Programme Manager

Your role

This is a brilliant opportunity to lead work that makes a real difference to adults, employers and priority sectors across Greater Manchester. As Programme Manager, you will help shape and deliver adult skills programmes that support residents to retrain, upskill and progress into good work, while responding to the skills needs of key sectors and the wider economy.

You will work with a wide range of partners, including colleagues across GMCA, local authorities, government departments, adult skills providers, further education, employers and sector bodies.

The role is about bringing partners together around shared sector skills priorities, using labour market intelligence and delivery evidence to shape provision, and ensuring commissioned activity responds to both learner need and employer demand.

You will have the chance to influence how adult skills programmes are developed, commissioned and improved, from early policy and programme design through to implementation, performance management and evaluation.

You will support and design clear governance and reporting, help manage delivery risks, and ensure public funding is used to strengthen sector skills pathways, improve access to training and deliver better outcomes for residents, employers and communities.

About you

We are looking for someone who brings strong programme and project management skills, alongside a good understanding of adult skills, commissioning or sector skills development. You should be confident working across policy, funding, provider delivery and employer engagement, with experience of turning strategic priorities into practical programmes and plans.

You will be someone who listens, builds trust and works well with others across complex partnerships. You will be able to take complex information, including adult skills policy, funding rules, labour market evidence, sector requirements and delivery performance, and turn it into clear strategies, commissioning approaches, reports and actions.

You will be confident managing deadlines, spotting risks and keeping partners focused on what needs to happen next.

We value people who care about public service and want their work to improve outcomes for adults, employers and Greater Manchester’s priority sectors. You will bring integrity, curiosity, attention to detail and a commitment to inclusive growth, high-quality provision and practical delivery. You do not need to meet every requirement perfectly.

If you bring relevant experience, a collaborative approach and a commitment to strengthening adult and sector skills provision, we would be pleased to hear from you.

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.

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 licenced 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 Basic level check by the Disclosure & Barring Service.

Supporting Documents

↗ Programme Manager Role Profile