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:
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