Programme Assistant

Stoke-on-Trent City Council; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid and flexible working options

Local authority pension scheme

Professional development

Job summary

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is seeking a Programme Assistant to support the Levelling Up Programme and other capital regeneration projects. The role covers project administration, management and delivery within a matrix environment, across internal and external teams.

The post holder will deliver on projects and support the wider Levelling Up team. The role requires post-graduate experience, strong organisation, and the ability to work in a political environment with multiple stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Post-graduate experience in a project management environment.
• Strong understanding of working in a fast-paced political environment and with key stakeholders.
• Excellent knowledge of project management best practice and underpinning disciplines (finance, legal, governance, procurement).
• Experience in multi-disciplinary teams supporting multi-agency, multi-funder projects to time, cost and quality indicators.
• Track record of programme and project support, administration and management of regeneration, infrastructure and development projects.
• Well-organised with strong project management, administration, reporting and meetings facilitation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead on smaller projects and assist others with coordinating multi-disciplinary teams, including procurement and appointment of professionals.
• Support the development and delivery of complex projects in a multi-stakeholder environment, representing the Council externally.
• Advise on construction programmes, procurement, contract and delivery, minimising risk and maximising financial returns.
• Set and manage programmes and deadlines to ensure schemes complete within funding constraints.
• Lead on smaller projects and support wider regeneration projects with media and communications handling.
• Prepare documents, agendas, minutes, reports and presentations to professional standards.

Skills

Post-graduate experience

Fast-paced political environment

Project management knowledge

Multi-disciplinary teamwork

Programme and project support

Organisational and facilitation skills

Education

Post-graduate qualification in a relevant field

Job description

Directorate: Housing, Regeneration and Operations

Section: Major Projects and Regeneration

Location: Civic Centre

Hours: 37 hours per week

This advert is open to internal and external applicants.

This is a fixed term post until June 2027 to cover secondment however, it could extend should the seconded employee return date change. This can be offered on a Secondment basis should your current manager agree.

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:

To support the approved and agreed Levelling Up Programme and other capital regeneration projects, with all aspects of its project administration, management and delivery. The programme is arranged in investment portfolios led by the Programme Director. The Programme Assistant will have a range of projects to support, have direct responsibility for the delivery of other projects, and will work across the programme as directed. The post holder must be able to thrive within this matrix environment and will therefore be expected to support the wider Levelling Up team.

Key Responsibilities:

• To lead on smaller projects and assist in others with the coordination of multi-disciplinary teams, internal and external to the Council, including procurement and appointment of professionals; to monitor the performance of all project appointees, taking corrective action when necessary.
• To assist and support the development and delivery of complex projects in a multi-stakeholder environment, representing the City Council in an outward facing capacity, upholding the professional conduct and behaviours expected of senior professionals.
• To assist with advice on construction programmes, procurement, contract and delivery, and investment principles associated with built assets in order to minimise the risks to the Council, maximise the benefits and financial returns associated with each project.
• To propose, agree, set and work to programmes and deadlines as to ensure completion of schemes within the financial constraints of the project and in accordance with funding agreements.
• Leading on smaller projects, and assist on others, with media and communications contact on regeneration projects, assisting with queries and liaising with the project as necessary, drawing upon the expertise of colleagues.
• Formulate documents, agendas, minutes, reports and presentations to a high quality and professional standard.

About You:

• Post-graduate experience working in a similar environment of project management and/or similar
• Good understanding of working within a fast-paced political environment and the key stakeholders involved in successful project delivery teams
• Excellent knowledge of best practice in relation to project management and all underpinning disciplines (finance, legal, governance, procurement)
• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team supporting and delivering multi-agency, multi-funder projects to agreed time, cost and quality indicators
• Track record of programme and project support, administration and management of regeneration, infrastructure and development projects
• Well organised, good project management, administration, reporting and meetings facilitation skills.

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

Organisation Process

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.

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.

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.