Capital Programme Manager

The Jockey Club; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

TeamPass Event Tickets

Pension scheme

Healthcare cash back

25 days annual leave

Eyecare vouchers

Job summary

The Jockey Club, based at Cheltenham Racecourse with regular travel to other racecourses, is seeking a Capital Programme Manager for a 12‑month fixed term hybrid role. You will lead a portfolio of major capital projects from business case through to Board approval and completion.

In this high‑visibility position you will shape investments across construction, infrastructure, property and technology, ensuring safe, on‑time delivery and value for money, while coaching Project Leads and

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering complex capital, construction or infrastructure projects from concept through to completion.
• Experience operating at programme or portfolio level, balancing priorities across multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to manage budgets, procurement activity, supplier relationships and value optimisation.
• Comfortable working across a broad range of project types including construction, refurbishment, infrastructure, property and technology investments.
• Excellent stakeholder management, able to influence at all levels from delivery partners to Executive and Board audiences.
• Track record of delivering results in high-pressure environments, ensuring projects are completed safely, on time and within budget.
• Experience leading procurement and tender processes to secure best outcomes while ensuring quality and compliance.
• Understanding of project governance, risk management and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead some of The Jockey Club's most high-profile and complex capital projects, from concept through to completion.
• Shape and deliver investments that enhance our racecourses, venues and experiences for millions of visitors each year.
• Take ownership of project budgets, programmes and outcomes, ensuring delivery and value for money.
• Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, specialist consultants and delivery partners across the business.
• Drive best-in-class procurement and supplier performance to deliver successful projects.
• Provide oversight across a portfolio spanning construction, infrastructure, property, technology and venue enhancements.
• Develop robust project governance, reporting and controls for Executive and Board level decision-making.
• Coach and support Project Leads across the organisation, raising delivery capability.
• Identify risks, opportunities and efficiencies to maximise strategic investment impact.
• Play a key role within the Strategic Delivery Unit, championing a collaborative, pragmatic approach to delivery.

Skills

Capital projects

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Procurement

Governance

Risk management

Education

Project/programme management qualifications

Job description

Based at: Cheltenham Racecourse – regular travel to racecourses across the group

Contract type: 12 months fixed term (possibility to extend)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

About the role

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Capital Programme Manager to play a pivotal role at the heart of The Jockey Club's strategic investment portfolio, shaping venues and spaces where millions of people will cheer, celebrate and create memories for generations to come.

Spanning major new-build and refurbishment projects, land and property acquisitions, infrastructure works, event structures, technology investments and minor works, this varied portfolio underpins the future of our racecourses and wider estate. In this hybrid role, you will personally lead a select number of our largest and most complex projects, while providing governance, oversight and leadership across the wider capital programme. Working closely with Project Leads and senior stakeholders, you'll ensure investment projects are delivered safely, efficiently and consistently, from initial business case through to Board approval and completion.

About The Jockey Club

The Jockey Club stages thrilling sporting occasions and live events nationwide including The Grand National, The Cheltenham Festival & The Derby. Owning & operating 15 courses, millions of people every year enjoy the special experiences we offer through racing, music, food and entertainment on racedays and beyond.

As the largest commercial group in British racing, we are guided by our mission to act for the long term good of the sport. Every penny we make goes back into racing to promote excellence within Britain’s second biggest spectator sport. Our people are what makes this possible

At The Jockey Club people are at the heart of what we do and drive our success. We are inclusive and actively seek to attract people with unique backgrounds and perspectives. Diverse, collaborative teams are pivotal to our success and support the potential and growth of all our people.

The Capital Programme Manager will

• Lead some of The Jockey Club's most high-profile and complex capital projects, from concept through to completion.
• Shape and deliver investments that enhance our racecourses, venues and experiences for millions of visitors each year.
• Take ownership of project budgets, programmes and outcomes, ensuring exceptional delivery and value for money.
• Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, specialist consultants and delivery partners across the business.
• Drive best-in-class procurement and supplier performance, securing the expertise needed to deliver successful projects.
• Provide oversight across a diverse portfolio spanning construction, infrastructure, property, technology and venue enhancements.
• Develop robust project governance, reporting and controls that enable informed decision-making at Executive and Board level.
• Coach and support Project Leads across the organisation, raising project delivery capability and sharing best practice.
• Identify risks, opportunities and efficiencies across the portfolio, helping maximise the impact of strategic investment.
• Play a key role within the Strategic Delivery Unit, championing a collaborative, pragmatic and results-focused approach to delivery.

About you

• Proven experience delivering complex capital, construction or infrastructure projects from concept through to completion.
• Experience operating at programme or portfolio level, balancing priorities across multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to manage budgets, procurement activity, supplier relationships and value optimisation.
• Comfortable working across a broad range of project types, including construction, refurbishment, infrastructure, property and technology investments.
• An excellent stakeholder manager, able to build credibility and influence at all levels, from delivery partners through to Executive and Board audiences.
• A track record of delivering results in high-pressure environments, ensuring projects are completed safely, on time and within budget.
• Confident leading procurement and tender processes, negotiating effectively to secure the best outcomes while maintaining quality and compliance.
• Strong understanding of project governance, risk management and reporting, with the ability to translate complexity into clear decision-making information.
• A proactive, pragmatic and solutions-focused approach, with the drive to take ownership, overcome challenges and see projects through to completion.
• Relevant programme, project management or construction-related qualifications are desirable, alongside knowledge of Health & Safety and associated regulatory requirements

What we offer in return

• All colleagues can go along to any of our race day or music events free of charge – along with 3 friends or family with our TeamPass Ticket scheme.
• An award-winning pension scheme provider with a generous employer contribution
• A healthcare cash back plan enabling you to claim money back on health & wellbeing services.
• 25 days annual leave
• A whole host of other benefits including free eyecare vouchers, a ride to work cycle scheme & discounts across varying retailers & services.

Our closing date for this vacancy is 28th October but we reserve the right to bring this forward if we have many applications.

This role may be subject to a criminal record check, standard or enhanced DBS check or BHA Suitability Check. By applying you confirm that you are happy for these checks to be carried out.