Programme manager jobs in Manchester, greater manchester

Future First is looking for a passionate and organised Programmes & Partnerships Manager to lead the delivery of key partnership programmes that help state school students build confidence, motivation and career aspirations through alumni networks.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a mission-driven charity working to ensure every state school and college is supported by a thriving alumni community. You’ll work closely with senior leaders, funders and partners to manage projects, strengthen strategic relationships and help shape the future of our programmes.

We’re looking for someone with strong project and stakeholder management experience, excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach. You’ll also line manage our Corporate Partnerships Executive and play a key role in driving programme quality, learning and impact across the organisation.

About us Future

First wants to see every state school and college in the UK, and every state pupil, supported by a thriving and engaged alumni community, which improves students’ motivation, confidence and life chances. We have a network of alumni who have supported our programmes in schools for over a decade. They act as accessible and inspirational role models by sharing their stories through a variety of activities, including blogging, online mentoring, networking and careers activities in our member schools. We manage these relationships through our Future First Hub – a safe, social media style interface that allows schools to build and manage every aspect of their network in one place.

About the role

The role of the Programme & Partnerships Manager is to lead and coordinate the planning, delivery, management and monitoring of Future First’s key partnership programmes. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with demonstrable experience in project management, excellent partnership and stakeholder engagement at all levels, and committed to Future First’s aims and values. 

Application process 

To help you prepare the strongest possible application, we are hosting an information and Q&A session about the role on Tuesday 9 June 2026 at 12 noon. This is an optional session where you can hear more about the role and ask any questions you may have. If you would like to join this session, please see the attached job pack for how to register your interest. 

Applications must be submitted by Monday 15 June at 12 noon. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. There will be two rounds of interview, initially via Zoom (week commencing 22 June) and for those short-listed, in-person in London (week commencing 29 June).

Future First is committed to safeguarding the staff, volunteers and young people we work with. Where applicable, a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check will be required for the successful candidate.

Programme Manager

We are seeking experienced Programme Managers to help deliver large scale transformation programmes that improve services, systems and customer experience across a major UK housing organisation.

Position: Programme Manager
Location: London, Stratford or Manchester, Trafford with hybrid working
Salary: Starting from £65,913 per annum London weighting or £57,900 per annum regional salary, depending on experience
Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week
Contract: Permanent and Fixed Term Contract available until 15 August 2027
Closing Date: 31 May 2026 at 23:00
Interviews: First stage online interviews 8 to 10 June 2026, followed by second stage interviews 22 to 24 June 2026

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for experienced Programme Managers to join a growing transformation delivery team within one of the UK’s largest housing organisations.

The organisation is undergoing a major transformation programme designed to improve services for residents and customers through new operating models, improved processes, technology enhancements and better use of data.

As Programme Manager, you will lead large and complex programmes from inception through to implementation, ensuring projects are effectively governed, well managed and aligned to strategic objectives.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading large scale transformation programmes and projects end to end
• Managing programme governance, reporting, risks, budgets and business cases
• Developing delivery plans with clear scope, milestones and outcomes
• Working closely with stakeholders across operations, technology, data and service design teams
• Supporting organisational change and embedding new ways of working
• Managing dependencies, priorities and programme performance across multiple workstreams
• Providing clear communication and transparent decision making throughout programme delivery

About You

To succeed in this role, you will bring strong programme leadership experience alongside excellent stakeholder management and delivery skills.

You will ideally have:

• Proven experience delivering complex programmes or transformation projects
• Experience establishing project structures, governance and reporting frameworks
• Strong understanding of business case development, budgeting and benefits realisation
• Experience managing senior stakeholders and supporting organisational change
• Ability to work across operational, technical and customer focused teams
• Excellent communication, planning and problem solving skills
• Experience balancing user needs, operational requirements and technical constraints

About the Organisation

This organisation is one of the UK’s leading housing associations and developers, providing homes for over 250,000 people across London, the South East and the North West of England.

They are committed to creating high quality homes and services that help people live better lives. Diversity, inclusion and sustainability are central to their culture and long term vision, alongside a strong commitment to fair and accessible recruitment practices.

Benefits include an excellent pension scheme, generous annual leave, health cash plan, life assurance, volunteering days, employee assistance programme and a wide range of lifestyle benefits.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Senior Programme Manager, Transformation Manager, Change Manager, Project Director, Delivery Lead, Business Change Manager, PMO Lead, Transformation Programme Lead, Strategic Programme Manager, Digital Transformation Manager.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.

Location: Home based- Please note that while the role is primarily remote, candidates must be based in the UK due to periodic travel requirements, including attendance at conferences and other in-person meetings. 

