Programme Manager (Connect to Work)

Job Introduction

Do you have experience of working in employment support sector? Do you want drive forward positive outcomes for individuals through delivering holistic, person-centred support? Are you driven by building and maintaining operational partnerships that actively transform lives? If so, the Programme Manager (Connect to Work) is an exciting new opportunity which could be perfect for you.

About the role

The Programme Manager (Connect to Work) is a fixed term post until 31 March 2028, with the option to extend to 31 March 2030 subject to funding. 

The aim of the role will be to manage delivery of the Greater Lincolnshire Connect to Work programme, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions. The programme will be delivered by a wide range of sub-contracted providers, to deliver positive employment outcomes for residents in Greater Lincolnshire. It will include line management of a small programme management team.

You will support the Connect to Work Partnership Manager to design and deliver a programme across Greater Lincolnshire that is integrated across multiple services, including health, voluntary sector and education. The postholder will lead on the commissioning of a Greater Lincolnshire Connect to Work programme that delivers strategic outcomes for sustained employment, and to develop and deliver processes for the management and monitoring of sub-contracted provider performance, and for ensuring adherence to the fidelity assurance models of supported employment across the programme.

Hybrid working is a feature of this role. The successful applicant will be required to attend the office alongside the wider Economic Development team based in Lincoln, with the expectation that at least once a month will be spent in the Sleaford Office, liaising with the Council’s Employment & Skills Development Service team. An element of travelling will be required across the whole of Greater Lincolnshire to attend partnership meetings. The Council can offer an element of flexibility within working patterns to accommodate a strong work-life balance, subject to service needs.

About you 

On an individual basis you will actively contribute to the Council’s ambition to improve lives and raise the aspirations of adults across Greater Lincolnshire. You will be a strategic thinker with proven leadership skills with the ability to influence senior leaders in stakeholder organisations and demonstrable experience of working with a range of partners to tackle worklessness.

Ideally you will have:

• Experience of delivering successful employment support provision
• Experience of procuring and managing sub-contracted provision in employment and skills
• Educated to degree level or equivalent, with good working knowledge of current government policy impacting employment and skills
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and utilise data effectively to inform service delivery
• Experience of staff management
• The ability to motivate organisations to contribute to tackling worklessness

About the team

You will be joining the Council’s well established Economic Development team, who are well embedded in the community and business networks. Our vision is to help people to get good jobs, grow productive businesses and create a prosperous region. We are an established team with a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience keen to welcome new members in our ambition to deliver positive outcomes to residents and support economic growth.

About Our Offer 

Along with a competitive salary we are offering: 

• “Green book” Local Government terms and conditions
• Access to Local Government Pension scheme (contribution rate of approx. 24%)
• Comprehensive benefits package including salary sacrifice for cars, cycles, plus excellent discount schemes
• 37 hour working week (as full time) including flexible and hybrid working
• A generous leave entitlement with a minimum of 28 days plus bank holidays and the option to buy more
• Free financial wellbeing advice

Further details can be found here: Rewards and benefits – Lincolnshire County Council  

If this sounds like the role for you, then please read through the full Job Description, before clicking apply! If you would like to know more about Lincolnshire County Council and our current vacancies then click on over to www.lincolnshire.gov.uk.  

Applications will close on 18/08/25 and interviews will take place on or around 03/09/25

Best of luck with your application 

All candidates are advised to read the attached job information pack prior to making an application.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. 

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

A Smarter Working Employer

We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary.  Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.

Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.

Fluency Duty 

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.