Programme Manager - Employment

Xterna; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A public sector organisation in Manchester is seeking a dedicated Programme Manager to oversee high-profile employment-related projects. The successful candidate will manage partnerships with various sectors, ensuring active engagement with Senior Leaders to provide essential support for the residents of Greater Manchester. The role requires strong programme management skills, a commitment to equality, and the ability to work flexibly in a hybrid environment. Join our team and make a difference in the community!

Benefits

Competitive salary

Hybrid working model

Qualifications

• Strong programme management skills to deliver outcomes.
• Ability to manage risk and embed learning for improvement.
• Self-motivated with a passion for helping people.

Responsibilities

• Manage high-profile employment-related programmes.
• Work collaboratively with Senior Leaders and various organisations.
• Build constructive partnerships and influence decisions.

Skills

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Creative thinking

Job description

Salary: £49,282 - £53,460

Hours: 36.25 hours per week

Contract: Fixed term (until March 2027) extension dependent on future funding

Location: GMCA

Advert closing date: 21/12/2025

Your Role

As part of the Education, Work & Skills directorate and the Working Well team, you’ll be responsible for managing high profile employment related programmes. This will include all aspects of project management, delivering across large, devolved programmes and test and learn pilots alike. You’ll work directly with a broad range of Senior Leaders and organisations across multiple sectors; with partnership working and stakeholder management being critical aspects of this role.

Our goal is to ensure the highest quality of support for Greater Manchester residents. You’ll apply strong programme management skills to deliver outcomes, manage risk, and embed learning for continuous improvement. Working across sectors, you’ll build constructive partnerships and influence decisions to shape future employment support activity.

About You

You are passionate about people and committed to the equality of opportunity for all. You’ll show compassion and have what it takes to work under pressure on high profile programmes and manage demanding expectations.

You’ll thrive in a target driven environment and relish every opportunity to influence decisions and overcome obstacles. In doing so you’ll be creative and work flexibly to find the best possible solutions to challenges. An evidence focus, problem solving and rational thought will be required, while being honest and fair in your approach to making the right decision is critically important.

You will be a self‑motivated person who can operate under their own steam, demonstrating enthusiasm and a passion for the subject matter.

About Us

As an employer, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is made up of a number of key Greater Manchester strategic functions and service providers including: Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS); Waste and Resources; Environment; Work and Skills; Research; Public Sector Reform; Police, Crime and Criminal Justice; Homelessness; the Greater Manchester Ageing Hub and the Commissioning Hub.

We value the diversity of our employees, and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across Greater Manchester. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people's age, disability, Trans status and Non‑binary identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We have guidance 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.

To find out more about working for us please click here: https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/

Our Offer

In return for your hard work, we offer our employees a competitive package as part of our offer that you can find out more about here: GMCA offer - Green book.docx

Mandatory Information

Employees on the redeployment register will be given priority for any vacancies in the first instance. If employees are identified as a match from the register then the vacancy may be withdrawn or put on hold pending an outcome.

For this opportunity, you must be able to prove you have the right to work in the UK - if in doubt please visit the following link Employers' right to work checklist - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Please note we are not a licenced sponsor.

Hybrid working

This role is part of GMCAs hybrid working scheme. As part of our commitment to Build Back Fairer in Greater Manchester following the Covid-19 pandemic, we have evolved our management methods by trusting and empowering staff to deliver their work in the best way that suits the business and their individual needs, and supports health and wellbeing. Our hybrid working policy sets out a flexible approach, combining attendance at our [Manchester city centre office / Fire and Rescue service HQ in Swinton / other location] with remote working, typically from home; the location of work is primarily dictated by the needs of the business: Do what is right for you and the business on that day. If appointed to the role you will work with your manager to agree and regularly review the best working pattern for you, your team and your work.

BASIC DBS

The role holder will be subject to an Basic