Programme Manager - 6 month FTC

Do you love turning complex ambition into real‑world change?

 
Do you love working with senior leaders and Project Managers to cut through noise and focus on what really matters?

 
Do you love building delivery confidence, not just producing paperwork?

If that sounds like you, keep reading.

We’re looking for an experienced Programme Manager to lead the ongoing programme management of the Authority’s change programme—one of the key pillars of our business plan and a strategic deliverable for the organisation. You’ll join our Corporate Programme Office (a team of around 20) and take accountability for programme-level outcomes and benefits across a sub-portfolio of business change initiatives, many with a digital element.

What you’ll be doing

· Lead the overall programme management of our key programmes, ensuring delivery of outcomes and benefits across a sub-portfolio typically containing 10–15 initiatives.

· Shape and define programme delivery approaches, plans and controls.

· Own and maintain programme-level RAAIDD management, escalating and resolving risks and issues through governance.

· Manage programme finances, including internal and external control totals.

· Ensure delivery within defined governance frameworks and support effective decision-making at programme board level.

· Oversee scheduling and resource management across the programme, working with project managers assigned to individual initiatives.

· Lead stakeholder engagement and communications to maintain momentum and visibility.

· Manage dependencies within the programme and, where required, across wider Authority initiatives.

· Support pipeline management as part of a wider sub-portfolio, contributing to prioritisation to ensure the right projects are delivered at the right time.

We would like to see

• Proven programme management experience delivering complex change in a governance-led environment.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across different levels.
• Comfortable managing multiple workstreams and balancing competing priorities.
• Pragmatic decision-maker with a flexible, outcomes-focused approach.
• Sound understanding of project lifecycles and procurement processes.
• Confidence producing clear, concise programme reporting for boards and senior leaders.
• Highly visible, proactive and motivated—able to establish credibility quickly and operate with minimal supervision.
• Desirable: experience working in the public sector.

We don’t expect candidates to meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you!

To find out more about the role, take a look at the job description.

Schedule:

Application closing date: 10th May 2026

Sifting date: 11th May 2026

Interviews: w/c 11th May 2026

(If you are unavailable on these interview dates, please make us aware and we will look at alternative dates)

Security:

Successful candidates must pass basic security checks and will be subject to UK Immigration requirements.

We’re proud to be an inclusive employer and are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities, and we actively promote equality of opportunity throughout our recruitment process.

As part of our commitment to inclusive recruitment, we offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who meet the minimum selection criteria and identify as disabled or from a minority ethnic background, this aligns with our values.

We recruit based on your skills, experience and potential not your ethnicity, background, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. To help ensure fairness, we anonymise applications by asking you to remove personally identifiable information before they are reviewed by hiring managers. This helps us reduce unconscious bias and focus solely on what matters, your ability to succeed in the role.

If you’re successful in joining us, it’s because we believe in your ability to make a meaningful contribution. By continuing to improve the diversity of our organisation, we strengthen our collective knowledge, creativity, innovation and living our values of being trusted, inclusive, and progressive every day.

If you require reasonable adjustments or an alternative format to apply, please contact us at [email protected] or call us on 01623 637000. We are happy to support you through the process.