Principal Resources and Programmes Officer

Old Moat; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government body in Manchester seeks a Climate Change Manager to oversee the implementation of its Climate Change Action Plan until 2030. This role includes project management, developing partnerships across services, and ensuring the effective delivery of climate initiatives. Candidates should have a strong understanding of climate issues, as well as solid programme management experience. The position is hybrid and offers generous leave benefits, inclusive of a local government pension scheme and opportunities for personal development.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Local government pension scheme

Enhanced parental leave

Access to training and development programs

Flexible working hours

Up to 3 days volunteering leave

Qualifications

• Recent experience managing projects on environmental sustainability or low carbon.
• Strong relationship-building skills with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Experience managing budgets and project deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage actions in the Climate Change Action Plan.
• Develop projects to support delivery of climate actions.
• Organize meetings across public and private sectors.

Skills

Knowledge of climate change

Programme and project management skills

Ability to work with stakeholders

Job description

About The Role

Working Hours: 35 hours per week (hybrid / flexible working)
Contract Type: Temporary to February 2028
Closing Date: 11.59pm, 24 December 2025

Interview method: in person

Interview date: 19 January 2026

2 references where possible, we require 3 years' history

Politically Restricted Post

This post is classified as politically restricted under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, as amended by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009. This act imposes restrictions on political activities by employees who hold certain positions. Further guidance will be indicated in the appointment documents.

Role Overview

This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in the delivery of the Council's action on climate change. In this role you will play a key role in helping manage delivery of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan 2025-30. This has been approved in November 2025 following successful delivery of the CCAP 2020-25.

As part of the Zero Carbon Team in City Policy, you will play a key role in ensuring that the Council delivers its ambitious and deliverable plan to meet its objective to be Zero Carbon by 2038 and remain within its science-based Carbon emissions targets over this period. This involves working across a range of internal MCC services including Estates, Capital Programmes, Finance, Neighbourhoods and Strategic Housing, alongside other strategic partners in the city across the public, private and education sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Programme and project management of actions in the CCAP. Monitoring and reporting against actions in the CCAP periodically to the Council's Zero Carbon Coordination Group, Strategic Management Team, relevant Scrutiny committees and the Executive.
• Identifying and developing projects to support the delivery of actions within the CCAP.
• Managing systems and processes to support the delivery of projects.
• Developing strong relationships with colleagues and other stakeholders at all levels involved in the programme.
• Overseeing the work of other colleagues in the team and other teams to ensure the work is completed on time and to agreed standards.
• Managing budgets, ensuring accurate and correct data is recorded and attention to detail is maintained.
• Organising and facilitating internal and external meetings working across both the private and public sectors.
• Developing funding bids to attract additional resources to projects and programmes.

Candidate Profile

We are looking for candidates with knowledge of climate change and the environmental agenda and with recent experience managing projects or programmes on matters related to environmental sustainability or low carbon.

A successful candidate will be committed to our climate change and Zero Carbon objectives, have strong programme and project management skills and experience and be able to work effectively with a range of internal and external partners. You will work with stakeholders to deliver agreed actions and think strategically to identify gaps and new actions. You will have experience of working effectively both as part of your own team in the service and in wider teams drawn from other services and partners with an ability to develop strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders. You will have experience of managing the work of others including managing budgets, deadlines and other data with attention to detail and accuracy.

Benefits

• Generous holiday allowance – Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
• A buzzing pension – You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave – Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks – Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow – We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
• A Good Employment Charter member – We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognise three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave – Give back to the community with three days pro‑rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.

Equality and Inclusion

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Interview Adjustments – Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.

Accessible Formats – Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the “Accessibility tools” button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text‑to‑speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Immigration and Eligibility

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.

Pre‑Employment Checks

Proof of Right to Work – You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role.

References – We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).

Other Relevant Information

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified, applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

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