Senior Programme Officer

Southwark Council; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in London is seeking a Senior Programme Officer to drive innovative programmes that bridge local communities with career opportunities in health and life sciences. You will lead programme delivery, secure funding, and foster partnerships with stakeholders. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and hybrid working arrangements, with 36 hours per week, including roles across Southwark and Lambeth.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Local Government Pension Scheme

Annual leave starting at 29 days

Wellbeing programme

Qualifications

• Experience within complex organisations managing programmes.
• Ability to engage confidently with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of programmes for health and life sciences.
• Secure funding and manage projects for multiple workstreams.
• Build partnerships with employers and education providers.

Skills

Programme and project management experience

Knowledge of policy development

Excellent communication skills

Analytical problem-solving

Strong digital skills

Job description

Overview

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The role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Programme Officer (SC1 London Skills and Employment) to shape the future of health and life sciences careers for Lambeth and Southwark residents. You will play a leading role in developing and delivering innovative programmes that connect local people with meaningful career pathways, while building partnerships that bring together employers, communities, and institutions across the SC1 London life sciences innovation district.

As Senior Programme Officer, you will design, coordinate, and oversee projects that open up access to careers in this fast-growing sector. This includes securing funding, monitoring programme performance, and ensuring communities are engaged with the opportunities available. A key part of the role will be developing strong relationships with employers, education providers, health partners, and other stakeholders to drive forward the ambitions of SC1 London.

This is a unique chance to make a tangible difference at both a local and regional level. Working with colleagues across Lambeth and Southwark councils, alongside leading health and life sciences institutions, you will help create skills and employment opportunities that contribute to the wider growth and innovation of the sector.

Why this role stands out

• Contribute to the development of SC1 London, a world-recognised hub for health and life sciences innovation.
• Lead impactful programmes that open real career pathways for residents in Lambeth and Southwark.
• Collaborate with councils, health institutions, employers, and education providers, giving you exposure to strategic decision-making and innovative projects.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of programmes that support residents into health and life sciences careers.
• Secure funding, manage projects, and monitor performance across multiple workstreams.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with employers, education providers, health institutions, and other stakeholders.
• Research and share relevant policy and sector developments to inform programme design and delivery.
• Provide strategic advice and guidance to senior officers, councils, and SC1 London partners.
• Promote programmes widely, celebrating success and ensuring alignment with local priorities.

What you\'ll bring

• Strong programme and project management experience within complex organisations.
• Knowledge of policy development, governance, commissioning, and performance management.
• Ability to analyse complex problems and develop practical, impactful solutions.
• Excellent communication and partnership-building skills, engaging confidently with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience of applying policy and sector developments to inform projects.
• Strong digital skills to support reporting, monitoring, and programme delivery.
• A proactive, organised approach with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Additional information

This role is being offered as a fixed term contract for 18 months. We encourage any internal staff to gain agreement from their substantive line manager if considering this is as a secondment opportunity.

Full time, 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

This is a hybrid role, and you will spend three days per week working across the offices of Southwark Council (London Bridge), Lambeth Council (Brixton), and Kings Health Partners (London Bridge).

Employee benefits

You'll join a motivated, driven, and supportive team that values each of its members and strives for excellence. You'll also be part of a successful, high-achieving development team making a real difference to the lives of residents across the borough. In return for all your hard work, skills and experience, you will receive:

• A competitive base salary (pro rata for part time staff)
• Strong supportive senior management team
• Regular one to one supervision
• Professional development & training opportunities
• Clear career development pathways
• Agile and flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Season ticket and cycle loans
• Annual Leave starting at 29 days per year, increasing to 37 (with length of service) (pro rata for part time staff)
• Wellbeing programme
• HSF Health plan and eye care scheme
• EAP employee assistance programme, confidential counselling and support
• Social clubs and staff groups

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

Recruitment timetable

Closing date: 10th October 2025 at 23:59*

*We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role, in which case we will move the key dates for the process. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Interview date: 23rd and 27th October 2025

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Salary range

• £45,852 - £53,319 per year