Policy and Project Manager, EURO 2028

Job summary

The Major Sporting Projects Delivery Directorate is a directorate within DCMS’ Strategy, Sport and Events Group, which oversees the Government’s input to some of the highest profile programmes in the world of sport. Amongst the projects and programmes covered by the team are:

• The UEFA European Championships 2028 - ensuring the Government delivers on its commitments to ensure that this major event is staged successfully, maximising economic growth and benefiting local communities. This programme is part of the Government Major Projects Portfolio.
• The future pipeline of major sporting events - driving forward the Government's work, with partners, to secure, and successfully host, the world’s biggest and best sporting events.
• Grassroots facilities delivery - overseeing the delivery of hundreds of millions into multi-sport grassroots facilities across the UK, as part of the EURO 2028 impact programme and to tackle inactivity, support health & wellbeing and build cohesive communities through providing access to high quality shared sporting spaces.

The directorate evolved out of a unit within the existing Sport and Gambling Directorate, with which it continues to work seamlessly.

The team prioritises a positive workplace culture, where colleagues are committed to excellence in delivery, ongoing personal development, a supportive working environment, and operating seamlessly with colleagues and stakeholders based across the UK, and beyond.

Job description

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to work on the planning for UK and Ireland hosting the men’s UEFA European Championships in 2028, which will be the largest sporting event that the UK and Ireland have ever jointly hosted. The post holder will manage critical stakeholder relationships to drive forward the planning and delivery of key tournament workstreams.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Build strong, collaborative relationships with key delivery partners both internal and external to government, including UK&I 2028 Ltd (the private company established to coordinate domestic partners' hosting responsibilities), acting as a key interface to facilitate successful delivery and supporting partners to deliver
• Manage policy development and engagement on key issues, driving forward problem-solving to reach effective, collaborative solutions
• Develop and maintain integrated project plans, risk registers, and milestone tracking tools, creating clear frameworks to enable delivery at pace
• Lead cross-government working groups to drive delivery, ensuring strategic direction is aligned, with structured reporting, timely documentation, and clear tracking of action items
• Monitor DCMS funding allocations to operational partners across workstreams, ensuring resources are distributed effectively
• Take a flexible approach to working across the team including leading / supporting other priority policy and event delivery projects across the programme as needed (potentially including areas such as delivery of legislation, C3, testing and readiness)
• Contribute to creating an inclusive, high-performing, and supportive team environment within the Directorate.

Person specification

The ideal candidate would have the following key skills and experience, please note that the desirable skills will only be used in the event of tied candidates.

Essential requirements:

• Proven experience working on major delivery programmes, managing complex projects in fast-moving environments
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills to manage multiple stakeholders and government departments
• Track record of using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to drive forward policy and programme delivery initiatives.
• Experience in designing, supporting, or running governance frameworks and managing project risk/issue registers across multiple workstreams.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with experience drafting high-quality briefs, reports, and governance documentation
• Knowledge of programme and project management techniques and experience of delivering results using these methodologies

Desirable skills:

• Formal Project Management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2, APM, Agile, or Managing Successful Programmes).
• Experience of working on a major event
• Experience of working in a transport and / or security related policy area

We are running an information session where prospective applicants can find out more about the role. This will be hosted by Elinor Clapson, and will take place on: Wednesday 2nd September at 1pm

The session will be an opportunity to hear more about the role, the team and wider directorate and the department. It will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions.

Please register your interest by filling out this Registration form and you will be sent an invitation. Invites will only be sent after this deadline has passed.

Please note that the session will not be recorded and will not focus on the DCMS recruitment process - please direct any queries that you have on this topic (timelines, reasonable adjustments, onboarding etc) to [email removed]

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,065, Department for Culture, Media and Sport contributes £12,475 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

DCMS values its staff and offers a wide range of benefits to everyone who works here. We’re committed to developing talent, and supporting colleagues to have great careers in our department. To support with that, some of the benefits we offer include:

• Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working - DCMS staff work on a flexible basis with time spent in offices, and time spent working from home

• 26.5 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years’ service

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

• Access to the Edenred employee benefits system which offers discounts to popular retailers and access to various useful resources such as financial and savings advice

• 3 days of paid volunteering leave

• Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave

• Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year

• Occupational sick pay

• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme which offers staff 24/7 confidential support and resources such as counselling, debt guidance and management advice

• Active and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, Ethnic Diversity, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality Networks

• Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day to day work

• Season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and much more!

Terms and conditions at SCS grades will vary. Those applying for SCS roles should refer to the candidate information pack for more information on terms