Senior Programme Officer

Job Information

This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in Northumberland County Council’s £90m ‘Energising Blyth’ Programme. Following the award of an additional £20.71m earlier this year from the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC) you will support the programme management and project development and delivery of major capital projects with a focus on housing renewal and town centre living as part of the council's overall masterplan for the town and countywide town investment programme.

Other projects supported by the funding award which you will maintain an oversight of and input to include a new ‘Welcoming and Safe Blyth’ project to tackle anti-social behaviour and retail crime in the town, a new ‘Empty Homes Team’ and also input to the wider programme of investment to the town including the new Energy Central Campus and ongoing work to bring forward strategic sites.

You will work closely with specialist teams in NCC Regeneration and Housing and Advance Northumberland Development Company on this new high profile activity to ensure that proposals are consistent with the strategic context and ambitions of partners, stakeholders and residents. You will be responsible for creating and helping to secure commitment to delivery informed by engagement with stakeholders in the town and through high level programme and project management skills and the delivery of key milestones across the programme of work.

You will require the ability to work with a high degree of autonomy and initiative and to have experience and expertise across a range of professional disciplines including familiarity with Treasury Green Book project development principles, project management, inclusive economic growth; research and engagement management; and operating effectively within a political and governmental framework.

You will work with senior leaders in Place and Regeneration Directorate, report to the NCC Programme Board, Housing Delivery Board and the Town Deal Board and its structures, to provide support, information and advice to aid the operation of the Board to meet its objectives and strategic priorities. You will be part of a service of over 50 people delivering major change and improvements across Northumberland.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and driven professional with significant experience in the delivery of complex, publicly funded, multi-million pound capital programmes and projects from initiation through to successful completion. This will include business case development, contract and financial management; reporting, monitoring and evaluation; procurement, legal and financial/funding compliance.

We are keen to hear from experienced regeneration professionals who share our commitment to making a genuine difference for people and businesses in Blyth and Northumberland.

A full list of the duties and key result areas are set out in the Job Description and Person Specification.

This is a fixed term contract for two years from appointment with Northumberland County Council with a starting salary of £40,478 -£44,539 (Band 9).

The job is based in County Hall in Morpeth, but we operate flexible working arrangements, including some home working.
- Demonstrate recent experience in preparing regeneration based funding bids and project business cases for place-based regeneration projects.
- Have a background in regeneration, housing, planning or similar disciplines.
- Have significant experience of partnership working and engaging with a broad range of stakeholders and the ability to communicate effectively.
- Offer ‘client side’ project management experience including monitoring project and programme delivery.
- Demonstrate understanding of Local Authority governance processes and procedures.
- Have strong financial management skills and commercial awareness.
- Demonstrate competence in report writing, procurement and contract management and regulatory compliance.
- Evidence of working with grant funding regulations and programmes.
- Hold extensive knowledge of national, regional, and local policies related to town centre regeneration
- Have a valid UK driving license

Northumberland is world-renowned as a visitor destination and an ideal location to strike a perfect work/life

balance. There is no better way of enjoying the picturesque scenery and stunning coastline than on an

everyday basis

Northumberland County Council’s (NCC) vision is “To make Northumberland a county which you regard as a

great place to live, in which you can access the activities you enjoy, whilst having the opportunity to learn

and thrive”.

For further information about working for NCC, please visit our website here.

Why choose us?

We have some outstanding benefits to offer you, including:

- 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for

part-time employees)
- Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pen