At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and oversee strategic programme delivery across innovative Agri-Tech projects.
- Company: Join a pioneering organisation focused on agricultural innovation and technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days of leave, flexible hours, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the Agri-Tech sector while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in programme management and strong leadership capabilities required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 84000 £ per year.
To provide strategic oversight, leadership and delivery assurance across all three The UK Agri-Tech Centre programmes, CR&D & Commercial projects ensuring alignment and coherent delivery. The role acts on behalf of the Senior Responsible Owners (SROs), translating strategic intent into robust programme execution. It leads governance, integration, interdependencies and reporting across programmes, while embedding a disciplined, outcome focused delivery culture.
Team Purpose
To ensure effective, integrated delivery of The UK Agri-Tech Centre’s programme portfolio through strong governance, coordinated planning, and oversight of risks, dependencies, outcomes and impact. The team provides structure, assurance and delivery leadership across all our programmes.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing strategic leadership and oversight of all of The UK Agri-Tech Centre's programmes, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities.
- Leading a programme from mobilisation to closure, defining, tracking and realising outcomes and impact.
- Translating strategic objectives, funding commitments and business priorities into a clear programme vision, roadmap and delivery plan.
- Programme governance frameworks, reporting structures and assurance mechanisms.
- Senior escalation point for programme-level risks, issues and decisions.
- Ensuring governance boards operate effectively with high-quality analysis, insight and recommendations.
- Providing leadership, coaching and development support to Programme Managers & Programme Governance & Reporting Lead.
- Ensuring compliance with funding rules, governance requirements and assurance processes.
Strategic Responsibilities
- Provide organisational‑level oversight and leadership of the full programme, CR&D & Commercial portfolio.
- Ensure programme delivery aligns with strategic objectives and SRO intent.
- Lead cross‑programme prioritisation, planning and outcomes & impact alignment.
- Shape and embed delivery culture, frameworks and standards across The UK Agri‑Tech Centre.
Operational Responsibilities
- Lead a programme from mobilisation to closure, defining, tracking and realising outcomes and impact.
- Oversee risks, issues, interdependencies and delivery performance.
- Lead cross‑programme planning, prioritisation and management of interdependencies.
- Drive integration across multiple workstreams to manage and resolve inter‑programme dependencies.
- Oversee metrics, outcomes and impact tracking across all programmes, in conjunction with the Impact Lead.
- Manage supplier engagement, Statements of Work and procurement compliance.
- Maintain governance, assurance and reporting frameworks.
- Monitor programme‑level financial, metrics, outcomes and impact information.
- Ensure post‑implementation evaluation and continuous improvement.
- Oversee post‑implementation reviews and ensure learning is embedded across programmes.
Leadership / People Responsibilities
- Provide day to day leadership and coaching for Programme Managers.
- Support matrix delivery teams through guidance, standards and escalation support.
- Role model collaborative, outcome focused and disciplined delivery behaviours.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Essential
- Significant experience leading multi programme portfolios which are matrix managed.
- Formal programme/project management accreditation (e.g., MSP, PRINCE2, APM).
- Deep knowledge of programme governance, assurance and reporting.
- Strong risk, dependency and issue management capability.
- Understanding and experience of using logic models to plan programmes and delivery outputs and outcomes.
- Understanding of research, innovation and/or technical delivery contexts.
- Strong stakeholder influence and executive communication skills.
- Supplier oversight experience, including contracts and statements of work.
- Significant (5+ year) line management experience.
Desirable
- Experience in public sector or government funded environments.
- Experience in the Agriculture, R&D and Innovation sectors.
Core technical / professional competencies
- Significant experience leading multi‑programme portfolios.
- Formal programme/project management accreditation.
- Expertise in structured programme management frameworks.
- Strong capability in risk, dependency and issue management.
- Experienced in establishing governance and reporting environments.
- Financial oversight, outcomes and impact realisation experience, including an understanding and experience of how logic models are used to plan programmes and deliver outputs and impact.
- Supplier and commercial oversight, including statements of work.
Benefits
- 33 days of annual leave with flexible public holidays allocation.
- Flexible working hours.
- 4x salary life assurance.
- EAP with 24/7 helpline and expert advice service (legal, finance, health).
- Pension salary sacrifice scheme availability.
- Fees for professional memberships.
- Ongoing training and development.
Head of Programme Delivery & Governance employer: UK Agritech Centre do
The UK Agri-Tech Centre is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in York that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive training opportunities, flexible working hours, and a generous benefits package including 33 days of annual leave and life assurance. Join us to lead impactful programmes in the agri-tech sector while being part of a supportive team that values outcome-focused delivery and professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Programme Delivery & Governance
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its programmes thoroughly. Understand their goals and challenges, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. We want you to walk into that interview feeling confident and ready to impress!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and get comfortable with common questions. We believe that the more you practice, the more natural and confident you'll be when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in showing your appreciation and keeping you top of mind. We’re all about making those connections, so let’s keep the conversation going!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Programme Delivery & Governance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the key responsibilities of the Head of Programme Delivery & Governance role. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading multiple programmes, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams and delivered outcomes in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to convey your ideas and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to track your application and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at UK Agritech Centre do
✨Know Your Programmes Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into The UK Agri-Tech Centre's programmes. Understand their strategic objectives and how they align with the role of Head of Programme Delivery & Governance. This knowledge will help you articulate how your experience can directly contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach, especially in managing multi-programme portfolios. Share specific examples of how you've led teams through challenges, ensuring effective governance and delivery. Highlight your coaching methods and how you foster a disciplined, outcome-focused culture.
✨Demonstrate Your Risk Management Skills
Given the emphasis on risk, dependency, and issue management in the job description, come armed with examples of how you've successfully navigated these areas in past roles. Discuss your strategies for identifying risks early and how you've implemented solutions to mitigate them.
✨Prepare Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the organisation's current challenges and future direction. This not only shows your interest but also allows you to assess if the role aligns with your career aspirations and values.
