Senior Program Manager - Building Safety

Salix Homes; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A housing organization in Manchester is seeking an experienced Senior Program Manager for Building Safety to lead the Building Safety Remediation Programme. This role is crucial for ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and managing high-risk residential projects. The ideal candidate will possess strong program management skills, experience in construction or remediation, and the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders. An understanding of building safety regulations and strong leadership qualities are essential for success in this influential role.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of the Cladding Safety Scheme and Building Safety Act 2022.
• Exceptional programme management and risk management capability.
• Proven experience in leading large-scale construction or remediation programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of the Building Safety Remediation Programme.
• Ensure compliance with the Building Safety Act and CSS.
• Manage complex relationships with stakeholders and residents.

Skills

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Regulatory compliance

Public speaking

Decision-making

Education

Degree in construction, engineering, or related field

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and resilient Senior Program Manager Building Safety to provide strategic leadership and end-to-end management of our Building Safety Remediation Programme. This high‑profile role is accountable for ensuring full compliance with the Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS), the Building Safety Act 2022, and all associated regulatory, technical and funding requirements.

You will lead a complex portfolio of high‑risk residential remediation projects, ensuring resident safety, regulatory compliance, value for money and timely delivery. Acting as the organisation’s subject‑matter expert, you will advise the Executive Team and Board, and represent the organisation with regulators, funders and key external stakeholders.

This is a demanding and influential role requiring strong personal resilience, sound judgement and confidence operating with significant accountability in a highly regulated and politically sensitive environment.

The role - What You’ll be doing?

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Lead the development and delivery of a comprehensive Building Safety Remediation Programme aligned with organisational strategy, regulatory expectations and CSS requirements.
• Act as the organisation’s senior expert on cladding and building safety remediation, advising the Executive Team and Board.
• Establish clear programme governance, decision‑making routes and escalation processes.
• Embed robust assurance arrangements, including audits and gateway reviews, across the programme lifecycle.

Regulatory Compliance & Funding

• Ensure full compliance with the Building Safety Act 2022, Fire Safety Act, Building Regulations and relevant British Standards.
• Oversee all CSS funding applications, variations, claims and reconciliations, ensuring audit readiness and compliance with grant conditions.
• Maintain alignment with emerging guidance from DLUHC, the Building Safety Regulator, Homes England and other relevant bodies.
• Act as the senior point of contact with Homes England, DLUHC and funding partners.
• Oversee the safe, timely and cost‑effective delivery of multiple high‑value, technically complex remediation projects.
• Establish and maintain robust programme controls, including schedules, cost plans, risk registers, change control and reporting.
• Ensure procurement strategies comply with public procurement regulations and organisational standing orders.
• Maintain overall programme budgets, forecasts and value‑for‑money assessments.

Risk, Assurance & Recovery

• Identify, manage and mitigate programme‑level risks, including safety, financial, legal, reputational and resident risks.
• Oversee recovery routes where applicable, including warranties, insurance claims and third‑party recoveries.

Stakeholder & Resident Engagement

• Lead resident engagement strategies, ensuring transparent, timely and sensitive communication throughout remediation works.
• Manage complex relationships with residents, leaseholders, managing agents, local authorities, fire and rescue services and contractors.
• Lead responses to complaints, enquiries and any political or media interest relating to building safety works.

Leadership & Culture

• Provide strong leadership, coaching and professional development to programme and project teams.
• Promote a positive safety culture and collaborative, outcomes‑focused ways of working.
• Champion equality, diversity and inclusion across programme delivery.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of the Cladding Safety Scheme, the Building Safety Act 2022 and related regulatory frameworks.
• Degree (or equivalent) in construction, engineering, surveying, programme management, or significant relevant professional experience.
• Exceptional programme management, governance and risk management capability.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate future challenges and translate strategy into effective delivery plans.
• Highly effective stakeholder manager, including experience of resident engagement in sensitive environments.
• Confident, resilient leader who is decisive, positive and able to challenge constructively when required.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across organisational and sector boundaries.
• High levels of political awareness and diplomacy, with the ability to operate effectively in complex and high‑profile environments.
• Analytical and evidence‑based decision‑maker, comfortable evaluating alternative strategies and delivery models.
• Demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Flexible and adaptable approach to work.

Experience

• Significant experience leading large‑scale construction or remediation programmes in social housing, local authority or similarly regulated environments.
• Proven experience delivering cladding and/or fire safety remediation projects.
• Demonstrable success in securing and managing government grant funding.
• Experience of working effectively with Boards and senior committees.
• Proven track record of managing multiple complex projects concurrently within organisations of comparable scale and complexity.
• Experience leading and developing multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Strong experience of contractor and consultant management within a customer‑focused environment.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with key strategic stakeholders.
• Demonstrable experience of managing significant budgets and undertaking financial and risk appraisals linked to business strategy.

Key Stakeholders

• Board and Executive Team
• Building Safety Regulator
• Homes England and DLUHC
• Fire and Rescue Service
• Residents and Leaseholders
• Local Authorities
• Consultants, Contractors and Employer’s Agents