Policy Officer

CompanyWest Yorkshire Combined Authority

LocationLeeds, England, United Kingdom

Posted At3/13/2026

UK Visa Sponsorship Analytics

Occupation Type

Business, research and administrative professionals not elsewhere classified.

Occupation Code Skill LevelHigher Skilled

Sponsorship Salary Threshold

£56,600 (£29.03 per hour)

Occupation rate applies

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Description

Policy Officer (Housing)

£49,889 per annum (salary effective 1 April 2026) - Grade 8

Leeds / Hybrid

Permanent / Full time (37 hours per week)

Closing date: Sunday 22 March 2026 at 11:55pm

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 (Housing) in our Place and Environment Policy team.

As our Policy Officer (Housing) you will have knowledge of housing and/or homelessness to take on this exciting and varied role within our housing policy function, driving forward our West Yorkshire Housing Strategy ambitions, and delivering on the Mayor of West Yorkshire’s pledge to build 5,000 affordable homes.

There is significant momentum behind housing policy activity at West Yorkshire Combined Authority right now, as we take the next steps on our devolution journey with multi-year funding through our first ever Integrated Settlement, which includes £189 million of investment in housing delivery across the region. There are also significant opportunities for affordable housing delivery through Homes England’s Social and Affordable Homes Programme, alongside new strategic responsibilities in homelessness and rough sleeping.

In this context, you will have an opportunity to take on a key role in leading, developing and implementing housing policy across West Yorkshire, working in partnership with local authorities, key agencies such as Homes England, housing associations, developers, and communities.

It is important that you demonstrate how your breadth of experience, knowledge and skills align with the role when applying. We have therefore created comprehensive guidance for candidates, and you are strongly urged to read this before completing your application form. Please visit our Advice for Candidates webpage to find this guidance and further support in completing your application form.

Visit our 'Life at West Yorkshire Combined Authority' webpage to find out what our staff have to say about working here.

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 (Housing), your key responsibilities will include:

Leading oversight and monitoring progress against the ambitions set out in the West Yorkshire Housing Strategy, working closely with internal and external stakeholders to sustain momentum across strategic objectives, as well as developing policy proposals for additional projects, partnerships and activity required to drive delivery.

Taking an active role across internal and external engagements, convening partners and representing the interests of the Combined Authority, including drafting and co-ordinating high-quality committee and officer group reports.

Supporting the work of the Mayoral office and senior leadership in relation to housing, including preparing briefings, speeches, and supporting at events where appropriate.

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

About You

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

A degree in housing or a related field, such as planning, social policy or economics, with experience of evidence‑based policy development and implementation, preferably within a housing and/or homelessness setting.
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to distil complex information into clear and concise written and oral communication outputs for various audiences.
Proven ability to produce high‑quality briefings, committee and board papers, and advice for senior leaders, supported by strong organisational skills to manage multiple workstreams and work at pace to meet tight deadlines.

Demonstrable ability to operate within a policy and strategy function in a complex organisation, translating objectives into programmes and partnerships, and monitoring delivery and impact.

Experience of developing relationships and engaging with senior stakeholders, including convening meetings, facilitating collaboration, and confidently representing the organisation in external forums.

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 under the ‘About You’ section of the advert and criteria 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.

If you would like to discuss this role in more detail, please contact Carl Makin via carl.makin@westyorks-ca.gov.uk.

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.