Hours: Part time - 18 hours 

Terms: One-year fixed term contract (with a possibility of extending the role funding allowing)

Salary: FTE £24,750 (actual £11,880)

Pension: NEST Scheme 

Annual Leave: 28 days pro rata (inclusive of bank holidays) 

Normal working week: 37.5 hours 

What we can offer you: 

• Flexible, remote working from home. 

• A positive and friendly staff culture. 

• Annual in-person meet-ups as a team. 

• Laptop and Phone as required. 

• Option to discuss and set your own regular working hours. 

• The opportunity to make a difference to a growing charity and a large, engaged 

community.

• Organisation wide shut down at Christmas in addition to your holiday entitlement 

ABOUT US

PANS and PANDAS are complex neuro-psychiatric conditions which are frequently 

misunderstood and misdiagnosed. PANS PANDAS UK are the only charity in the UK 

working to improve outcomes and ensure brighter futures for people affected by PANS and PANDAS. 

We provide support and information to families, and work tirelessly to inform medical 

practice, raise awareness, engage with medical, social work and educational 

professionals, and much more. 

We are a small team based at home in various UK locations. We keep in touch frequently online and have a warm, supportive and positive culture. 

OVERALL PURPOSE 

The Education Training Development Manager will lead the operational development, and delivery of the national education training programme, ensuring it aligns with organisational priorities and emerging national guidance. The role is responsible for the coordination, growth and quality assurance of PANS PANDAS UK’s national CPD training offer for teachers and educational psychologists (EPs), supporting the development and delivery of high‑quality training modules and strengthening partnerships.

The role reports to and works in close collaboration with the PANS PANDAS UK Education Lead, who retains overall ownership, strategic responsibility and final decision‑making authority for the training programme and the wider education strategy.

Central to this role is working collaboratively with the PANS and PANDAS community and the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) to ensure all training is informed by lived experience.

Key Responsibilities

Programme & Content Development

• Jointly review, update and refine existing CPD materials with the Education Lead, informed by national guidance and emerging research, with the Education Lead holding overall responsibility
• Support development of new training modules and associated materials.
• Explore future delivery models to expand national reach and scalability.
• Identify opportunities for integration of PANS or PANDAS training/materials within University/Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and other relevant programmes.
• Work collaboratively with the PANS PANDAS community and Youth Advisory Board (YAB) to ensure training reflects lived experience.

Trainer Recruitment & Capacity Building

• Recruit and induct additional trainers.
• Support trainer development.
• Maintain consistent quality standards.
• Deliver priority or pilot training sessions when needed to help support programme growth and maintain delivery capacity.

Strategic Programme Oversight

• Provide leadership and direction for the development and delivery of the national education training programme within the strategic framework set by the Education Lead.
• Ensure training content and delivery models align with organisational priorities and upcoming national guidance.
• Lead long-term programme planning, sustainability and continuous improvement.

Partnership Development & Sector Engagement

• Build relationships with MATs, LAs, Universities and other national relevant organisations.
• Work with the charity Communications and Engagement Officer to promote the training models across social media and education networks.
• Attend and present at education sector events and networks to raise awareness of training opportunities.

Commissioning & Income Support

• Develop commissioning packages tailored to MATs, LA’s and other relevant organisations.
• Support pricing structures.
• Identify sustainable income opportunities for the charity via the training.

Quality Assurance & Evaluation

• Oversee monitoring and evaluation processes.
• Prepare reports for the charity as required.

Operational Coordination

• Coordinate scheduling, setup and delivery logistics for all training sessions.
• Manage bookings, confirmations, resource distribution, attendance recording and data collection
• Lead regular training team meetings to support planning and quality assurance.
• Support management and storage of training assets.
• Maintain regular communication with the Education Lead.

Working Environment & Culture

• Remote and flexible working within a digitally enabled national team.
• Supportive work–life balance, flexible leave arrangements and an organisational shutdown during part of December.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, with lived experience valued.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Relevant qualifications (teaching, SEND, adult learning, training design, project management).
• Ability to set priorities and align training with national guidance.
• Experience shaping or influencing SEND practice or programme development within an education context.
• Relationship building skills within the education sector.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of the UK education sector.
• Familiarity with digital learning platforms.
• Willingness to gain an in depth understanding of PANS or PANDAS.
• Ability to work sensitively and confidently with the PANS and PANDAS community, including the YAB, creating safe and inclusive spaces.

Desirable

• Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience
• Experience contributing to strategic planning within education, a charity or Local Authority.
• Experience with CPD
• Experience leading multiagency or cross sector initiatives.
• Lived experience of PANS and PANDAS