We are seeking an experienced Programme Management Office (PMO) Lead to continue to develop a Programme Management Office to support the next phase of the Arts Council’s transformation programme. The programme includes several complex and interdependent projects.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of a growing Programme Management Office function, helping to bring clarity, consistency and momentum to a portfolio of complex change initiatives. You’ll be part of a collaborative and evolving team focused on improving how we deliver change across the organisation.

The role will be based in Manchester; however, we are operating a hybrid way of working and support our staff to make use of remote working options when combined with regular on-site contact days with other members of the team, normally 1 to 2 days a week

• You will play a key role in developing a newly established Programme Management Office (PMO) to support the effective delivery of a complex transformation programme.
• Working closely with senior delivery colleagues, you will shape Programme Management Office processes, governance and ways of working, adapting these to suit service owners who may be less familiar with structured project or agile approaches.
• You will maintain oversight of plans, milestones, dependencies and risks across multiple projects, helping teams manage complexity and sustain momentum.
• A central part of the role involves making programme and project management accessible and practical. 
• You will explain concepts in clear, straightforward terms, adapting tools, language and approaches to build confidence and understanding across a range of experience levels.
• Rather than enforcing a single methodology, you will introduce flexible ways of working that reflect the needs of different teams, co-developing simple, effective tools and templates with delivery colleagues.

For the full job description, including the key areas of responsibilities and accountabilities, please click the 'apply now' button. 

Arts Council are committed to being an inclusive employer, building an inclusive workplace, and recruiting a workforce that is as diverse as the communities we serve. However, you identify, and whatever background you bring with you, we welcome you to apply for a role at Arts Council.

• You will bring significant experience of programme and Programme Management Office leadership, ideally within environments where structures and processes are still evolving. 
• You will be comfortable operating without fully established systems or governance, taking a pragmatic and politically aware approach to navigating organisational complexity and competing priorities. 
• You will build trust through sound judgement, clarity and strong relationships, rather than relying on formal authority.
• You will have a strong ability to simplify complex information and communicate clearly in plain English, tailoring your approach and level of detail to suit different audiences.
• You will be confident influencing across teams and disciplines without direct line management responsibility, and bring a solid grounding in programme and project management that allows you to make informed decisions and offer constructive challenge, while applying your knowledge flexibly.