At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead community-led regeneration projects and empower local residents to shape their neighbourhoods.
- Company: Peterborough City Council, committed to community engagement and positive change.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Join a diverse team dedicated to inclusivity and community empowerment.
- Why this job: Be a key player in transforming communities and enhancing local pride.
- Qualifications: Experience in programme management and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Peterborough City Council is recruiting two Programme Managers to lead delivery of Pride in Place, our flagship neighbourhood‑based, community‑led regeneration programme. This is a rare opportunity to play a visible, influential leadership role in shaping tangible improvements to everyday life for residents — while also operating at senior programme level, managing complexity, public funding and high‑profile governance.
About Pride in Place
Pride in Place is a new government funding programme aimed at putting power into the hands of local people in some of the most in‑need neighbourhoods across the UK, so that they can decide how to regenerate their local area. In Peterborough, Pride in Place Neighbourhood Boards will cover Paston, Gunthorpe and Welland, and Orton Malborne and Orton Goldhay, with up to £20 million of funding for each neighbourhood. Each neighbourhood has an independent Board and Chair, supported by the Council as accountable body. The programme focuses on strengthening local pride, opportunity and resilience through community‑defined priorities.
As Programme Manager, your role is to enable — not replace — community leadership, turning ambition into deliverable, well‑governed programmes that achieve real‑world outcomes.
About the role
You will provide named programme leadership for a designated Pride in Place neighbourhood, acting as the single point of accountability for delivery, progress and assurance. Working closely with an independent Neighbourhood Board, you will:
- Translate community priorities into structured, costed programmes and projects.
- Maintain delivery momentum across a complex, multi‑year programme.
- Ensure robust governance, financial control and compliance as required of a local authority accountable body.
- Build confidence, capability and readiness within the Board for increasing community autonomy over time.
This post is offered on an initial fixed – term basis for two years. Pride in Place is a near‑term, place‑based programme with the ambition to transition over time to a more autonomous, community‑led delivery vehicle. Subject to programme phase, funding and governance arrangements, there is potential for this role to extend beyond the initial contract period, including opportunities to support or transition into future community‑led delivery models.
What you'll be responsible for
- Programme leadership & delivery — Lead the place‑based programme end‑to‑end, keeping plans on track, managing risk and dependencies, and overseeing commissioning, grants and contracts to deliver measurable neighbourhood outcomes.
- Community led governance — Enable Neighbourhood Boards to make informed, inclusive decisions by providing clear papers and evidence, facilitating planning and decision‑making sessions, and embedding lived experience and accessibility throughout.
- Accountable body & assurance — Manage circa £2 m p.a. public funding, ensuring compliance, audit‑ready controls, and clear programme, performance and financial reporting.
- Partnership & stakeholder management — Act as the link between communities, the Council and partners, influencing across boundaries to unblock delivery and representing the programme confidently in public, political and community settings.
About you
We're looking for experienced programme leaders who can combine delivery discipline with empathy, influence and community awareness.
- Significant experience leading complex programmes or portfolios, ideally in public sector, partnership or place‑based settings.
- Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including Boards, elected members and communities.
- Confidence managing budgets, public funding and accountability.
- An enabling leadership style that supports others to lead and grow.
- Excellent communication skills — able to translate complexity into clarity.
Experience of community‑led regeneration, neighbourhood governance, grant funding or VCSE partnership working is an advantage, but we value transferable programme leadership skills and mindset above sector‑specific experience.
Interested? For an informal conversation about the role, Pride in Place or working at Peterborough City Council, please contact Emma Middleton, Service Manager for System Improvement, Adult Social Care: emmal.middleton@peterborough.gov.uk. The closing date to apply is Sunday 14 June, with interviews taking place in‑person at Sand Martin House on 29 and 30 June.
Our Commitments
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to fostering diversity, advancing equity, and building an inclusive workplace for everyone. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and particularly encourage those from underrepresented groups, including disabled people, care leavers, and individuals from minority ethnic communities. Your unique perspectives and experiences are encouraged and valued and will play a vital role in our success. We are committed to making our recruitment process as accessible as possible. If you are a person who has or considers yourself to have a disability and you require reasonable adjustments to the application or interview process, please contact pccrecruitment@peterborough.gov.uk.
Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service. The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. If you've already applied and completed the recruitment process for this position within the last three months, there's no need to reapply. We really appreciate your interest and thank you for considering us.
Programme Manager in Peterborough employer: Peterborough First group
Peterborough City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead the transformative Pride in Place programme, which empowers local communities to shape their neighbourhoods. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that values collaboration and community engagement, alongside opportunities for professional growth within a dynamic public sector environment. Working in Peterborough not only allows you to make a tangible impact on residents' lives but also provides a chance to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to fostering local pride and resilience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Manager in Peterborough
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the community! Before your interview, spend some time researching the neighbourhoods involved in the Pride in Place programme. Understanding local issues and priorities will help you connect with the Neighbourhood Boards and show that you're genuinely invested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your storytelling skills! When discussing your experience, focus on specific examples where you've led complex programmes or worked with diverse stakeholders. We want to hear how you turned challenges into successes, so be ready to share those stories!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership style! During the interview, highlight how you empower others and foster collaboration. The role is all about enabling community leadership, so demonstrate how you've supported teams or communities in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare thoughtful questions about the programme and its goals. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the role aligns with your values. Plus, it’s a great way to engage with the interviewers and leave a lasting impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Manager in Peterborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know the Programme Inside Out:Before you start writing, make sure you understand the Pride in Place programme. Familiarise yourself with its goals and how it impacts the community. This will help you tailor your application to show how you can contribute effectively.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Programme Manager, your leadership style is crucial. Use your application to highlight past experiences where you've successfully led complex programmes or teams. Make it clear how you enable others to lead and grow.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key. Avoid jargon and keep your language straightforward. Remember, you need to translate complexity into clarity, so make sure your application reflects that skill.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it makes the process smoother for both you and us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Peterborough First group
✨Know the Programme Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Pride in Place programme. Familiarise yourself with its goals, the communities it serves, and how it aims to empower local residents. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and ability to lead effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Programme Manager, your leadership style is crucial. Be prepared to discuss how you enable others to lead and grow, especially in community settings. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed complex programmes while fostering collaboration and inclusivity.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Scenarios
Expect questions about managing diverse stakeholders and navigating complex relationships. Think of scenarios where you've influenced decision-making or resolved conflicts. Highlight your communication skills and ability to translate complexity into clarity, as this is key for the role.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Since you'll be managing public funding, be ready to discuss your experience with budgets and financial controls. Prepare to explain how you've ensured compliance and accountability in previous roles, as this will show your readiness to handle the financial aspects of the programme.
