At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead community-driven climate action projects and manage impactful programmes.
- Company: Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council, a values-driven organisation committed to community empowerment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, hybrid working, and generous leave package.
- Other info: Join a supportive team that values diversity and employee wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in communities while tackling climate challenges.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing sustainability-focused programmes and strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 40777 - 44075 £ per year.
Employer: Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council
Salary: £40,777- £44,075 plus benefits.
Location: Wirral, Mallory, 2 Alice Ker Square, Hybrid Working
Contract: Temporary
Working Pattern: Flexible Hours/Full Time
Hours: 36 hours per week.
DBS Check: No
Closing Date: 28/08/2026 at 23:59
Reference: NS/26/342163
Wirral Council is a values-driven organisation where employees are empowered to "#BeTheDifference" and help create fairer opportunities for residents. Set in one of the happiest and most scenic areas in the UK, the Council offers an inspiring place to live and work, with a strong commitment to supporting staff and delivering ambitious plans for the borough's future. Joining Wirral Council means becoming part of a dedicated, forward-thinking team that is truly valued and encouraged to thrive.
Fixed Term until 30th June 2029.
Are you passionate about empowering communities to take meaningful climate action? Do you have the skills to manage complex programmes, build strong partnerships, and deliver measurable impact? Wirral Council is seeking an experienced and motivated Programme Manager to lead the delivery of our Thriving Communities Programme, funded through the National Lottery Climate Action Fund. This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role in supporting community-led climate action projects across the borough while helping residents build more sustainable, resilient communities.
About the Role:
- As Programme Manager, you will oversee the successful delivery of a multi-project climate action programme that supports voluntary, community and grassroots organisations to develop and deliver local solutions to climate challenges.
- You will act as the key link between Wirral Council, funded partners, the Programme Board and funders, ensuring projects achieve their objectives, remain compliant with funding requirements, and demonstrate clear impact.
- This role offers the opportunity to work at the heart of community-led change, supporting initiatives focused on energy efficiency, sustainable transport, food systems, biodiversity and wider environmental sustainability.
About the Candidate:
- Experience managing community, partnership or sustainability-focused programmes.
- Strong project management and organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Experience of monitoring, evaluating and reporting on funded projects.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presentations.
- Knowledge of climate change, sustainability, environmental justice or community development.
- A collaborative approach and a passion for helping communities thrive.
Essential Requirements:
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline.
- Ability to achieve Carbon Literacy accreditation within three months of appointment.
- Ability to travel across the borough and work flexibly across partner locations.
Interviews to take place on 8th September 2026. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. For this vacancy, candidates must have an existing right to work in the UK before commencing employment. Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is not available for this post. Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages of the selection process.
If you're already a Wirral Council employee, and as part of our Talent Strategy, we're committed to strengthening opportunities for our people to learn, grow, progress, and thrive. For many of you, this may be preparing and applying for your next role with us, and we're passionate about ensuring you feel supported throughout your internal recruitment experience.
Working at Wirral:
- Our values are more than just pieces of paper on our walls! We've all played a role in developing these, so they reflect the immense pride we have in what we do, what matters to us, what inspires us and inform how we think, approach things and behave.
- We believe in ensuring staff are well looked after, staff wellbeing is a priority for us.
- We're serious about recognising and rewarding people for the great things they do.
- You'll benefit from our track record of developing, growing and investing in our people.
- We have a range of staff benefits including staff discounts, an excellent pension scheme which includes a generous employer contribution rate, immediate life cover and ill-health protection.
- We have a strong flexible working approach, hybrid working, family-friendly employment initiatives and an annual leave package starting with 28 days leave plus public holidays.
- We have an inclusive, engaged culture, everyone has a voice, everyone is valued for their contribution and understands the role they play in delivering our strategic priorities.
- Each voice is heard, each contribution valued.
- We embrace diversity in our workforce and recognise it is critical to our success.
- We support an inclusive culture that champions differences and nurtures a sense of belonging.
- We encourage people from diverse backgrounds, who share our values and our commitment to inclusion to apply for roles with us.
