Programme Manager

Job summary

Can you lead the successful delivery of complex transport, active travel, local authority or construction programmes?

Have you delivered inclusive projects or consultations that meet the needs of diverse communities and turn policy into practical outcomes?

Are you a collaborative leader who can develop high-performing teams and communicate complex issues clearly and effectively?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

We are a passionate and supportive team that values innovation, inclusion and continuous improvement. By combining strong project and programme management with effective governance, risk management and stakeholder engagement, we help deliver positive outcomes for communities across the country. We are committed to fostering a culture where people can develop, contribute and thrive, while ensuring the needs of different communities are considered at every stage of project development and delivery.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at ATE:

Active Travel England roles: ATE – Careers , Civil Service Careers

Job description

Active Travel England is the government agency responsible for making walking, wheeling and cycling safer and more accessible across England. Working closely with the Department for Transport, local authorities and national partners, we support the delivery of active travel infrastructure through expert advice, funding and policy leadership. This is an exciting opportunity to lead high-profile projects, influence national priorities and help shape the future delivery of active travel at scale.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

• Lead the planning and delivery of programmes and projects, establishing clear scopes, plans and governance frameworks.
• Develop business cases with project leads, subject matter experts and cross-agency partners.
• Build and manage effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify, manage and escalate risks and issues, driving solutions where needed.
• Ensure projects deliver strategic benefits through effective governance, assurance, contract and grant management.
• Monitor programme performance, resources, timelines and delivery outcomes.
• Communicate programme objectives, progress and priorities to stakeholders and internal forums.
• Collaborate with senior leaders to manage dependencies across ATE, DfT and partner organisations.
• Use data and digital tools to support decision-making, performance management and delivery.
• Embed equality, inclusion, environmental and social value considerations throughout programme design and delivery.

Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills set out in the Civil Service Line Management Standards.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile.Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Project or programme management qualification, or equivalent experience.
• Good understanding of local transport planning and delivery.
• Working knowledge of street design standards and active travel infrastructure and/or behaviour change initiatives that support active travel.
• Skilled in programme management, governance, contracting and/or grant management.
• Ability to interpret policy and translate it into practical delivery.
• Experience leading teams, developing colleagues and building strong relationships.
• Strong communication skills with a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Additional Information

The successful candidate must either hold or be willing to work towards the Government Project Delivery Accreditation once in role

This post is offered on a Fixed Term Appointment (FTA) basis to complete a finite piece of work.

Permanent Civil Servants will be appointed on an inward loan and subject to the terms of the agreed inward loan. You must have your home departments approval to return to them at the end of the loan before you apply. Internal candidates will return to their previous post at the end of the loan period, which will need to be agreed with your line manager in advance. If your home department cannot agree to release you on loan, there is the opportunity for you to move across to the department on a fixed term appointment. In this instance the Department for Transport would become your home department and if there is no role available for you at the end of this appointment, you would be subject to the redeployment and redundancy process.

If you're employed by a non-departmental public body (NDPB) by moving jobs this will involve a change of employer and you may break the statutory rules on continuity of employment.

There could be the potential of extension up to 2 years or permanency, subject to the role being available (and for those coming across on loan, your home departments agreement)

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 35 hours per week.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

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