At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team managing impactful projects in transport, skills, and regeneration.
- Company: Join the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, driving innovation and community growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, generous holidays, and free travel across the city region.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and strong analytical skills are essential.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to fairness and equality.
The predicted salary is between 49300 - 61700 £ per year.
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is committed to investing in and delivering a wide range of projects and programmes that will help to make our region the best place to grow up, grow a family, and grow a business. As a Lead Officer in the Portfolio Management Office, you’ll lead a team supporting a portfolio of projects and programmes covering Transport, Employment and Skills, Regeneration, Net Zero and Housing. Reporting to the Senior Assurance Contracts Manager, you’ll oversee a diverse range of high-profile and large-scale projects and programmes for a wide range of funding streams, providing advice and support to project sponsors, monitoring performance to ensure that project delivery remains on track. You will support projects to ensure that any outputs and outcomes that will benefit the City Region are realised and funding conditions are adhered to. This is a strategic role that blends technical expertise with leadership, compliance, and continuous improvement across all projects and programmes.
We are seeking to establish a talent pool of Lead Officers from which we can recruit over a period of 12 months. We have three positions available now: a combination of permanent and 2 year fixed-term, which we are seeking to recruit to immediately, with more posts coming on stream as the year progresses. If you are successful, we will make offers of employment for the initial post in Spring 2026 and we will then approach other successful candidates in the Talent Pool over the next 12 months with offers of employment, as and when further projects receive approval to proceed.
We’re seeking a proactive, detail-oriented professional with a strong background in project and programme management and assurance. Experienced in grant funding environments and leading teams, you combine analytical skills with strategic thinking to ensure contracted outcomes are realised. You thrive in collaborative environments, engaging confidently with stakeholders and promoting best practices and continuous improvement. We value people who are committed to delivering excellence, who take pride in providing outstanding service, and who champion fairness and equality in everything they do. If you’re passionate about supporting projects and programmes that will create a fairer, stronger, and cleaner city region, this is a place we can all be proud of, where no one is left behind.
If you think you match the job description, and our values, then click on the link to apply. Please ensure that you provide clear examples and evidence in your application of how you meet the below key essential criteria. The information you provide in your application will be used for shortlisting.
- Essential Criteria
- Extensive experience in project and programme governance, including performance management, project controls and risk management
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Effective leadership and team management skills
Please highlight how you meet the remaining essential criteria outlined in the person specification within your CV. Interviews to take place week commencing 9 February 2026.
The Liverpool City Region is world-famous for its history, culture and creativity. A place of firsts, it is the birthplace of modern railways, public health and international trade. Our economy is being transformed by innovation in health and life sciences, digital and creative industries, and advanced manufacturing, contributing to an economy worth £35 billion a year. The Combined Authority drives funding and devolved powers to create wealth and prosperity for all our 1.6 million residents and the wider UK.
Staff Benefits
- Local Government Pension Scheme contributions between 5.5% and 12.5%
- Generous holiday entitlement of 29 days rising to 34 days after 5 years of service, plus bank holidays and the option to buy 10 additional days
- Free travel around Liverpool City Region with an All-Zone Metro card worth £1,450 per year plus All Zones Off Peak Trio ticket for your partner
- Flexible and hybrid working
- 24/7 access to Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family and free counselling service
- Automatic enrolment to our Westfield Health Programme
- Corporate discounts at council-owned gyms
- Bike to Work Scheme
- Coaching, mentoring, apprenticeships, and professional qualifications including paid membership fees and a £1k learning loan for non-job-related learning
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who have declared that they have a disability, are from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background, are a member of a reservist, or have close family links to a member of the Armed Forces, as we are under-represented by people from these communities. To be considered under one of these schemes, indicate eligibility in the application form and clearly demonstrate how you meet the key essential criteria. Applications that do not include this evidence will not be considered under the guaranteed interview schemes. The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
Sponsorship
We actively promote diversity and inclusion. This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. We recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position.
How to Apply
Please apply online via the link provided. CV applications will only be accepted alongside a completed personal and monitoring information online application form.
Lead Officer (Portfolio Management Office) employer: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Contact Detail:
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Officer (Portfolio Management Office)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the organisation and its projects thoroughly. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around project management and governance. Practise common interview questions and think of examples that showcase your leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Mention something specific from the interview to make it personal and memorable.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in project and programme management, and don’t skimp on those examples that demonstrate your analytical and problem-solving skills.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Officer (Portfolio Management Office)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Experience: When you're filling out your application, make sure to highlight your extensive experience in project and programme governance. Use specific examples that demonstrate your performance management and risk management skills – we want to see how you've tackled challenges in the past!
Be Analytical: We love a good problem-solver! In your application, showcase your strong analytical skills by providing clear examples of how you've approached complex issues. This will help us understand your thought process and how you can contribute to our team.
Leadership Matters: As a Lead Officer, effective leadership is key. Make sure to include details about your team management experience. Share stories that illustrate how you've led teams to success and fostered collaboration – we’re all about teamwork here at StudySmarter!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t forget to tailor your application to match our values and the job description. Use the language from the job posting and ensure you provide clear evidence of how you meet the essential criteria. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance of success!
How to prepare for a job interview at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the projects and programmes that the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is involved in. Familiarise yourself with their goals, challenges, and successes. This will not only show your genuine interest but also allow you to discuss how your experience aligns with their strategic objectives.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Officer, you'll need to demonstrate effective leadership and team management skills. Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project. Highlight how you motivated your team, resolved conflicts, and ensured project delivery on time.
✨Be Ready for Analytical Questions
Expect questions that assess your analytical and problem-solving skills. Brush up on common project governance scenarios and think about how you would approach risk management and performance monitoring. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Values
The authority values fairness, equality, and outstanding service. Be prepared to discuss how you embody these values in your work. Share examples of how you've championed diversity and inclusion in your previous roles, and how you plan to continue doing so in this position.