- We want you to be your best at work, we create the conditions to help you thrive and we mirror this in our recruitment process.
If you'd like us to do anything differently during the recruitment process to make it barrier‑free and as accessible as possible please contact recruitment@wirral.gov.uk.
Please note that in accordance with the Council's policy, employees who are in a formal redeployment situation will be considered in the first instance for all vacancies. It is Council policy not to re-appoint any employee who has left under the terms of the Council's Early Voluntary Retirement (EVR) scheme or who have left with a voluntary severance (VS) package, unless in exceptional circumstances.
Applications will be accepted until midnight on the closing date. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications. Applications can only be accepted through the Jobs page following registration. Forms received via the post will not be processed. All applicants invited to interview must evidence their right to work in the UK. Details of required documents can be found by clicking the link at the bottom of the Jobs page. The job description and other supporting documents will not be accessible once the vacancy closing date has passed so if a copy is required you should download it now. We do not accept applications or CV's from recruitment agencies, unless otherwise stated. Therefore, any candidates submitted via a recruitment agency will not be considered for this role.
Programme Manager - Thriving Communities employer: Wirral Schools
Ridgeway High School is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive environment that prioritises staff wellbeing and work/life balance. With a commitment to equality and diversity, the school fosters professional growth opportunities for its employees while providing a positive atmosphere recognised by Investors in People. Located in Wirral, this family-friendly school is dedicated to making a meaningful impact on students' lives, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Manager - Thriving Communities
✨Get Engaged in Local Politics
Dive into your local council meetings or community boards. These spaces are packed with people who are already in the public sector and might have insider tips on upcoming temporary roles. Plus, you can connect directly with key decision-makers.
✨Stay Alert for Seasonal Recruitment
Many public sector jobs ramp up during certain times of the year, especially around election seasons or local budget planning periods. Keep your eyes peeled for recruitment drives during these windows, as they're prime times for temporary positions.
✨Leverage Online Job Portals
Don’t forget to check government job boards or websites like the local council's site for temporary postings. This is where many roles first get advertised, and applying directly here can speed things up.
✨Tap Into Your University Resources
If you're at university, make the most of your career services to discover opportunities in the public sector. They often have connections with local government employers who are looking for temporary staff and can help you polish your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Manager - Thriving Communities
Some tips for your application 🫡
Emphasise your understanding of public policy:In your application, make sure to highlight any knowledge or experience you have related to public policy, governance or community engagement. Show us how you can contribute to the public sector’s mission, especially if you've worked on relevant projects or initiatives before!
Tailor your CV to the sector's expectations:When crafting your CV, focus on including experiences that showcase your ability to work within government structures or similar environments. Use clear, concise language and consider adding any volunteer work or internships that reflect your commitment to public service.
Show flexibility and willingness to learn:Since this is a temporary role, it’s crucial to convey your adaptability and eagerness to pick up new skills quickly. In your cover letter, let us know how you plan to make the most of this short-term experience and what you hope to learn from it.
Include relevant certificates and training:If you've completed any training or have certifications that are relevant to the role (like public administration, project management, or data analysis), don't forget to mention them. These can really make you stand out in the application process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wirral Schools
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Public Service
In the government and public sector, showing that you're genuinely passionate about serving the community is key. Get ready to share examples where you've contributed to social good or tackled community issues, as this will resonate with interviewers from Wirral Schools.
✨Prepare for Policy and Regulatory Questions
Expect questions about policies, regulations, or recently implemented government initiatives. Brush up on the latest news relating to public sector developments—being informed will help you demonstrate that you're ready to hit the ground running, especially in a temporary role.
✨Flexibility is Your Best Friend
Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly. Share examples where you've successfully taken on new challenges or adjusted to different team dynamics, that'll show Wirral Schools that you’re reliable and can effectively support various projects without a long onboarding process.
✨Prepare to Showcase Teamwork Skills
In the public sector, collaboration is vital. Be ready to discuss past experiences working in teams, especially in diverse environments. Highlight how you've contributed positively to group settings—this could really set you apart from other candidates in this temporary role.
