Program Manager

British Red Cross; Dundee, Inverness; Hybrid; GBP 39,496 - 42,257; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

36 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Learning & Development opportunities

Discounts for employees

Cycle2Work scheme

Job summary

The British Red Cross is seeking a Programme Manager for the SafeMates Scotland programme based in Scotland, focusing on training young peer supporters. This hybrid role includes managing programme governance, finances, and stakeholder engagement while supporting volunteers and staff in a community-focused environment.

The ideal candidate has extensive programme management experience and a passion for working with youth. Benefits include flexible working, generous leave, and career development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience managing programmes, including budget responsibilities and report writing.
• Experience working with young people in various settings.
• Up-to-date knowledge of volunteering policy and practice.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the management of the SafeMates Scotland programme.
• Lead development and execution of programme governance.
• Manage budget and deliver reports to funders.

Skills

Programme management experience

Working with young people

Safeguarding responsibilities

Organizational skills

Proactive and solution-focused

IT proficiency

Job description

Location: Central Belt, Dundee or Inverness (hybrid role between home and various face‑to‑face events across Scotland)

35 hours per week (typically Monday to Friday)

Salary Range: £39,496 to £42,257 per annum

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? Are you ready to oversee the management of our SafeMates Scotland: Peer Support through Cashback programme?

Through this programme we’ll be training over 1,000 young people over 3 years to become skilled volunteer peer supporters. We’ll give them the practical and emotional skills to help their peers at local events, freshers’ fayres, music festivals and in their own communities. This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious and well‑organised individual to oversee the programme (that’s directly supported by CashBack for Communities funding). Could this be you?

A day in the life of our Programme Manager – SafeMates Scotland

Everyday you’ll be central to the smooth running of our SafeMates Scotland (Cashback for Communities) programme. Your day could include:

• Programme Governance and Planning: Leading the development, execution, and objective alignment of the SafeMates Scotland Programme. Ensuring all operational milestones and targets are met.
• Financial Control and Evaluation: Manage the externally funded budget alongside internal monitoring systems to evaluate impacts. Delivering comprehensive reports to funders and stakeholders.
• Risk and Safety Management: Implementing strict risk assessment protocols to guarantee a secure environment for all staff, volunteers, and programme participants.
• Support Operations Directly: Assisting in the delivery of SafeMates training sessions at community hub activities and large events. Providing immediate safeguarding guidance. Applying trauma‑informed care to ensure a supportive and sensitive approach to end users.
• Stakeholder engagement and Partnerships: Building external partnerships by forging deep connections with local youth, education, and community networks. Collaborating closely with internal stakeholders to keep the programme effectively managed.
• Boost Brand Visibility: Acting as an active external ambassador and deploying a targeted communications strategy establishing wider national awareness and social media presence.
• Staff and Volunteer Management and Support: You’ll manage the entire lifecycle of staff, interns, and volunteers from initial induction and goal‑based development through to full BRC system compliance. You’ll directly oversee each participant’s journey by coordinating their onboarding, activity training, real‑time support, and final debriefings.

To be a successful Programme Manager – SafeMates Scotland you’ll need:

• Experience of managing programmes (both remotely and in person). This includes budget responsibilities, delivery of events, monitoring & evaluation and report writing.
• Working with young people in a variety of settings (including safeguarding responsibilities).
• Up to date knowledge of volunteering policy and practice. Experience of working with volunteers.
• Highly organised and able to work independently (as well as part of a team) while managing multiple priorities.
• Proactive, solution‑focused and able to respond appropriately and sensitively in crisis situations.
• Proficiency and confidence in using multiple IT. Ability to work dynamically with technology across a range of platforms.

Interested? Closing date for applications is 23.59hrs on Sunday 21st June 2026. Interviews will take place soon after.

In return for your commitment and expertise, you’ll get:

• Flexible working: Remote and hybrid working, flexitime, compressed hours, and job sharing.
• Holidays: 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) + option to buy 5 extra days (per annum).
• Pension scheme: Up to 6% contributory pension.
• Learning & Development: A range of career & learning opportunities.
• Discounts: Blue Light Discount Card, Tickets For Good & employee benefits platform.
• Cycle2Work: Lease a bicycle through the scheme.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident and Carers Confident employer. We are dedicated to building an inclusive, equitable and wellbeing‑focused culture where everyone feels safe, valued and can thrive. Guided by our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Strategy, we foster belonging, psychological and physical wellbeing, and work to remove barriers to fair opportunities. Grounded in compassion and anti‑racist practice, we listen to diverse voices, value lived experience and create environments where staff and volunteers can succeed. Join us and be part of an organisation that leads with care, celebrates difference and helps everyone succeed.

Together, we are the world's emergency responders