Programme Manager- Farming and Rural Affairs

East Midlands Combined County Authority; Chesterfield; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

East Midlands Combined County Authority in the East Midlands is recruiting a Programme Manager – Farming & Rural Affairs to steer the rural economy. You will lead the development and delivery of EMCCA's rural programmes, shaping policy and investment in collaboration with partners across local government, farming groups, businesses and universities.

You'll embed farming priorities in wider strategies, develop projects and business cases, secure resources through funding bids, and provide expert

Qualifications

• This role requires significant programme management experience across complex policy areas.
• Experience delivering rural, farming or economic development programmes is preferred.
• Proven ability to secure resources through business cases and funding bids.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of EMCCA's Farming & Rural Affairs programme.
• Design and manage programmes supporting rural economic growth, farming productivity, and environmental resilience.
• Embed rural priorities across strategies in economic development, transport, housing, skills, energy, climate resilience and place.
• Develop business cases, funding bids and investment proposals to secure resources.
• Manage programme governance, monitoring, evaluation, financial oversight and risk.
• Build partnerships with local authorities, DEFRA bodies, farming organisations, land managers, businesses, universities and communities.
• Provide briefings to senior leadership, the Mayor and Members.
• Represent EMCCA at regional and national meetings and events.
• Identify opportunities to keep EMCCA at the forefront of rural policy.

Skills

Programme management

Policy development

Stakeholder engagement

Governance & evaluation

Funding bids & investment proposals

Partnership building

Communication skills

Degree or equivalent professional exp.

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience

Job description

Location: East Midlands (Hybrid)

Directorate: Place

Reports to: Director of Climate Resilience & Green Growth

Help shape the future of the East Midlands' rural economy

The East Midlands is home to thriving rural communities, world-class agricultural businesses and nationally significant landscapes. As devolution creates new opportunities for investment and decision-making, we're looking for a Programme Manager – Farming & Rural Affairs to help ensure rural places are at the heart of our region's future.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the development and delivery of EMCCA's rural and farming agenda, influencing policy, shaping investment and working with partners to create sustainable economic growth across the East Midlands.

If you have programme management experience, enjoy working across a broad range of policy areas and are passionate about supporting rural communities and businesses, we'd love to hear from you.

About the role

You'll lead the development and delivery of programmes that strengthen the rural economy and ensure farming and rural priorities are embedded across EMCCA's wider strategies and investment plans.

Working across teams and with partners from local government, farming organisations, businesses, universities, government agencies and community groups, you'll develop projects that support productivity, skills, infrastructure, climate resilience and sustainable growth.

You'll also provide expert advice to senior leaders and elected members, helping shape how devolved powers and funding can deliver meaningful outcomes for rural communities.

What you'll be doing

You'll:

• Lead the development and delivery of EMCCA's Farming & Rural Affairs programme.
• Design and manage programmes and projects that support rural economic growth, farming, productivity and environmental resilience.
• Embed rural priorities across wider strategies covering economic development, transport, housing, skills, energy, climate resilience and place.
• Develop business cases, funding bids and investment proposals that secure resources for rural initiatives.
• Manage programme governance, monitoring, evaluation, financial oversight and risk management.
• Build strong partnerships with local authorities, DEFRA bodies, farming organisations, land managers, businesses, universities and community organisations.
• Provide high-quality briefings and advice to senior leadership, the Mayor and Members.
• Represent EMCCA at regional and national meetings, conferences and stakeholder events.
• Identify emerging opportunities and ensure EMCCA remains at the forefront of rural policy and programme development.

What we're looking for

We're looking for someone who combines strong programme management skills with the ability to work collaboratively across a wide range of stakeholders and policy areas.

• Proven experience delivering complex programmes or strategies, ideally within farming, rural affairs, economic development or a related field.
• Strong project and programme management experience, including governance, commissioning, delivery and evaluation.
• Experience establishing and delivering programmes in complex stakeholder environments.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and partners.
• The versatility to work confidently across a broad range of policy and programme areas.
• A strong understanding of at least one of the following areas:
• Economic growth
• Skills and employment
• Transport
• Housing
• Energy
• Nature recovery
• Climate resilience
• A strong financial awareness and experience managing programmes that deliver value for money.
• A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience working with rural businesses, agricultural organisations or farming communities.
• Experience convening partnerships, facilitating stakeholder groups or delivering conferences and events.
• Membership of a relevant professional body or evidence of continued professional development.

This is an opportunity to influence the future of one of England's largest and most diverse rural regions.

You'll help shape how devolved powers and investment improve outcomes for rural communities, businesses and the environment while working alongside passionate colleagues and partners committed to delivering long-term regional impact.

At EMCCA, our values guide everything we do:

• Lifting our region – championing opportunities that benefit our people, businesses and places.
• Working together – building trusted partnerships and bringing diverse voices together.
• Making an impact – turning ambitious ideas into practical delivery.
• Being human – leading with authenticity, respect and inclusion.

If you're looking for a varied and rewarding role where you can influence regional policy, develop innovative programmes and make a lasting difference to rural communities across the East Midlands, we'd love to hear from you.