Overview
Our Benefits
You can also see our full list of employee benefits on our careers site here: Why you should work for us | West Northamptonshire Council.
About the role
Are you ready to lead a transformative programme that makes a real difference in people’s lives?
West Northamptonshire Council is looking for an experienced and driven Programme Contract Manager to lead on the delivery of a £32 million Connect to Work initiative across the South Midlands. Funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, this ambitious programme aims to deliver positive employment outcomes for residents and businesses in Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes, and Northamptonshire. Delivery will be through a network of Local Authority partners, with a strong focus on collaboration, innovation, and measurable outcomes.
In this pivotal role, you’ll be responsible for overseeing the strategic and operational delivery of the programme, managing a small but dedicated team, and ensuring high performance from sub-contracted providers. You’ll also play a key role in embedding fidelity assurance models of supported employment, ensuring the programme delivers real, lasting change for individuals, communities, and businesses.
This role is until March 2030 and the end of the programme. It’s an exciting opportunity to lead a high-profile, high-impact programme that aligns with national priorities and local ambitions.
Interviews are expected to take place on Friday 24 October or Monday 27 October.
For an informal discussion about this role, please contact: Emma Panter emma.panter@westnorthants.gov.uk
What will you be doing?
You will establish and maintain robust programme management systems, ensuring adherence DWP requirements, and managing all risks associated with complex grant-funded initiatives being delivered through partners.
- Leading the strategic and operational delivery of the Connect to Work programme across Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes, and Northamptonshire.
- Managing a dedicated programme team and overseeing sub-contracted providers to ensure high-quality, impactful services.
- Building strong partnerships with local authorities, health services, education providers, and community organisations.
- Monitoring programme performance, managing risks, and ensuring compliance with funding and fidelity assurance models.
- Driving innovation and continuous improvement in employment and skills delivery.
- Managing budgets and forecasting spend to ensure financial accountability.
- Aligning programme delivery with national and local employment strategies.
About you
You’re a strategic and inspiring leader with a strong track record of delivering complex, multi-partner programmes – ideally within employment, skills, or economic development. You thrive in dynamic environments and bring clarity, confidence, and purpose to everything you do.
- Proven leadership experience in managing large-scale, grant-funded programmes with the ability to navigate complexity and drive results.
- Exceptional programme management skills with a sharp eye for detail and a commitment to delivering on time and within budget.
- A collaborative mindset with the ability to build and sustain effective partnerships across public, private, and voluntary sectors.
- Strong analytical capabilities using data to inform decisions, measure impact, and continuously improve service delivery.
- Insight into employment barriers particularly for individuals with complex health needs, and a passion for creating inclusive pathways into work.
About us
We’re a new council, following one of the largest shake-ups in local government
reform in recent history. As a new authority, we’re embarking on an exciting journey
to deliver exceptional services for our residents, customers and
communities.
Our vision at West Northamptonshire Council is ‘to make West Northants a great
place to live, work, visit and thrive’. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to
make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance,
Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver
services.
At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with
ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail,
and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A
place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-
minded people.
When potential is unlocked, talent thrives.
Choose a career that offers you a true sense of achievement, fills you with pride and
challenges you in a positive way, every day.
West Northants Council, where careers thrive.
