Programme Manager

Active Travel England; York and North Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension

Leave entitlement

Bank holidays & Privilege Day

Staff discount portal

Career development funding

Diversity & Inclusion

Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible working

Job summary

Active Travel England is seeking a delivery-focused programme manager to lead high-profile walking, wheeling and cycling projects across England. The role supports hybrid working in Birmingham or York and offers a fixed-term contract of up to 2.5 years, with options for full-time, job share or part-time arrangements.

You will develop business cases, establish governance, manage risks, and build strong relationships with departments, local authorities and partners to deliver strategic benefits

Qualifications

• Good understanding of local transport planning and delivery.
• Knowledge of street design standards and active travel infrastructure.
• Skilled in programme management, governance, contracting and/or grant management.
• Ability to interpret policy and translate it into practical delivery.
• Experience leading teams and building relationships.
• Strong communication skills with commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of programmes and projects, establishing clear scopes, plans and governance frameworks.
• Develop business cases with project leads and cross-agency partners.
• Build and manage effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify, manage and elevate risks and issues, driving solutions.
• Ensure projects deliver strategic benefits through governance, assurance, contract and grant management.
• Monitor programme performance, resources, timelines and delivery outcomes.

Skills

Transport planning

Programme management

Stakeholder engagement

Policy interpretation

People leadership

DEI commitment

Job description

Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 6th September 2026

Location: Birmingham, York (This role is suitable for hybrid working)

Salary: £57,515 - A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Contract Type: Fixed term up to 2.5 years – Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Active Travel England is the government agency responsible for making walking, wheeling and cycling safer and more accessible across England. Working closely with the Department for Transport, local authorities and national partners, we support the delivery of active travel infrastructure through expert advice, funding and policy leadership. This is an exciting opportunity to lead high-profile projects, influence national priorities and help shape the future delivery of active travel at scale.

Top Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of programmes and projects, establishing clear scopes, plans and governance frameworks.
• Develop business cases with project leads, subject matter experts and cross-agency partners.
• Build and manage effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify, manage and elevate risks and issues, driving solutions where needed.
• Ensure projects deliver strategic benefits through effective governance, assurance, contract and grant management.
• Monitor programme performance, resources, timelines and delivery outcomes.

For more information on the role and responsibilities please see the full job advert on CS Jobs using the link provided.

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

About You

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Good understanding of local transport planning and delivery.
• Working knowledge of street design standards and active travel infrastructure and/or behaviour change initiatives that support active travel.
• Skilled in programme management, governance, contracting and/or grant management.
• Ability to interpret policy and translate it into practical delivery.
• Experience leading teams, developing colleagues and building strong relationships.
• Strong communication skills with a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Sunday 6th September 2026