Project Manager – Bus Franchising

Hours: 37 hours per week Contract: Fixed Term - 12 months (maternity leave cover) Salary: Grade 9 £42,840 - £46,142 Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office) Applications must be accompanied by a cover letter to detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role (please see role profile attached). Please note, all applications should be made directly via our careers portal. Are you ready to lead transformative projects that will shape the future of public transport across South Yorkshire?

Here at SYMCA, we’re on a mission to deliver a world-class, integrated transport network — and we’re looking for a passionate Project Manager to help make it happen. As a Project Manager at SYMCA, you’ll take the lead on high-impact projects from concept to completion — delivering on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality and safety. You’ll play a key role in delivering our Capital Programme, either by managing your own projects or leading workstreams within larger programmes.

You will be working on our Bus Franchising Programme, helping to bring South Yorkshire’s bus network into public control by September 2027. This includes everything from depots and fleets to routes, fares, and service standards. As Project Manager on the Network and Integration workstream, you will lead the development and rollout of the franchised bus network, coordinating a wide range of stakeholders and technical specialists to ensure the network is designed and successfully delivered.

The role plays a key part in shaping a customer-focused network that provides reliable and attractive services that meet the needs of current and future passengers. Interviews for this role are expected to take place on Tuesday 25 August.

Key Responsibilities

include: Lead and manage projects through all stages — from planning and risk management to delivery and

Benefits

realisation. Develop and maintain project documentation including schedules, reports, risk registers, and cost forecasts. Manage budgets, contracts, and resources, ensuring value for money and timely delivery.

Prepare and submit business cases, ensuring alignment with governance and compliance standards. Collaborate with internal teams, local authorities, operators, and the public to ensure successful outcomes. You’ll be joining the Transport Development and Capital Delivery team delivering across three major portfolios: Bus Franchising – Transforming how buses operate across the region.

Transport Capital Programme – Delivering new and improved infrastructure including park & ride, mobility hubs, EV fleets, and more. Supertram Renewals – Upgrading tracks, fleets, depots, and passenger facilities. We’re after someone who’s not just organised and detail-oriented, but also a great communicator and collaborator.

You’ll have recent, hands-on experience managing projects through every stage — from shaping the business case to final delivery — using robust controls and processes to keep things on track, on budget, and aligned with strategic goals. You’ll be confident interpreting policies, strategies, and plans, and turning them into clear, compelling documentation — whether it’s a board report, a stakeholder update, or a public-facing summary. A strong customer focus and the ability to tailor your communication to different audiences will be key.

We’d especially love to hear from you if you have: A degree (or equivalent experience) in Project Management or Transport Planning Recent experience managing capital projects, ideally within the public sector or a similar complex setting. 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.