Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and empower mums to restart their careers through training and mentorship.
- Company: Women’s Work Lab, dedicated to helping women overcome barriers to employment.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, competitive salary, pension, and inclusive workplace culture.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to diversity and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in women's lives while developing your organisational and people skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in people-focused roles and strong organisational skills required.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 27000 ÂŁ per year.
About Us
Women’s Work Lab exists to support mums to (re)start their careers and build the confidence, skills and networks to move forward. Many of the mums we work with have faced significant barriers to employment. That might be domestic abuse, caring responsibilities, mental health challenges or simply being out of work for a long time. Whatever their story, they arrive with huge potential and our role is to help unlock that.
Our 12-week HIVE programme combines training, connection and work placements, followed by ongoing support. The impact is real and lasting not just supporting movement into work, but building confidence, identity and community. Outcomes for participants include new careers, further training and crucially the creation of a vital support network. Over 70 percent of our 2024/25 graduates are either in jobs, training or volunteering.
WWL is now a team of 18 and we’re running programmes in Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire, Somerset and Birmingham.
About the role
This role is all about our mums. As a Programme Manager, you will be the person who holds the experience for each cohort. You’ll be alongside our mums throughout their journey offering encouragement, challenge, reassurance and consistency when it’s needed most. This role is for Programmes we deliver in the West of England Combined Authority so that would include locations such as our head office in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath.
We often describe this role as the “mum of the mums” and that really is the heart of it. At the same time, this role sits within a growing, contract and grant funded organisation, so alongside that care and connection comes the need for superb organisational skills, clear communication and excellent record keeping. It’s the balance of these things that makes this role special and also what makes it work.
What we’re looking for:
- Someone who is genuinely mum-centred: You care deeply about people. You are naturally warm, kind and empathetic, and you take the time to really understand someone’s situation. You meet people where they are, without judgement, while also encouraging them to move forward. You are able to build trust quickly and become a steady, consistent presence.
- A nurturer with boundaries: You know how to support people without losing yourself in it. You can hold space for difficult conversations, support mums through moments of doubt or challenge, and also gently but clearly set expectations when needed.
- A brilliant organiser who doesn’t lose the human touch: You are able to keep on top of the detail. You are comfortable using systems, keeping digital records up to date and documenting interactions in a clear and structured way. You understand why this matters, not just for organisation, but for safeguarding, reporting and the long term sustainability of our work. At the same time, you never let process get in the way of people.
- A calm and practical problem solver: Things will change, often at the last minute. You are able to stay grounded, think clearly and find solutions without creating unnecessary stress for others.
- A relationship builder: You enjoy connecting with people and building relationships over time. This includes our mums, employer partners, referral organisations and the wider community. You understand that these relationships are key to creating meaningful opportunities.
- Comfortable holding a group space: You don’t need to be a trainer, but you are confident being around group delivery. You can support sessions, step in when needed and contribute to creating a safe, positive and engaging environment.
- Adaptable and up for figuring things out: We are a growing organisation and things will evolve. You are comfortable with that. You don’t need everything mapped out in advance and are happy to take initiative and make things happen.
- Values-led: You believe in what we do and share our core values: Aspiration, Dependability and Compassion. You are passionate about supporting women into employment and bring a non-judgemental, inclusive approach to your work. In true WWL style, you are willing to back yourself and keep learning.
What you’ll need:
- Experience working in a people-focused role
- Strong organisational skills and confidence managing multiple priorities
- The ability to build trust and build rapport with a wide range of people
- Confidence using digital systems and in keeping clear, accurate records
- A collaborative, team-first mindset
- A non-judgemental and inclusive approach
- The ability to flex and adapt to new challenges and opportunities
Location and hours
30 hours per week with flexibility around how these are worked. These hours will include core hours of 09:30 - 14:30 on your working days. You will need to be present throughout the programme delivery dates (all programmes are run in term time only). Programmes are delivered in person across the West of England, so you will need to be able to travel to locations. There is also a mix of remote working and time with the team in our central Bristol office.
Salary and benefits
ÂŁ27,000 pro-rata plus pension, statutory holiday, birthday leave and Christmas closure (or alternative cultural days).
Application process
If you would like to apply, please send a cover letter to detail why you would be a good fit for this role. Please also include a CV or a link to an up-to-date LinkedIn profile. Please email your responses to: Samantha Cuffy; samantha@womensworklab.co.uk
Deadline for applications: Thursday 14th May 2026
Interview Date: Thursday 21st May 2026
We anticipate that this role will start from 1st July 2026 once references and DBS have been completed. This role will commence at 20 hours per week rising to 30 hours per week from 1st September 2026.
The Women’s Work Lab is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from candidates from all backgrounds. Our team must fully reflect the diversity of the women who participate in our programmes and the communities they live within, and we make hiring decisions with this in mind. This post is restricted to self-identifying women only as a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, paragraph 1, Equality Act 2010.
If you would like to find out more about the role or have any questions, please contact samantha@womensworklab.co.uk
Programme Manager (West of England) in Bristol employer: The Women's Work Lab
Contact Detail:
The Women's Work Lab Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Manager (West of England) in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in your industry. Attend events, join online groups, or even reach out to folks on LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that Programme Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Be prepared for interviews! Research common questions for Programme Managers and practice your answers. Think about how your experience aligns with the needs of Women’s Work Lab and be ready to share specific examples that showcase your skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let them know why you care about supporting women into employment. Your genuine enthusiasm can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your appreciation and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s another opportunity to reiterate your interest in the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Manager (West of England) in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When writing your cover letter, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for supporting mums and how your experiences align with our mission.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience that matches the role. Focus on your people skills, organisational abilities, and any previous work that shows you can support others effectively. We love seeing how you fit into our values!
Show Your Empathy: In your application, emphasise your understanding of the challenges faced by the mums we support. Share examples of how you've built trust and rapport in past roles, as this is key to being a successful Programme Manager with us.
Follow the Application Instructions: Remember to send your application directly to Samantha at the provided email address. We appreciate attention to detail, so make sure everything is neat and complete before hitting send. Good luck!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Women's Work Lab
✨Know Your Mums
Before the interview, take some time to understand the challenges that the mums you’ll be working with face. Familiarise yourself with the barriers to employment they might encounter and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. This will help you demonstrate your genuine care and empathy during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've managed multiple priorities in previous roles. Bring along any relevant documentation or records that showcase your organisational abilities. This will highlight your capability to keep track of details while maintaining a human touch.
✨Emphasise Relationship Building
Think of examples where you've successfully built trust and rapport with individuals or groups. Be ready to share how you’ve fostered relationships in past roles, as this is key for the Programme Manager position. Highlight your ability to connect with diverse people and create meaningful opportunities.
✨Adaptability is Key
Prepare to discuss situations where you've had to adapt quickly to changes or unexpected challenges. Share how you remained calm and found solutions without adding stress to others. This will show that you can handle the dynamic nature of the role and are ready to take initiative when needed.