At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and oversee multiple programmes, ensuring strategic alignment and effective delivery.
- Company: Join The UK Agri-Tech Centre, a leader in innovation and agriculture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days of leave, flexible hours, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the agri-tech sector while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in programme management and strong leadership capabilities required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 84000 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 31 May 2026
Department: Finance & Operations
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: York Hub
Reporting To: Chief Finance & Operations Officer
Compensation: £70,000 - £84,000 / year
Description: 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 Management 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 through ongoing training and development, as well as generous benefits like flexible working hours and 33 days of annual leave, we prioritise the well-being and professional advancement of our team members. Join us to lead impactful programmes in the agri-tech sector while being part of a supportive culture that values outcome-focused delivery and strategic leadership.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Programme Management
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, attend events, and connect on 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. We want you to be able to speak confidently about how your skills align with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. We can’t stress enough how being well-prepared can set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, we love seeing candidates take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Programme Management
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 Management 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 projects in the past. We love a good success story!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your achievements and qualifications. We appreciate a well-structured application!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
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 Management. This knowledge will help you articulate how your experience can drive successful outcomes.
✨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 style and how it fosters a disciplined delivery culture.
✨Demonstrate Risk Management Expertise
Given the importance of risk management in this role, come equipped with examples of how you've successfully identified and mitigated risks in past projects. Discuss your familiarity with governance frameworks and how you've ensured compliance with funding rules and assurance processes.
✨Engage with Stakeholders Effectively
Prepare to talk about your experience in stakeholder engagement and executive communication. Think of instances where you've influenced key stakeholders or navigated complex interdependencies. This will show your ability to lead cross-programme prioritisation and planning effectively.
