Job Description
Benefits
Pulled from the full job description
Employee discount
Annual leave
Company pension
Full job description
Job profile
The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
Job details
Job reference
REQ
Date posted
2+/05/2026
Application closing date
15/06/2026
Location
Salary
£63,830 - £66,642
Package
Contractual hours
37
Basis
Full time
Attachments
Programme Manager - WMF20+2e
Job description
Location: Kendal, Penrith or Barrow, to be agreed with successful candidate. Also with home working.
Contract Type: Temporary until 31/03/2026
About this opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Westmorland and Furness Programme Management Office on a temporary basis to support the organisation to deliver the priorities set out in the Council Plan Annual Plan 25/26.
Our vision for Westmorland and Furness is simple, we want our area to be a great place to live, work and thrive.
We are looking to recruit a talented and experienced Programme Manager to drive forward the Priority Delivery Programme working with service leaders, elected members, partners, and Trade Union colleagues at all levels of the council and leading the development and successful delivery of a multi-dimensional programme and to ensure implementation is sustainable, affordable and fit for purpose within the new council.
A key element of the role will be to constructively challenge current ways of working, taking an evidenced based approach to benefits realisation that ensures service improvement is customer focused, innovative, and efficient.
By joining us at this critical time you will be pivotal in supporting us on our improvement journey, undertaking a key role where you can drive forward organisational change in a brand-new council that values its workforce as its greatest asset.
We are looking to achieve a real step change in the way we support our workforce and create a caring and supportive organisational culture. We are looking for someone who will have the passion and programme management skills & experience to develop and deliver change with a clear focus on benefits realisation.
Who we are looking for…
You must be inspiring, motivating and committed to supporting our staff to create a modern, compassionate, learning and caring culture.
You will have considerable experience of co-ordinating, leading and managing organisation wide change programmes within a large and complex organisation. These programmes will also require a good understanding of council services, legislation and policies, an ability to analyse data and to be able to communicate effectively.
We are an ambitious council and we have a unique opportunity to be bold, creative and do things differently. This is a truly exceptional opportunity to shape our future and yours.
We are an agile, innovative team leading change and looking to increase our impact across the council.
What can we offer you!
Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site. Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)
Would you like to find out more?
For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments:
Post Specification
Role Profile
If you have any queries about this role or would like an informal chat about this opportunity, then please contact Faye Collis on 0738XXXXXX.
Application and Interview information
Closing date: 15th June 2026
We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Options will be discussed with candidates once they have been invited to the interview stage of the process for this specific position, and if you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.
Westmorland and Furness Council are now able to offer sponsorship for Skilled Worker Visa applications for eligible roles. Please note, we cannot guarantee the eligibility of all of our roles, therefore, if you would like more information on roles that may be eligible please visit the government website - Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations and codes - GOV.UK.
Safer Recruitment & DBS
At Westmorland and Furness Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and we expect all workers, employees and volunteers to share our commitment.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.
As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.
We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old (someone who has been looked after by a local authority at any point, for any length of time, e.g. foster care, residential care, or under the guardianship of a local authority) that meet the essential criteria for the role.
Pulled from the full job description
Employee discount
Annual leave
Company pension
Full job description
Job profile
The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
Job details
Job reference
REQ
Date posted
2+/05/2026
Application closing date
15/06/2026
Location
Salary
£63,830 - £66,642
Package
Contractual hours
37
Basis
Full time
Attachments
Programme Manager - WMF20+2e
Job description
Location: Kendal, Penrith or Barrow, to be agreed with successful candidate. Also with home working.
Contract Type: Temporary until 31/03/2026
About this opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Westmorland and Furness Programme Management Office on a temporary basis to support the organisation to deliver the priorities set out in the Council Plan Annual Plan 25/26.
Our vision for Westmorland and Furness is simple, we want our area to be a great place to live, work and thrive.
We are looking to recruit a talented and experienced Programme Manager to drive forward the Priority Delivery Programme working with service leaders, elected members, partners, and Trade Union colleagues at all levels of the council and leading the development and successful delivery of a multi-dimensional programme and to ensure implementation is sustainable, affordable and fit for purpose within the new council.
A key element of the role will be to constructively challenge current ways of working, taking an evidenced based approach to benefits realisation that ensures service improvement is customer focused, innovative, and efficient.
By joining us at this critical time you will be pivotal in supporting us on our improvement journey, undertaking a key role where you can drive forward organisational change in a brand-new council that values its workforce as its greatest asset.
We are looking to achieve a real step change in the way we support our workforce and create a caring and supportive organisational culture. We are looking for someone who will have the passion and programme management skills & experience to develop and deliver change with a clear focus on benefits realisation.
Who we are looking for…
You must be inspiring, motivating and committed to supporting our staff to create a modern, compassionate, learning and caring culture.
You will have considerable experience of co-ordinating, leading and managing organisation wide change programmes within a large and complex organisation. These programmes will also require a good understanding of council services, legislation and policies, an ability to analyse data and to be able to communicate effectively.
We are an ambitious council and we have a unique opportunity to be bold, creative and do things differently. This is a truly exceptional opportunity to shape our future and yours.
We are an agile, innovative team leading change and looking to increase our impact across the council.
What can we offer you!
Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site. Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)
Would you like to find out more?
For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments:
Post Specification
Role Profile
If you have any queries about this role or would like an informal chat about this opportunity, then please contact Faye Collis on 0738XXXXXX.
Application and Interview information
Closing date: 15th June 2026
We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Options will be discussed with candidates once they have been invited to the interview stage of the process for this specific position, and if you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.
Westmorland and Furness Council are now able to offer sponsorship for Skilled Worker Visa applications for eligible roles. Please note, we cannot guarantee the eligibility of all of our roles, therefore, if you would like more information on roles that may be eligible please visit the government website - Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations and codes - GOV.UK.
Safer Recruitment & DBS
At Westmorland and Furness Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and we expect all workers, employees and volunteers to share our commitment.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.
As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.
We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old (someone who has been looked after by a local authority at any point, for any length of time, e.g. foster care, residential care, or under the guardianship of a local authority) that meet the essential criteria for the role.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Programme Manager - WMF20+2e position is now open for candidates interested in the Government Job Alert sector. This role in Barrow-in-Furness District offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Government Job Alert is a plus.
