Programme Officer in Chesterfield

Directorate: Strategy and Inclusive Growth

Contract: Permanent

About the Role

We are seeking two Programme Officers to join our Strategy and Inclusive Growth Directorate and support the delivery of major programmes that drive economic growth and investment across the East Midlands.

These are exciting opportunities to contribute to high-profile programmes that support regional prosperity, innovation and inclusive growth. While the roles share a common Programme Officer remit, each position will focus on a distinct programme area:

Available Roles

Supporting the delivery and management of EMCCA's wider investment portfolio, ensuring investment activity contributes to the outcomes set out within the Strategic Framework and regional priorities.

Supporting the delivery of the East Midlands Investment Zone programme, including coordination across strategic sites, stakeholders and partners, and contributing to the successful delivery of a £160 million programme designed to drive economic growth and innovation.

Applicants may indicate if they have a preference for one of the roles, although all applications will be considered across both opportunities.

Job Purpose

As a Programme Officer, you will play a key role in supporting the planning, coordination and delivery of complex programmes and projects. You will contribute to programme management activities, governance processes, stakeholder engagement, performance monitoring and communications, ensuring programmes are delivered effectively and achieve their intended outcomes.

Working closely with colleagues across EMCCA, local authorities, government departments, private sector partners and other stakeholders, you will help ensure robust programme management practices are embedded and that projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the required standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Programme Leads in planning, developing and delivering projects and workstreams of varying size and complexity.
• Coordinate governance arrangements, including meetings, agendas, reports, actions and decision‑making processes.
• Develop and maintain project plans, risk registers, issue logs and reporting mechanisms.
• Support contract management, procurement and financial monitoring activities.
• Monitor project progress against agreed objectives, milestones, budgets and quality standards.
• Produce and maintain project documentation to evidence outputs, outcomes and benefits realisation.
• Support business change and process improvement activities, including stakeholder engagement and process mapping.
• Contribute to the preparation of programme documentation, government submissions and performance reports.
• Gather, analyse and interpret information from project leads and stakeholders to support decision‑making and programme reporting.
• Work with Communications and External Affairs colleagues to support programme promotion, stakeholder engagement and public communications.
• Ensure communications activities align with organisational and government branding requirements.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support successful programme delivery.
• Support cross‑organizational collaboration and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Role‑Specific Focus Areas

The postholder will support the delivery and coordination of EMCCA's investment portfolio, helping to ensure investment activity aligns with strategic priorities and delivers economic outcomes across the region.

The postholder will support the delivery of the East Midlands Investment Zone programme, working with local authorities, sector partners and government stakeholders to coordinate activity across the Investment Zone's strategic sites and associated projects.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for highly organised and proactive individuals who can work effectively in a fast‑paced environment, supporting multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously.

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to plan, coordinate and manage a wide range of activities effectively.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, competing deadlines and workloads while maintaining a high standard of accuracy and delivery.
• Experience supporting projects through the full project lifecycle, from initiation to closure.
• Strong project management and planning skills with knowledge of recognised methodologies and approaches.
• Excellent analytical and financial skills, with the ability to interpret complex information and provide clear recommendations.
• Experience working to tight deadlines across multiple priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to build productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience in a transferable role.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience working within a Local Authority, Combined Authority or similar public sector environment.
• Experience in project or programme delivery within economic development, investment, regeneration or related sectors.
• Understanding of economic development, investment, regeneration or similar programmes.
• Evidence of progressive career development.

Our Values

Lifting Our Region

Championing outcomes that benefit people, businesses and places across the East Midlands.

Working Together

Building strong partnerships and bringing diverse stakeholders together to achieve shared goals.

Making an Impact

Turning ideas into action and delivering meaningful change.

Valuing different perspectives and building authentic relationships.

Our Mission

To deliver long‑term systemic impact for the people, businesses and places of the East Midlands.

Our Vision

To make our region more prosperous, sustainable and fairer, helping people and businesses create and seize opportunities through systems leadership and partnership working.