Programme Lead - Making Manchester Fairer

About The Role

Working Hours: 35 Hours per Week

Contract Type: Permanent, Full‑time

Closing Date: 29 January 2026

Closing time: 11.59pm

Interview Method: Face to Face

This Role is Subject to:

• Legal right to work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.
• 2 References: where possible we require 3 years of history.

Proven experience of successfully managing and delivering a wide range of complex projects within a diverse workload to a structured project management process such as PRINCE 2 or equivalent.

Here at Manchester City Council, we are committed to tackling the unfair inequalities in health between different communities. Making Manchester Fairer (MMF) aims to address the difference in good health by taking action on the root causes of poor health, in areas such as education, housing, employment and transport. Making Manchester Fairer looks at the eight themes that impact on health inequalities. One of the most significant themes is to reduce poverty and debt, which is a major driver of poor health, and for this reason the Anti‑Poverty Strategy for Manchester is an integral programme to the work of MMF. MMF also specifically looks at how we tackle racism as a significant factor in people’s health and life chances, and how we involve local people and communities in the MMF approach and programme.

Manchester City Council is committed to tackling ageism, as well as promoting the importance of ageing well and the skills and contributions of older people.

Working within Public Health and in collaboration with colleagues across the organisation, the role‑holder will provide strong governance and project management support to ensure the implementation of the Making Manchester Fairer Action Plan.

About the Candidate

We are looking for someone who:

• Is highly organised with excellent programme and project management skills.
• Has the ability to translate strategic vision into impactful programmes and projects.
• Has a strong understanding of programme governance and experience delivering programmes with robust governance structures.
• Has a strong understanding of health inequalities, equalities, diversity, and inclusion.
• Has experience working in political environments and on high‑profile programmes.
• Is skilled in stakeholder engagement and partnership working.

We welcome and encourage job applications from all walks of life – from different backgrounds, nationalities, ages and experience of work. We want to attract people from ethnically diverse communities and disabled people, who are currently under‑represented in our workforce.

Benefits we offer:

• Generous holiday allowance – Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
• A buzzing pension – You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three‑times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave – Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new‑born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks – Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle‑to‑work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow – We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
• A Good Employment Charter member – We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognise three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave – Give back to the community with three days pro‑rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments – Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats – Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text‑to‑speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panel’s minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long‑term condition

When You Join Us

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability‑friendly.

What we will need from you if you’re successful:

• In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.
• Pre‑Employment Checks – If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre‑employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:

• Proof of Right to Work – You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK.
• References – We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.

Other relevant information

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.