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Programme Manager (Transport)


Job Location:

York - UK

Monthly Salary: Not provided by the employer
Posted: 19 August 2026 (14 hours ago)
Application Deadline: 16 November 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

3 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To provide senior programme management leadership for the time-critical transfer of bus services and associated powers into the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority. The postholder will establish effective programme governance controls and delivery structures bring together multiple workstreams and partner organisations and maintain a clear focus on achieving critical milestones and successful implementation.

This is a delivery-focused role requiring the postholder to establish programme grip proactively manage risks and dependencies provide constructive challenge and drive delivery at pace across a complex multi-stakeholder environment.



Key Responsibilities
  • Establish clear programme structure and delivery discipline confirming scope milestones critical path dependencies priorities accountabilities and delivery expectations.
  • Establish and lead effective project and workstream groups across technical operational legal financial commercial workforce and other specialist areas.
  • Define clear terms of reference membership responsibilities deliverables milestones and accountabilities for each workstream.
  • Establish and maintain appropriate programme governance including Programme Boards reporting arrangements decision-making assurance escalation and issue-resolution processes.
  • Develop and maintain a single integrated programme plan covering key tasks milestones dependencies and deliverables required to achieve the transfer within agreed timescales.
  • Implement consistent programme controls covering actions decisions risks issues dependencies milestones and critical path management.
  • Drive delivery against critical milestones actively challenging slippage and implementing corrective action where progress is at risk.
  • Identify and proactively manage emerging risks issues and dependencies ensuring clear ownership mitigation and escalation arrangements.
  • Provide accurate and timely programme reporting including executive-level updates Programme Board papers performance reports risk and issue reports and strategic recommendations.
  • Ensure senior stakeholders have clear visibility of progress key decisions risks issues dependencies and areas requiring intervention.
  • Work collaboratively with partner authorities and other stakeholders to develop and agree the arrangements required to enable the successful transfer.
  • Ensure decisions actions and recommendations are accurately recorded monitored and followed through to completion.
  • Provide constructive challenge to project leads and delivery partners ensuring agreed outcomes milestones and accountabilities remain on track.
  • Ensure programme governance documentation reporting and assurance are proportionate effective and consistently applied across all workstreams.
  • Build effective relationships across organisational boundaries and facilitate collaboration between senior leaders technical specialists project teams and external partners.
  • Provide visible programme leadership creating structure momentum and a clear line of sight from individual workstreams through to successful implementation.
  • Escalate unresolved issues promptly and ensure appropriate intervention is secured to protect the programme timetable.
  • Apply strong commercial operational and organisational change awareness when assessing programme risks dependencies and implementation requirements.


Requirements
  • Significant senior-level programme or project management experience with a proven track record of personally leading complex time-critical transformation mobilisation or service transition programmes through to implementation.
  • Demonstrable experience leading large-scale service redesign mobilisation insourcing outsourcing or service transition programmes involving multiple workstreams organisations and operational dependencies.
  • Proven experience establishing and embedding effective programme and project governance including Programme Boards project/workstream groups Terms of Reference reporting arrangements assurance and escalation routes.
  • Strong experience establishing and leading cross-functional project and workstream groups involving technical operational commercial financial legal workforce and other specialist functions.
  • Strong practical experience of programme controls including integrated programme plans critical paths milestones dependencies risks issues actions and decisions.
  • Demonstrable ability to drive delivery at pace challenge slippage resolve issues manage dependencies and implement corrective action to protect critical milestones.
  • Ability to rapidly establish programme management grip and structure within complex or developing environments.
  • Experience producing high-quality executive-level reporting Programme Board papers performance updates risk and issue reports and strategic recommendations.
  • Experience working in politically sensitive multi-stakeholder or public sector environments with strong judgement and resilience when working with senior stakeholders.
  • Excellent stakeholder management communication influencing and facilitation skills.
  • Ability to provide effective leadership challenge and direction across multiple workstreams and delivery partners.
  • Strong commercial operational and organisational change awareness with an understanding of the practical risks associated with significant service transformation.
  • Experience within local government combined authorities transport infrastructure or another regulated service environment is desirable.
  • Experience of public transport bus service transformation franchising service transfers or the transfer of transport powers/functions is desirable.
  • Knowledge of public procurement TUPE/workforce transition commissioning or complex contractual and commercial arrangements is desirable.
  • Experience working across multiple partner organisations or local authority boundaries is desirable.
  • Familiarity with recognised programme and project management methodologies including MSP PRINCE2 Agile or PMO best practice is desirable.


Additional Information

Location: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority with hybrid working arrangements as applicable.

Hours Per Week 37 Hours

Bi-Weekly Payments




Required Education:

Doctorate or Equivalent Qualification in Educational Psychology