At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Sheppey East Neighbourhood Board and manage a ÂŁ20m investment plan.
- Company: Swale Borough Council, a progressive local authority in Kent.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, generous holidays, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree educated with project management experience and strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on meaningful, long-lasting community improvements.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 ÂŁ per year.
We are seeking an innovative and highly organised Programme Manager (Pride in Place) to play a pivotal role in establishing and supporting the new Sheppey East Neighbourhood Board, helping shape a long‑term vision and Investment Plan for £20m of central government funding. In this new and unique role you will work collaboratively with residents, partners, councillors, officers and central government representatives, including close work with the area's MP, to turn community priorities into practical, impactful actions. The role involves analysing local and national data, developing well‑evidenced recommendations, and producing accessible materials that support effective decision‑making. You will lead the coordination and delivery of the Investment Plan—managing contractors and consultants, overseeing performance metrics, monitoring risks and finances, and ensuring timely reporting to the Board, Council and government. You will also support communications and engagement activity, working closely with the Community Engagement Officer to keep residents at the heart of the programme.
Responsibilities
- Establish and support the Sheppey East Neighbourhood Board.
- Shape a long‑term vision and Investment Plan for £20m of central government funding.
- Analyse local and national data to produce well‑evidenced recommendations.
- Produce accessible materials that support effective decision‑making.
- Coordinate and deliver the Investment Plan, managing contractors and consultants.
- Oversee performance metrics, monitor risks and finances.
- Ensure timely reporting to the Board, Council and government.
- Support communications and engagement activity with the Community Engagement Officer.
- Work closely with residents, partners, councillors, officers and central government representatives, including the MP.
Qualifications
- Degree educated (or equivalent).
- Experience in managing faceted projects within time and budget constraints.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to turn data and community insight into clear, practical plans.
- Excellent relationship‑building and communication skills.
- Proactive, solutions‑focused with an understanding of project delivery in a local government or public funding environment.
- Motivated by place‑based change and a desire to deliver meaningful, long‑lasting improvements for the community.
Contract Details
- This role is full‑time, working 34 hours per week on a fixed‑term contract for a period of 12 months.
- The role offers the benefit of hybrid working, combining homeworking with an average office attendance of two days per week.
- You will also need to be able to work occasional evenings and weekends to accommodate Board requirements, and to travel to Sheppey East on a regular basis as required.
Benefits
- 34‑hour full‑time working week with the offices closing at 1:30pm on Friday.
- Highly flexible hybrid working opportunities.
- 7am to 7pm flexi time to suit personal circumstances for most roles.
- Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years of LG service plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave.
- Additional 3 days leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New Year.
- Free parking.
- Range of flexible working opportunities to accommodate people’s home/work life balance including compressed hours, 9‑day fortnight, part time.
- Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities.
- Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors.
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family.
- Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS).
- Season Ticket Loan – to help with the cost of your rail/bus journey to/from work.
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand‑new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
- Annual flu vaccine.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping.
- Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals.
- A professional fee payment, if required for the role.
Programme Manager (Pride in Place) in Sittingbourne employer: Swale Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Swale Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Manager (Pride in Place) in Sittingbourne
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in your field. Attend local events, join relevant online groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its projects. Understand their goals and challenges, especially around community engagement and funding. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on articulating your experience in managing projects and working collaboratively, as these are key for the Programme Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. So, go ahead and submit your application today!
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Manager (Pride in Place) in Sittingbourne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Programme Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing projects, especially those related to community engagement and local government funding. We want to see how your skills align with our vision!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves analysing data and making evidence-based recommendations, be sure to include examples of how you've successfully used data in past projects. We love seeing how you can turn numbers into actionable insights!
Emphasise Collaboration: This position requires working closely with various stakeholders, so share your experiences in building relationships and collaborating with different groups. We’re all about teamwork here at StudySmarter, and we want to know how you fit into that!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Swale Borough Council
✨Know Your Community
Before the interview, dive deep into the local community issues and priorities. Understand the needs of Sheppey East residents and be ready to discuss how you can address them through the Investment Plan. This shows your commitment and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare examples of how you've used data to inform decisions in past projects. Be ready to explain how you can turn local and national data into actionable recommendations. This will highlight your strong analytical skills, which are crucial for this position.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration
This role involves working with various stakeholders, so come prepared with examples of successful collaborations. Discuss how you've built relationships with partners, councillors, or community members in previous roles, showcasing your excellent communication skills.
✨Be Solutions-Focused
Think of potential challenges that might arise in managing the Investment Plan and prepare solutions. Showing that you're proactive and solutions-focused will resonate well with the interviewers, as they’re looking for someone who can navigate complexities effectively.