Programme Officer

About Us

We are the national body for careers education in England, delivering support to schools and colleges to deliver modern, 21st century careers education.

The Careers & Enterprise Company is a great place to work. We operate within a fast-paced and collaborative environment. We are brought together by one thing: our passion to ensure young people get the best possible start in life and are supported to find their best next step.

Do you want to be part of a mission-driven team focused on transforming young people’s lives? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

Role Summary

The Programme officer role is a key component of a CEC wide initiative to ensure that national objectives and strategies are aligned across the business and implemented effectively and consistently across our Career Hubs infrastructure.

A key priority for this role will be supporting CEC’s and the government’s ambition for a new work experience guarantee to ensure that all pupils participate in 2 weeks’ worth of work experience by the time they leave year 11. The role will support specific programmes, pilots and activities that will be rolled out across Careers Hubs.

This role will play a key part in supporting the implementation of the programmatic strategy for Work Experience as well as other strands of work. It will support in helping to translate national initiatives and policy aligned with our strategic priorities into operational programmes delivered through our Network of Career Hubs. Priorities and programmes may change and flex over time but work experience will remain a priority theme.

To be successful in this role you will need to be a natural collaborator, a strong communicator and have strong organizational skills, and some function knowledge of our priorities.

The role will also contribute towards the wider success of the Network and Employers team supporting colleagues and areas outside of the designated area as required.

Within this role we would also offer a development opportunity for post holders not currently qualified in project management. Such employees would be offered the Associate project manager (level 4) apprenticeship, which is an 18-month development programme. This would be fully funded and paid for by CEC, you would be able to complete the qualification while in post in the Programme Officer role and you would also be given the appropriate release time each week for activities and tasks specifically related to gaining the qualification.

Our organisation has a privileged opportunity to make a difference to the lives of millions of young people, helping to inspire and prepare them for the fast-changing world of work, and we want you to help us make it happen.

To apply, please visit our website via the apply button, complete the application form and cover letter and upload an anonymised version of your CV.

Please describe in your cover letter:

• How do you meet the experience, skills and competency criteria detailed in the job profile?  
• Why would you like to work for Careers and Enterprise Company? 
• Please outline your interest in and commitment to completing the Associate Project Manager (Level 4) Apprenticeship, as part of this role. Alternatively, please outline any similar qualification that you hold.

Closing date: Midnight on 24th November 2025.

It is our policy to review all applications within two weeks from the closing date. If you do not hear from us within three weeks following the closing date, then your application has unfortunately not been successful on this occasion. We are unable to provide feedback to candidates who have not been shortlisted and attended an interview.