Southampton City Council
Programme Manager

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Shape the Future. Deliver the Legacy.
Programme Managers, Project Managers, Assistant Project Managers, Project Support Officers and Project Assurance Officers
This is a genuinely unique opportunity to help ensure that Southampton City Council leaves a lasting legacy of improved services, stronger communities and sustainable transformation before we merge with neighbouring councils and transition into a brand-new authority.
Aligned to the
For colleagues in Southampton City Council, we can offer positions on a secondment basis, with approval from your manager.
About The Team
Our Projects and Change service sits at the heart of the council, providing expertise across programme and project management, business analysis, change management and PMO services. The team works with services across the organisation, supporting strategic transformation, service improvement, digital innovation, governance, benefits realisation and organisational change.
What makes our team special is our collaborative and supportive culture. We bring together professionals with diverse expertise who are passionate about improving outcomes for residents. We are committed to continuous learning, innovation, strong governance and delivering meaningful change. Our colleagues work on some of the council's highest-profile projects, influencing decisions that shape the future of Southampton and the wider region.
About The Roles
Depending on the role, you will:
- Lead and deliver complex programmes and projects from inception to implementation.
- Support major organisational change and local government reorganisation activity.
- Work closely with senior leaders, elected members, partner organisations and frontline services.
- Provide project planning, governance, assurance and performance reporting.
- Identify and manage risks, issues, dependencies and benefits.
- Support the delivery of projects that improve outcomes for residents and communities.
- Help embed robust programme and project management practices across the organisation.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
You could be working on projects linked to transformation, digital innovation, customer experience, prevention and early intervention, growth and regeneration, sustainability, organisational development, or the transition to the new unitary authority. These areas align to the city priorities and the council's corporate objectives.
About You
We are looking for people who have:
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Good organisational and planning skills with attention to detail.
- Experience of governance, reporting or assurance processes.
- The ability to manage risks, issues and competing priorities.
- Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office (particularly Excel, Teams and reporting tools).
- Project or programme delivery experience appropriate to the grade and job description.
Whether you are an experienced programme leader or looking to build your career in project delivery, we would love to hear from you.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
Southampton City Council is committed to creating a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are particularly keen to hear from candidates with care experience. We recognise the valuable skills, resilience, insight and lived experience that care-experienced colleagues bring to our organisation and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
Why Join Us?
This is more than a project management role.
It is an opportunity to help deliver Southampton's final chapter as a unitary council while shaping the foundations of a new organisation. Your work will influence how services are delivered for many years to come, leaving a lasting legacy for residents, communities and future generations.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
If you are excited by challenge, motivated by purpose and passionate about delivering change, we would love to hear from you.
What We Can Offer You
Salary: The salary band for this role is £65,222 - £73,834 per annum. The starting salary is £65,222 with annual progression through the salary bands.
Here at SCC we have a range of different benefits, a few examples can be found below.
- Excellent Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
- Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service
- Flexible working options (role-dependent)
- Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
- Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
- Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
- Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
- Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
- Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
- Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
- Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer
Contact Details For Informal Discussion
For further information on our benefits package please visit:
For further information and details regarding the role, please contact Stuart Webb on 07718 147003
Interview Information
Please note that interviews are scheduled for week commencing 24th August 2026.
Recruitment contact details:
Tel: 023 8083 4033
For More Information About SCC Please Visit
Follow us on social media for regular updates on our featured jobs and latest news.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills