Manchester City Council
Programme Lead- Employer Engagement & Partnerships
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Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week
Contract Type: Full-Time, Temporary (March 2029)
Additional Payments: Casual Car Allowance, Essential Car Allowance, Flexibility payment
Closing Date: 23 August 2026
Closing time: 11.59pm
Interview Method: Face to Face. Candidates shortlisted for the role will first be invited to attend an Assessment Centre on the morning of Wednesday 9 September. Candidates who successfully progress to the next stage will then be invited to attend an Interview on Tuesday 15 September.
Legal Right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action
This role is subject to -
2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.
DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for a Standard/ an Enhanced [delete as appropriate] Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-code-of-practice). We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request.
About the Role
Manchester Adult Education Service (MAES) is seeking an experienced and motivated Programme Lead to support the development, coordination and delivery of the MAES strategy and associated action plans. The role will contribute to delivering the service’s core ambition: connecting Manchester residents to their potential, their community and their future through high-quality, inclusive education.
Key Responsibilities
The postholder will support the design and implementation of strategic programmes, initiatives and activities that increase participation in learning, improve access to employment and progression, and respond effectively to employer demand across key growth sectors.
Working closely with internal colleagues and a wide range of external partners, including employers, training providers and the community and voluntary sector, the role will place a strong emphasis on engaging employers and developing long-lasting relationships that shape provision, create opportunities and support sustainable outcomes for Manchester’s residents and communities.
Priority Programmes
A key focus of this role will be supporting innovative, city-wide programmes that respond to labour market challenges and support inclusive growth.
Responsive Manchester (Micro-Credentials Ecosystem)
Responsive Manchester is the city’s approach to delivering flexible, employer-led learning. It aims to tackle persistent skills shortages and improve access to employment in high-demand sectors such as digital, health and social care, construction and education.
Traditional education pathways often lack the flexibility to keep pace with rapidly evolving employer needs. Responsive Manchester supports inclusive economic growth by enabling residents to gain relevant skills quickly. The Micro-Credential Ecosystem is delivered through a partnership model involving Manchester City Council, local employers and training providers, with credentials recognised and validated to support progression into employment, more secure employment or further learning.
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The Delivery Model Includes
- Short, targeted learning focused on specific, employment-driven skills or competencies
- Flexible and modular pathways that enable learners to build skills progressively
- Employer-aligned content developed in collaboration with local businesses
- Accessible pathways for unemployed and underemployed residents, including those with limited formal qualifications
Ambition Manchester (In-Work Progression)
Since 2023, Ambition Manchester has supported outcomes for over 550 residents in low-income households, enabling progression into higher-skilled, better-paid roles or increased hours through targeted career coaching, core skills development and stronger employer engagement.
This successful model directly addresses in-work poverty and aligns with the Making Manchester Fairer action plan. By offering flexible, scalable support, it helps participants build their confidence, capabilities and connections needed to access sustainable careers and improve their long-term prospects.
The Model
- Provides tailored guidance, coaching and labour market insight with reduced caseloads for more intensive support
- Delivers bite-sized core and soft skills training through hybrid formats, supported by e-learning and micro-credential pathways
- Builds strategic relationships with employers to identify skills gaps, create opportunities and align training with sector needs
Requirements
The successful candidate will:
- Lead the design, coordination and implementation of strategic programmes to ensure wide and equitable participation across Manchester’s communities
- Build and sustain strong, long-term relationships with employers, training providers and community organisations
- Identify, engage and grow lasting employer relationships across priority sectors
- Act as a key point of contact for employer engagement, supporting recruitment activity and participation in programme delivery
- Coordinate employer involvement in shaping provision to ensure it is responsive to labour market need
- Work closely with delivery teams to match employer demand with learner opportunities
- Share labour market intelligence and employer feedback to inform programme development and continuous improvement
- Maintain accurate records using CRM systems and track activity against agreed outcomes
- Contribute to monitoring, reporting and evaluation for internal and external stakeholders
- Represent MAES at external events, promoting opportunities and strengthening partnerships
- Broker relationships with organisations delivering support to residents and connect communities to local opportunities
- Produce high-quality communications, including reports, presentations and briefings
We Are Looking For Someone With
- Strong experience of partnership working, particularly with employers and stakeholders
- Experience in employability, education or economic development programmes
- A good understanding of Manchester’s communities, labour market and barriers to participation
- Confidence in engaging with stakeholders at different levels and facilitating collaborative activity
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
- Experience using CRM systems or data tracking tools to support delivery and performance monitoring
- You will be collaborative, proactive and committed to improving outcomes for Manchester residents through inclusive, high-quality provision
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We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.
Working for Manchester isn’t just a job - it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.
Our Manchester Is Our Vision For a Fairer, Greener, And Healthier City - a Vision Shaped By The People Of Manchester. It Guides Everything We Do At The Council And Is Brought To Life Through The Our Manchester Behaviours
- We take time to listen and understand
- We work together and trust each other
- We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
- We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
- We’re proud and passionate about Manchester
Benefits We Offer
- Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks during our annual leave purchase period.
- A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
- Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
- Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
- Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
- A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
- Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.
Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council
At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.
Support During the Process
Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview. Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.
Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Requirements
We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
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