Programme Manager - National Sports & PE Networks

ICF; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Job summary

ICF is seeking a senior programme manager to lead national and multi-region initiatives aimed at improving sport, physical activity and PE delivery in schools across the UK. You will translate national priorities into practical plans, align partners, manage funding, and drive continuous delivery improvements based on feedback from schools and local networks.

You will coordinate diverse stakeholders, maintain robust reporting, and ensure compliance with safeguarding and value-for-money

Qualifications

• Substantial programme management experience in sport, physical activity, PE, education or public health.
• Experience managing complex partner networks and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Strong financial, commercial, risk and performance management capability.
• Ability to translate strategy and evidence into implementable plans and clear senior reporting.

Responsibilities

• Own integrated programme plans, budgets, dependencies, risks, benefits and reporting across several delivery strands.
• Coordinate government bodies, local authorities, schools, partnerships and suppliers around shared outcomes.
• Provide appraisal and performance insight on grant-funded activity, ensuring delivery quality and compliance.
• Use data and evaluation to identify inequalities, improve delivery and inform future investment.
• Lead regional and local partner mobilisation, ensuring safeguarding and value for money are addressed.
• Line manage or task manage programme staff and contribute to bids and client development.

Skills

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Financial management

Strategic planning

Inclusive delivery

Education

PRINCE2

MSP

APM PMQ

Job description

Role purpose
Leading a portfolio of national or multi-region programmes that use networks, investment and partnership delivery to improve sport, physical activity and PE delivery in schools. The role turns national priorities into practical, well-managed plans that work for schools and communities in different places. It brings partners together around clear outcomes, makes sure funding and support are directed where they can make the greatest difference, and uses feedback from schools and local networks to improve delivery over time. Description
Role purpose
Leading a portfolio of national or multi-region programmes that use networks, investment and partnership delivery to improve sport, physical activity and PE delivery in schools. The role turns national priorities into practical, well-managed plans that work for schools and communities in different places. It brings partners together around clear outcomes, makes sure funding and support are directed where they can make the greatest difference, and uses feedback from schools and local networks to improve delivery over time. Key Responsibilities

• Own integrated programme plans, budgets, dependencies, risks, benefits and reporting across several delivery strands.
• Coordinate government bodies, local authorities, schools, active partnerships, national governing bodies, community organisations and suppliers around shared outcomes.
• Provide proportionate appraisal and performance insight on grant‑funded activity, ensuring delivery quality, compliance
• Use participation data, stakeholder insight and evaluation evidence to identify inequalities, improve delivery and inform future investment.
• Lead regional and local partner mobilisation, ensuring safeguarding, accessibility, value for money and compliance requirements are addressed.
• Line manage or task manage programme staff and contribute to bids, proposals, client and service development.

Skills, Knowledge And Experience

• Substantial programme management experience in sport, physical activity, PE, education, public health, community development or a comparable public-service setting.
• Experience managing complex partner networks and influencing senior stakeholders without relying on formal authority.
• Strong financial, commercial, risk and performance management capability.
• Ability to translate strategy and evidence into clear implementation plans, turning insight into deliverable work packages, clear decisions and concise senior reporting.
• Knowledge of physical activity inequalities and inclusive, place-based or systems approaches.
• Relevant project or programme qualification, such as PRINCE2, MSP, APM PMQ or equivalent practical experience.

Personal qualities

• Inclusive and collaborative, with the confidence to build trust and productive relationships across schools, community organisations, public bodies and delivery partners.
• Organised and solutions-focused, confident managing competing priorities while maintaining high-quality delivery and accurate records.
• Committed to widening participation and motivated to reducing barriers to sport and physical activity for underserved groups.
• Comfortable travelling and working flexibly when programme activity, events or partner engagement requires it.

About Us
Working at ICF means applying a passion for meaningful work with intellectual rigor to help solve the leading issues of our day. Smart, compassionate, innovative, committed, ICF employees tackle unprecedented challenges to benefit people, businesses, and governments around the globe. We believe in collaboration, mutual respect, open communication, and opportunity for growth. We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building an inclusive workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are committed to creating a culture where we embrace our differences in ideas and identities. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. Learn more about what we do and our commitment to inclusion. The Benefits Of Joining ICF
Our people at ICF are our most important asset, so we invest in them from the moment they arrive. When you join our team, you’ll have access to a vast array of benefits to help you live your life well. We offer a hybrid working policy, which will provide you with the flexibility to collaborate in the office, as well as in the comfort of your own home, ensuring you are able to successfully deliver the requirements of your role. To support you, our employee wellbeing hub is designed to provide highly personalised support across a comprehensive range of wellbeing issues, such as mind, body, finances, community, career programs and HR support. We enjoy celebrating success, which is why we have a competitive recognition program called ‘You Matter’, which awards points as a ‘thank you’ for your work achievements. These can be spent on a large variety of high-quality items, as well as online or high-street vouchers, all with zero tax payable by the employee. ICF also offers a range of competitive benefits, which include:

• Single Private Medical Insurance cover with no restrictions on existing conditions.
• Dental insurance and an online GP service.
• 25 days annual leave, plus UK bank holidays (annual leave increases with years of service).
• Pension scheme with 5% of salary employer contribution
• Life assurance paying 4x annual salary and Group Income Protection paying 66% of salary for up to 5 years if you are off work on long-term sick.
• Enhanced parental leave policies, enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental pay.

Candidate AI Usage Policy
At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair and equitable interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process. However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodations that involve the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at [e-mail]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed. London (GB80)