Programme Manager

Children's Social Care, Wokingham; Wokingham; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Wokingham seeks an experienced Programme Manager for a full-time, fixed-term contract. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring effective delivery of core strategic programmes, engaging with senior stakeholders, and managing associated risks. Ideal applicants will have programme management qualifications and experience in local government. The role provides opportunities for professional development and includes generous benefits such as annual leave and a pension scheme.

Benefits

Generous Annual Leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Free Onsite Gym

Learning & Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• Relevant programme and project management qualification or skills.
• Experience with transformational government and efficiency agenda.
• Relevant change management qualification or skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure successful delivery of programmes across housing services.
• Coordinate strategic portfolio and collaborate with PMO and Project Managers.
• Track programme related risks and facilitate sessions with leaders.
• Lead and develop staff for high performance.
• Contribute to service and financial planning.

Skills

Programme and project management experience

Knowledge of local government

Change management experience

Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Project)

Job description

Employer: Wokingham Borough Council

Salary: £52,414 - £57,870 per annum, plus benefits

Location: Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End/Home Working

Contract: Contract

Working Pattern: Full Time

Hours: 37 hours per week.

DBS Check: No

Closing Date: 25/01/2026 at 23:00

Reference: 713338

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Programme Manager to join our Business Change Team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full-time 12 month fixed term contract.

As a Programme Manager, you will ensure the successful delivery and monitoring of core strategic programmes within a portfolio of change. Your role will focus on programme objectives, programme level risk and issue management and benefits to be owned, measured and tracked.

You will engage with cross-functional senior stakeholders to drive good governance across the programmes and ensure information is clear and transparent, support change management, maximise opportunities, escalated issues and address any resourcing impacts.

Benefits

• Generous Annual Leave – 31 days annual leave (rising by 5 days after 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidays
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• GP Helpline – Available 7 days a week
• Employee Assistance Programme – Including a 24/7 Your Care Helpline
• Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines
• Free Onsite Gym – Located at Shute End Offices, Wokingham
• Local & Lifestyle Discounts - Save on shopping, entertainment, dining out & more
• Move through Menopause Course
• Sports & Social Group Activities – Including running, football, cricket & more
• Learning & Development Opportunities
• Employee Networks
• And more!

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for supporting the daily delivery of programmes across the housing services whilst working with other council directorates.
• Responsible for coordination of a strategic portfolio, working closely with the Business Change colleagues, especially the PMO and Portfolio Manager and Project Managers to ensure successful implementation and impact management.
• Accountable for the tracking of programme level related risks across the council with appropriate escalation and facilitation of risk and assurance sessions with senior leaders to understand potential issues, seek mitigations and provide successful delivery of services.
• Leading, motivating, and developing staff involved with projects and programmes in line with delivery requirements, to achieve consistently high employee engagement and performance, including line management responsibilities if required.
• Contribute to strategy, performance and quality control, and service and financial planning for specialist areas.

Candidate Requirements

• Relevant programme and project management qualification or skills and experience (MSP or similar).
• Knowledge of local government and particularly transformational Government and efficiency agenda.
• Relevant change management qualification or skills and experience (Prosci or similar).
• Experience of using Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, MS Project, MS Visio, PowerPoint.

Our Area

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside. We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. The borough has a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

Click the link below and Apply Today. Alternatively, for more information or to arrange an informal discussion about the role, please contact Lewis Borges, Head of Customer Experience and Change via [e-mail] (Strictly no agencies).

Interview W/C 26th January 2026

Whilst this is a fixed term contract appointment, for anyone already employed by Wokingham Borough Council this would be classed as a secondment if successful. Therefore, the usual permission requests for secondments apply and you must speak to your line manager in the first instance before applying.

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre‑employment checks.

We will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.