Planning & Programme Manager

ACT Ltd; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday package

E-learning platform for all staff

Annual salary increases

Healthcare cash plan

Contributory pension scheme

Job summary

ACT Ltd is seeking a Planning and Programme Manager to shape strategic planning, governance and organisational improvement. You will lead the annual planning cycle, oversee the portfolio, and drive data-informed decision making while developing the Strategy & Planning team.

The role requires strong stakeholder engagement and a commitment to continuous improvement. The position supports flexible, hybrid working arrangements and a focus on delivering ACT's strategic priorities.

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating strategic planning, programme management, organisational performance or business improvement activities.
• Experience managing cross functional projects or programmes, balancing competing priorities and delivering organisational outcomes.
• Experience developing, implementing and embedding organisational governance frameworks, planning processes or management systems.
• Experience using business insight and performance data to support evidence led planning and organisational decision making.
• Experience producing high quality reports, dashboards and assurance information for senior leaders and governance bodies.
• Experience managing or working closely with Business Intelligence, Business Insights or organisational reporting functions.
• Proven Experience leading and managing teams, with a track record of developing high performing individuals.

Responsibilities

• Lead ACT's annual strategic planning cycle and support departments to develop and deliver strategic objectives.
• Oversee ACT's strategic project and programme portfolio, ensuring effective governance, prioritisation and delivery.
• Lead the development and implementation of ACT's organisational risk governance framework and corporate risk register.
• Oversee the Business Insights function, ensuring data and reporting provide meaningful insight for decision-making.
• Produce strategic performance, risk and assurance reporting for Senior Leadership and Board.
• Lead and develop the Strategy & Planning team, building capability and promoting consistent approaches across ACT.
• Build strong relationships across the organisation and promote a culture of continuous improvement.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Project & programme management

Data-driven decision making

Governance & risk management

Change & continuous improvement

Education

PM qualification or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

At ACT, our Behaviour Framework shapes everything we do. We are looking for a Planning and Programme Manager who demonstrates genuine Respect, communicates with Openness & Honesty, and brings Innovation & Creativity to strategic planning, problem-solving and organisational improvement. You will be motivated to Empower colleagues and teams to deliver ACT's strategic priorities, while maintaining Clarity in your planning, decision-making and communication. If you are resilient, adaptable and committed to using insight and effective governance to drive continuous improvement and organisational success, we would love to hear from you.

What you’ll do:

• Lead ACT's annual strategic planning cycle and support departments to develop and deliver strategic objectives.
• Oversee ACT's strategic project and programme portfolio, ensuring effective governance, prioritisation and delivery.
• Lead the development and implementation of ACT's organisational risk governance framework and corporate risk register.
• Oversee the Business Insights function, ensuring data and reporting provide meaningful insight for decision-making.
• Produce strategic performance, risk and assurance reporting for Senior Leadership and Board.
• Lead and develop the Strategy & Planning team, building capability and promoting consistent approaches across ACT.
• Build strong relationships across the organisation and promote a culture of continuous improvement.

Please see the full Job Description and Person Specification for further information about the role.

ACT is committed to promoting the Welsh language for both staff and learners, and whilst it is not considered essential criteria, the ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this role.

Why work for ACT?

At ACT, people are at the heart of everything we do. As Wales’s largest training provider, we’re passionate about making a real difference through high-quality learning — and we’re just as committed to supporting our staff to grow, develop and succeed.

We’re proud to be an Investors in People Platinum organisation, accredited for over 25 years, and recognised in the Best Companies 2025 awards as one of the UK’s top employers — ranked 26th Best Large Company to Work For and 5th in Wales.

Our Values:

At ACT, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture of respect, fairness, and dignity for all. We believe in creating an inclusive environment where every individual feel valued and empowered to thrive.

FREDIE has been central to promoting and recognising exceptional commitment to equality and diversity. FREDIE stands for Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement, and these values are at the heart of ACT’s philosophy, shaping our approach to both staff and learners.

Diversity statement

ACT is dedicated to fair and safe recruitment practices, ensuring equality for all applicants and staff. We do not discriminate based on gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age. Our questioning and collating of information are intended to help us maintain equal opportunities best practice and identify barriers to workforce equality and diversity. The information collated from you will not be used in any decision affecting you.

We are happy to consider an reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process, please drop us an email with your requirements.

What next?

The Advert will close 10th September 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

Applicants will be notified via email of application process (please check junk or spam folders)

An interview process consisting of:

A face-to-face interview at our Head Office with a work-based task (for example - a micro teach, or presentation full details will be provided before interview)

We’re keen to ensure our hiring process allows you to be at your best, so if you need us to make any adjustments, please just let us know.

If you have any queries about the vacancy please feel free to contact us on [e-mail].

Safeguarding:

Our organisation is deeply committed to safeguarding the welfare of all learners and staff. We expect all employees to uphold this commitment as part of their role. Please note that the successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check.

What you get in return:

• Excellent professional development opportunities
• Generous holiday package (up to 45 days per year)
• E-learning platform available to all staff.
• Annual salary increases
• Staff counselling sessions
• Mental Health First Aider
• Wellbeing initiatives
• Bi-annual performance reviews
• Staff Council
• Flexible and hybrid working (where applicable)
• Team building days
• Volunteering days
• Staff celebration days
• Length of service, birthday and yearly appreciation rewards
• Staff Recognition Awards
• Healthcare cash plan
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance

Our Values:

At ACT, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture of respect, fairness, and dignity for all. We believe in creating an inclusive environment where every individual feels valued and empowered to thrive.

FREDIE stands for Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement – values that lie at the heart of everything we do at ACT. From our interactions with staff to our engagement with learners, these principles guide our approach, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Downloads

• Job Advert JD & PS planning and programme manager

Person Specification

What we are looking for

Experience

Experience coordinating strategic planning, programme management, organisational performance or business improvement activities

Experience managing cross function projects or programmes, balancing competing priorities and delivering organisational outcomes.

Experience developing, implementing and embedding organisational governance frameworks, planning processes or management systems.

Experience using business insight and performance data to support evidence led planning and organisational decision making.

Experience producing high quality reports, dashboards and assurance information for senior leaders and governance bodies

Experience managing or working closely with Business Intelligence, Business Insights or organisational reporting functions.

Proven Experience leading and managing teams, with a track record of developing high performing individuals.

Qualifications & Knowledge

Professional qualification in Project or programme management, or equivalent practical experiences.

Knowledge and understanding of strategic planning, programme management, organisational performance and governance.

Knowledge and understanding of organisational risk management and risk governance.

Understanding of how business insight and performance data can support evidence led organisational decision making.

Skills & Attributes

Excellent organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.

Ability to work collaboratively while also using initiative and working independently.

Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office and the ability to work with data, reporting and management information.

Ability to develop and embed consistent processes, frameworks and ways of working.

Strong project and programme management skills, with the ability to monitor progress, risks, outcomes and benefits.

Evidence led decision maker, able to interpret complex information and apply sound judgement.

Ability to constructively challenge and provide appropriate advice and recommendations.

Strong communicator and facilitator, able to influence and build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels.

Strategic thinker with the ability to translate organisational priorities into effective planning and delivery.

Personal Qualities

Strategic, forward thinking and solutions focused

Self organised, motivated and proactive

Confident and credible when working with senior stakeholders

Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to respond positively to change

Committed to continuous improvement and organisational learning

Committed to developing and empowering others.

Other

Demonstrate ACT's Behaviour Framework