Programme Manager

West Yorkshire Combined Authority; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

28 days annual leave + bank holidays

Free bus and rail travel via MCard (Le

Local Government Pension Scheme

Professional development support

Volunteer days

Salary progression

Job summary

West Yorkshire Combined Authority is recruiting a Programme Manager to join the Programme and Partnerships service, delivering portfolio oversight across transport capital programmes from Leeds. Hybrid working and a permanent, full‑time appointment offer a dynamic, high‑impact role within the Portfolio team.

You will shape a new Programme area, manage forecasting, risk, and reporting, and line-manage talented professionals while collaborating with district councils, the Department for Transport,

Qualifications

• Experience of working in a programme management / project delivery environment.
• Ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships and develop relationships.
• Be a confident communicator with the ability to communicate at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Manage portfolio management services including forecasting and reporting.
• Oversee Transport and Technical Professional Services Framework and EV infrastructure programmes.
• Line manage and develop a team of Portfolio and Programme Management professionals.

Skills

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Leadership

Job description

Programme Manager

£52,619 per annum - Grade 9

Leeds / Hybrid

Full time / Permanent

We currently have a vacancy for a Programme Manager to join our Programmes and Partnerships service area, working in the Portfolio team. We work with our internal and external colleagues and stakeholders to provide a portfolio role overseeing the management and reporting of our Transport Capital Programmes.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape a new Programme area within an established, dynamic team.

The areas of responsibility include;

• portfolio management such as developing lessons learnt and best practice and supporting existing services such as financial and milestone forecasting, risk management, and reporting of our transport portfolio.
• programme management of our Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure programmes and contract management of our Transport Technical and Professional Services Framework.

The role will require the successful candidate to have strong communication and organisational skills, working with a range of stakeholders including internal teams, our district Partner Councils, other Combined Authorities and the Department for Transport.

It is an exciting time to be joining the Mayoral Combined Authority. We have a wide variety of exciting projects such as new bus and rail stations, local sustainable travel infrastructure, and programmes such as bus franchising which will help shape the future of the West Yorkshire region as set out in our Local Transport Plan. The Mayor has also been awarded devolved decision making and budget control including a £2bn transport settlement to be delivered over the next 5 years to help achieve regional ambitions.

Our Offer

• Work your way – From flexible and agile working options, including a generous flexi-time scheme to help you balance your personal life and career.
• Time to recharge – Enjoy 28 days of annual leave (with increases based on length of service), plus all Bank Holidays.
• Free greener travel across West Yorkshire – Cover your commute sustainably with unlimited free bus and rail travel using the MCard (Zones 1–5).
• Secure your future – Benefit from a highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Investing in you –Take advantage of supported professional development, regular training, and up to 3 paid volunteering days per year.
• Grow with us – Incremental salary progression for most roles and annual cost of living increases.
• Family first – We offer enhanced parental and bereavement leave, plus other family-friendly policies to support you when it matters most.
• Your wellbeing, our priority – Access 24/7 free confidential counselling services and the Headspace app for you and up to 5 family or friends.
• Modern workspace in a prime location – Work in bright, contemporary offices just a 2-minute walk from Leeds Train Station, fully equipped with the latest tech.

The Role

Reporting into the Implementation Lead, your key responsibilities will include:

• To work closely in partnership with stakeholders to develop Portfolio Management services such as lessons learnt, best practise, along with maintaining existing services such as financial forecasting and reporting.
• To manage the Transport and Technical Professional Services Framework and Electric Vehicle/ Electric Infrastructure programmes.
• To line manage and develop a team of Portfolio and Programme Management professionals.

Please review the Role Profile on our website for more information about the responsibilities.

About You

• Experience of working in a programme management / project delivery environment and driving forward delivery.
• The ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships and the skills to develop relationships.
• Be a confident communicator with the ability to communicate at all levels and summarise key information from various sources and in a range of outputs to the DfT, Members and Senior Managers.
• Able to lead your own team, matrix manage and support the management of the wider Programmes and Partnerships area.

Further Information

The Combined Authority is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better outcomes. We welcome applications irrespective of people's age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability and/or who are neuro divergent. To find out more about inclusivity at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority please visit our dedicated webpage.

Under the Disability Confident Scheme, applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview, subject to the minimum criteria being met.