Strategic Programme Manager

GMCA; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 54,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

GMCA is recruiting a Strategic Programme Manager for Careers Education to shape a system‑wide careers education ecosystem in Greater Manchester. You will lead a high‑performing team, drive the GM Careers Hub and Community of Practice, and foster cross‑system collaboration between education, employers and public partners.

This permanent, full‑time role offers hybrid working across Manchester, with a focus on delivering measurable improvements in CEIAG and progression into good jobs for young

Responsibilities

• Shape a system-wide careers education ecosystem to improve outcomes for young people
• Lead a high-performing team and portfolio aligned to GM priorities
• Develop the GM Careers Hub and Community of Practice as a core system enabler
• Coordinate cross-system collaboration between education, employers and public partners
• Oversee programme governance, delivery models, commissioning, performance and evaluation

Job description

Job: Strategic Programme Manager - Careers Education

Salary: £54,495 - £59,113

Hours: Full time - 36.25 hours

Contract: Permanent

Location: Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Tootal Building, 54 Oxford Road, Manchester (with a hybrid approach to working location, working across the city region as required).

Advert closing date: Monday 14th September at 11:59pm

Your role - Shaping a careers education system that transforms outcomes for young people!

This is an exciting opportunity to join the GM Careers Hub, Youth, Employment and Opportunities Team within the GMCA Education, Work and Skills Directorate at a pivotal point in our devolution journey. You will play a key role in advancing a dynamic, system-wide Careers Community of Practice and the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate as a driver of technical education reform, delivering the Greater Manchester Strategy's commitment to ensure all young people have a clear line of sight to careers education opportunities, future pathways and good jobs

Your Impact

• Shape and deliver a system-wide careers education ecosystem that improves outcomes for all young people
• Ensure high-quality, inclusive CEIAG is embedded across all phases of education
• Create a clear line of sight from education to employment, supporting progression into good jobs
• Reduce variation and inequalities in access, participation and outcomes
• Embed meaningful youth voice and co-design across system leadership and delivery

What you’ll lead

• A high-performing team and portfolio of strategic programmes aligned to GM priorities
• The development of the GM Careers Hub and Community of Practice as a core system enabler
• Cross-system collaboration and working between education, employers, providers and public partners
• Programme architecture, governance and delivery models across a complex system
• Commissioning, performance and evaluation to ensure measurable system impact

About us

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) brings together the cityregion’s ten councils and key partners including Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) - to deliver the Greater Manchester Strategy. Our shared vision is to create a thriving city region where everyone can live a good life. We work to grow an inclusive economy and ensure people have what they need to live happy, healthy lives, tackling inequalities. Our policy department include Digital, Economy, Education, Work & Skills, Environment, Place Making, Public Service Reform, and Safer & Stronger Communities - who are supported by our essential corporate functions like Finance, Legal & Governance, People Services, Procurement and Communications.

We value the diversity of our employees, and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across Greater Manchester. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people's age, disability, Trans status and Non-binary identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.

To find out more about working for us please click here: https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/

Our offer

In return for your hard work, we offer our employees a competitive package as part of our offer that you can find out more about here: Greater Manchester Combined Authority - Home | greater.jobs

Mandatory Information

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. However, we value human talent and are looking for passionate individuals to join our organisation. Please ensure you personally complete your application and read all the instructions carefully to maximise your chances of success.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting, however we understand that AI may be used as a reasonable adjustment, if using AI to support your application, please give a brief explanation why to help ensure fair selection process.

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Employees on the redeployment register will be given priority for any vacancies in the first instance. If employees are identified as a match from the register then the vacancy may be withdrawn or put on hold pending an outcome.

Right to work & sponsorship

For this opportunity, you must be able to prove you have the right to work in the UK - if in doubt please visit the following link Employers' right to work checklist - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Please note we are not a licensed sponsor.

Hybrid working

This role is part of GMCA's hybrid working scheme. As part of our commitment to Build Back Fairer in Greater Manchester following the Covid-19 pandemic, we have evolved our management methods by trusting and empowering staff to deliver their work in the best way that suits the business and their individual needs, and supports health and wellbeing. Our hybrid working policy sets out a flexible approach, combining attendance at our Manchester city centre office, allocated GM Local Authority office(s), or on site in the community, with remote working, typically from home (within a reasonable commutable distance from Greater Manchester); the location of work is primarily dictated by the needs of the business: 'Do what is right for you and the business on that day'. If appointed to the role you will work with your manager to agree and regularly review the best working pattern for you, your team and your work.

GM Elevate programme

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme within the last two years, please indicate this within the 'About You' or 'Supporting Statement' section of your application?

BASIC DBS

The role holder will be subject to an Basiclevel check by the Disclosure & Barring Service.

Supporting Documents

Strategic Programme Manager RP