Place Expansion Lead

Stoke-on-Trent City Council; Hempstalls; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid and flexible working options

Local authority pension scheme

Job summary

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is seeking an inspiring Place Programme Lead to drive Sport England’s Place Expansion Programme across Bentilee, Meir, Abbey Hulton and Burslem. This is a community-led role putting residents at heart of change and building strong local partnerships.

You will lead delivery, governance, risk management and reporting, connect with public health, planning and regeneration, and empower communities to shape priorities and invest in healthier, active neighbourhoods.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in programme management with delivery and reporting.
• Experience building partnerships across public, private, voluntary and community sectors.
• Strong strategic leadership with ability to influence stakeholders.
• Experience managing budgets and funding agreements.
• Knowledge of public health, place-based working or healthy communities.

Responsibilities

• Lead programme delivery, governance, performance monitoring and reporting.
• Build partnerships with Sport England, community organisations and council services.
• Empower residents to shape local priorities and co-design sustainable approaches.
• Coordinate resources, budgets and reporting in line with funding conditions.
• Align delivery with Public Health and regeneration priorities.

Skills

Programme management

Partnership building

Communication skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Budget & funding management

Public health / place-based working

Job description

Directorate: Public Health, Protection and Wellbeing

Section: Wellbeing and Leisure Services

Location: Fenton Manor/Civic Centre

Grade: Level 11

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract type: Fixed Term until 2 years

This advert is open to both internal and external applicants.

About us:

We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke-on Trent City Council is more than just a job, it's about making, protecting and improving the services for the local population, reducing inequalities and improving independence for the people who live and work in the city. And that’s where you come in. We are always looking for people of the highest calibre with skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset and most valuable resource. The skills, knowledge and experience of our c.4,600 employees are essential to delivering our ambitions and vision for our organisation and Stoke-on-Trent. We want to be an employer that people are proud to work for, and where our staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them to excel and to deliver the high-quality services that our residents need.

Further information on the Council and our directorates

The Role:

Lead change. Empower communities. Shape a more active Stoke-on-Trent.

Are you passionate about tackling health inequalities and creating healthier, more active communities?

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is looking for an inspiring Place Programme Lead to drive Sport England’s Place Expansion Programme across Bentilee, Meir, Abbey Hulton and Burslem.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a major, community-led programme that puts residents at the heart of change, builds strong local partnerships and helps create lasting improvements to health and wellbeing.

What you’ll do:

• Lead programme delivery, governance, performance monitoring and reporting
• Build effective partnerships with community organisations, Sport England and Council services
• Empower residents to shape local priorities and influence investment
• Connect physical activity with public health, transport, planning and regeneration

What we’re looking for:

A confident strategic leader with strong programme management, partnership-building and communication skills, who can turn ambition into action and deliver meaningful outcomes

Why join us? Help shape the future of wellbeing in Stoke-on-Trent, influence how communities thrive and make a tangible difference to people’s lives.

Proposed interview date 2nd or 3rd of December

For more information on the role, please contact the Recruiting Manager Neal Morrell, [e-mail]

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and oversee delivery of the Sport England Place Expansion Programme across Bentilee, Meir, Abbey Hulton and Burslem
• Lead programme planning, governance, risk management and performance monitoring to ensure delivery against agreed outcomes and funding requirements
• Develop and maintain effective partnerships with Sport England, Local Trusted Organisations, Council services and community stakeholders
• Ensure residents are actively involved in shaping local priorities and co-designing sustainable, community-led approaches to increasing physical activity and wellbeing
• Coordinate programme resources, budgets and reporting, ensuring compliance with funding conditions and the Council’s responsibilities as accountable body
• Align programme delivery with wider Council priorities, including Public Health, active travel, planning, regeneration and tackling health inequalities

About You:

• Proven experience in programme management, including planning, delivery, monitoring, risk management and reporting against agreed outcomes
• Experience of developing and managing effective partnerships across public, private, voluntary and community sector organisations
• Strong strategic leadership skills with the ability to influence stakeholders, build consensus and drive collaborative approaches to complex challenges
• Experience of managing budgets, funding agreements, governance arrangements and compliance with financial and performance reporting requirements
• Knowledge of community development, public health, physical activity, health inequalities or place-based working, with an understanding of the wider determinants of health
• Excellent communication, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate strategic priorities into practical actions and measurable outcomes

What we offer:

• A competitive salary based on your skills, experience and talent
• Hybrid and flexible working options
• An excellent local authority benefits pension scheme
• Professional development through learning opportunities, regular training sessions and apprenticeship and management schemes

Further information on our Rewards and Benefits can be found here

Pre-Employment Checks:

• Right to Work in the UK
• Proof of address
• Satisfactory references
• Occupational Health Clearance
• Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations
• DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable for the role)

The Council will not accept any speculative CVs from employment agencies.

No agency terms and conditions accompanying any such CVs will be accepted by the Council.

Any unsolicited information sent by an employment agency will be treated as the property of the Council.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all our employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This position is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful applicant will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Please note that if an employee who is currently at risk of redundancy within the organisation applies for this vacancy their application will receive priority. If this happens you will be advised accordingly.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our community, and we want our workforce to reflect that. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. We understand that some people, especially those from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply if they don’t meet all the listed requirements. If this role interests you and you think you could be a good fit, we encourage you to apply. We are proud of what makes each of us unique and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels included, can be themselves, and can succeed together.