serve the communities and businesses of South Yorkshire. From transport to housing, from business growth to skills, the MCA has a great story to tell. We have ambitions to deliver recovery and renewal for people, businesses and places across South Yorkshire.

Please note that SYMCA follows a structured salary grading system for all roles, and the offered salary for each post will be at the starting point within the specified grade. We value the skills and experience of potential candidates, and there will be opportunities for salary enhancements as you grow within South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is currently in the process of reviewing its terms and conditions of employment including pay and grading. As part of this project, the post advertised may be subject to changes in the near future. All changes and any impact on individual posts will be discussed further should you be successfully appointed to the position you have applied for.

Please note that all applications must be accompanied by a personal statement to outline your interest and suitability for the role.

Key Responsibilities

Made Smarter is an ambitious programme seeking to digitise manufacturers and embed Industry 4.0 to enable regional businesses to become more productive, less wasteful, and more competitive with their continental counterparts.

As Made Smarter Advisor you will be the account manager for the Made Smarter programme, working with a portfolio of clients that have engaged with the programme and assisting with directing businesses through the full customer journey. You will be the key point of contact and manage the relationship between the business and all aspects of the programme as well as a range of internal and external business support services.

Key responsibilities include:

• Work collaboratively with our programme team, delivery partners, MCA partners, and wider directorate to help deliver a successful and thriving Made Smarter programme for the region.
• Be a visible presence across South Yorkshire, ensuring that the Made Smarter offer is understood to all stakeholders.
• Enhance and grow Made Smarter as a key destination for support with digitisation and Industry 4.0 for manufacturers within Yorkshire.
• Work closely with regional stakeholders such as the local authorities, the Universities, manufacturers and manufacturing networks, and business support providers.
• Handle enquiries via phone and email, initially assessing the growth potential and business needs using appropriate tools, processes and systems.
• Continually monitor performance and determine and instigate immediate remedial action to address any shortfalls.
• Manage & monitor businesses progression throughout the customer journey, conducting 'Induction' meetings for businesses entering the process.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

You will have previous experience of working at a mid or senior level within a manufacturing or similar business with a proven track record of running successful business support projects. You'll have a thorough understanding of all aspects of business start-up/scale up, management, development and failure with proven ability to initiate, lead and champion entrepreneurial and personal behaviours that drive commercial success.

We'd love to hear from candidates with the following experience:

• Experience of managing a client caseload.
• Experience of engaging with a variety of senior stakeholders and team members
• Experience of providing specialist and technical advice and guidance to business representatives at all levels of seniority with the ability to translate technical concepts and complex policy into clear, accessible information for senior leaders and non-technical audiences.
• Strong knowledge of contract and performance management.
• Expertise in building relationships and networks and inspire confidence with Ecosystem stakeholders.
• Ability to analyse issues and complex information, extract key points and present advice and guidance in an easily understood way.
• Strong organisation and time management skills with the ability to work under pressure, being self-motivated and able to use own initiative under minimal supervision.
• Capable of acting as an account manager to manufacturing and engineering SMEs across different sub-sectors.

For more detail, please see the role profile attached.

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.

In addition to the above, some of benefits include -

• Annual Leave Purchase Scheme - The ability to purchase up to a further 15 days per year in additional 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.
• Rewarding You - Reducing everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more with Reward Gateway!
• Training on the job - Support with upskilling skills through on the job training and qualifications
• Holiday - Up to 36 days annual leave (depending on length of service). Pro-rata for part time colleagues.

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. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.