Rural Growth & Farming Programme Lead

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

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