Programme Manager - Youth Employment Opportunities
Salary: £49,282 - £53,460
Hours: Full time, 36.25 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Tootal Building, Manchester, with a hybrid approach to working and travel across Greater Manchester as required.
Closing date:Sunday 6th September
Your role: Helping shape the future of youth employment in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is leading the way nationally in developing a devolved approach to education, skills and employment. We are looking for an ambitious and experienced Programme Manager to join our Youth Employment Opportunities team at a pivotal moment for the city region.
This role will play a leading role in shaping and delivering Greater Manchester's response to emerging national reforms, including the recommendations of the Milburn Review, while driving forward our ambition that every young person has a pathway into education, employment or training.
You will lead strategic programmes that improve opportunities for young people aged 16-24, strengthen employer engagement and create clearer routes into work. Alongside a focus on establishing NEET prevention as part of our Live Well Journey to Employment, a key priority will be the development of Greater Manchester's Apprenticeship Brokerage Model, helping employers navigate the apprenticeship system and connecting more young people to high-quality opportunities.
Working across education, employment, local government, employers and the voluntary sector, you will help build a more joined-up system that improves participation, progression and access to good work for all young people.
Your impact
You will:
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Help to shape Greater Manchester's strategic response to national youth employment and skills reform.
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Develop and deliver programmes that improve participation, progression and employment outcomes for young people aged 16-24.
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Co-ordinate the implementation of a Greater Manchester Apprenticeship Brokerage Model that supports employers and creates more apprenticeship opportunities for young people.
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Strengthen the connection between education, skills and employment, creating clearer pathways into good jobs.
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Reduce inequalities in access to opportunities for young people facing the greatest barriers.
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Embed youth voice and co-design into policy development, programme design and system leadership.
What you'll lead
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Strategic programmes and partnerships focused on youth employment, inclusion and employer engagement.
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The development of new approaches that connect employers, providers and young people more effectively.
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High-profile programmes including apprenticeship growth, employer brokerage and youth participation initiatives.
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Cross-system collaboration with local authorities, DWP, DfE, employers, providers and wider partners.
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Programme governance, commissioning, performance management and evaluation to ensure measurable impact.
About you
You are a credible programme manager with a clear vision for outstanding, inclusive youth employment provision. You can provide programme oversight and drive delivery at pace, ensuring programmes translate into measurable improvements in outcomes for all young people across Greater Manchester. You will bring:
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The ability to translate strategy into clear delivery models and measurable outcomes
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A strong understanding of equality, inclusion and reducing inequalities
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Experience of programme delivery, commissioning and performance oversight
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A clear commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people
Why join us:
Greater Manchester is leading the way nationally in devolution. In careers education, we are building a coherent, system-wide approach. Through the GM Careers Hub, the MBacc, and the Live Well Journey to Employment, we are aligning education, work and opportunity to deliver a system that is inclusive, ambitious and impactful for all young people.
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Lead system change at scale in one of the UK’s most advanced devolved city regions
- Shape the future of careers education at the forefront of national policy and delivery
- Be part of a city-region backed by the Greater Manchester Strategy, driving inclusive growth and opportunity
- Deliver meaningful impact improving outcomes, progression and access for all young people
Additional information:
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and will require basic DBS check. You will be expected to uphold GMCA’s values and behaviours, maintain confidentiality, and contribute to inclusive and sustainable service delivery.
