Programme Manager

Job summary

The Government Property Agency is the largest property holder in government, with more than £2.1 billion in property assets and over 55% of the government’s office estate.

We are transforming the way the Civil Service works by creating great places to work, leading the largest commercial office programme in the UK, working towards halving carbon emissions from government offices, and achieving greater value for taxpayers. And we are looking for innovative, solutions-focused people to join our team.

Representing the best covenant in the UK – His Majesty’s Government – we are leading significant transformational programmes such as the Government Hubs Programme, Whitehall Campus Programme and Net Zero Programme. We are also delivering cost- effective property services such as asset management, lifecycle replacement and workplace services.

Innovation and progress underpin our behaviours. We foster a culture of lifelong learning, where curiosity and self-improvement are encouraged. Our four core values are at the heart of everything we do. They shape our culture and guide how we work, lead and grow together:

• Striving for excellence- We always aim to deliver great results
• Empowering through respect- We insist on fair treatment for all, always
• Acting with integrity- We consistently do the right thing
• Succeeding together- We rely on each other to achieve success

The GPA is committed to representing the communities we serve by making Diversity, Equality and Inclusion part of everything we do.

To ensure that we are always recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of talent, we are particularly inviting applications from candidates who are disabled, ethnically or gender diverse, and people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Join our dynamic and diverse team that leads with purpose, improving sustainability, nurturing social value, driving inclusivity and flexibility, and kickstarting economic growth.

We are driven by purpose, and you can be part of it too: where you make a meaningful impact; where you influence; where your voice really matters; where you help to shape our future direction.

Job description

The successful candidate will be responsible for day to day management and delivery of the cross-government Interoperability programme, enabling and supporting Civil Servants to work across departments when needed.

Interoperability is about people, but it depends on platforms of standardised property technology, policies and processes to ensure security and compliance and new ways of working to ensure that together, we run a more effective, efficient and sustainable Civil Service office estate.

Work has progressed in areas of interoperability, such as the ongoing roll-out of Property Technology such as GovPass, GovPrint and GovWifi and addressing how government campuses will work together. The Interoperability Programme brings all these pieces together under one coordinated programme with a shared vision and direction.

Collaborating across government departments will be key to the success of the programme and so the successful candidate will need to have strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work with stakeholders and leads to develop and gain approval of the programme Business Case.
• Cascade vision and translate into delivery objectives for the team. Lead the programme to deliver the business case benefits and outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Business Change Manager to establish networks and groups essential for identifying and engaging cross-government stakeholders, ensuring their interests are accurately identified and captured. Build consensus among a large and diverse group of stakeholders. Co-manage senior stakeholders in close collaboration with the Programme Senior Responsible Owner (SRO)
• Secure resources required through appropriate channels. Complete planning, scheduling, and estimating for the programme.
• Oversee risk and issue management ensuring mitigations are in place.
• Ensure realisation of benefits for customers through planning and designing and that project outputs meet programme requirements.
• Work with project leads and business as usual to ensure dependencies are actively managed. Act as an arbiter and enforcer and resolve issues between the various elements of the programme.

Person specification

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished Programme Manager or Senior Project Manager with a demonstrable track record of successfully delivering complex, cross-functional programmes, preferably within the public sector or a large, multi-stakeholder environment. Given the nature of the Interoperability Programme, the successful individual must be a highly dynamic, politically astute, and self-starting leader. The role requires someone confident operating within formal governance structures, able to brief senior stakeholders, including the SRO and Programme Board, with clarity and authority, and skilled at balancing strategic vision with hands-on, day-to-day leadership.

We are looking for someone with extensive experience of managing high-profile change initiatives that require significant stakeholder buy-in and collaboration across multiple organisational boundaries. They must be capable of working autonomously, motivating project managers, and quickly establishing credibility with senior leaders (including Deputy Director-level and above) across different government departments.

Experience and Skills

Essential criteria:

• Proven experience of leading large projects or programmes through all phases of the lifecycle, including initiation, planning, and delivery.
• Strong communication skills and comfortable briefing at a senior level.
• Exceptional influencing skills with the ability to build consensus and drive adoption of change.
• Customer focused and organised with an ability to rapidly analyse complex problems and find solutions.
• Strategic focus with the capacity to maintain a clear line of sight between the tactical delivery of technology and policy and the overarching strategic vision of an effective, efficient, and sustainable Civil Service office estate.
• Resilient, adaptable and comfortable navigating ambiguity, managing competing priorities, and remaining calm and focused in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Driven and focused to deliver within the public sector.
• Collaborative and inclusive ways of working and can build trust across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Experience securing and managing resources effectively, ensuring the programme delivers demonstrable value for money.
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills, including the ability to translate complex programme information into clear reports for senior stakeholders

Desirable criteria:

• Experience delivering programmes within a sector or discipline relevant to the programme, such as the public sector, technology, or workplace and estate management
• Experience working in and with cross-functional teams and managing multiple projects simultaneously, including developing, maintaining, and executing integrated programme delivery plans
• Demonstrable experience in stakeholder engagement, including cross-organisational collaboration, and managing stakeholder expectations throughout projects.
• Ability to work across the programme lifecycle; working with the right people at the right time to navigate the project lifecycle and deliver value including using evidence to continue, change direction or stop.
• Proficiency in programme planning tools to build and maintain integrated delivery plans
• Ability to apply structured benefits management techniques, including benefits mapping, tracking, and reporting

Qualifications and Accreditations

Essential criteria:

• Formal project management qualification (eg Prince2, APMG) or equivalent experience and willingness to become certified within 12 months of taking up post

Desirable criteria:

• Programme Management Qualification (eg MSP) or equivalent experience and willingness to become certified within 12 months of taking up post
• Project Leadership Programme (PLP) or equivalent experience

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Customer Perspective
• Commercial Accumen
• Property Market Knowledge
• Innovation

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £68,568, Government Property Agency contributes £19,864 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Generous annual leave

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

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. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the communities and wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and well-being and aim to create a sense of belonging in a workplace where everyone feels valued. The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme (RIS) to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Please note - At this time GPA are unable to offer any Visa Sponsorship to candidates as we do not currently hold a visa sponsorship licence. Please do not apply for permanent roles with GPA if you will require your employer to take on the sponsorship of your current or any future visas.

Sift

The sift is due to take place week commencing 26th January 2026.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to include a CV and a 750-word personal statement. The personal statement should then align with the person specification.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Interview

GPA policy is for interviews to be held face to face, with virtual interviews only by absolute exception. The date and location will be confirmed if you are invited to interview. If you feel this will be a problem for you, please contact recruitment@gpa.gov.uk to discuss prior to submitting your application.

At interview, applicants will be scored against 3 behaviours - Seeing the Big Picture, Communicating and Influencing and Delivering at Pace.

Interview questions will be a blend of Behaviour, Technical skills, Experience, and Strength questions.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via gparecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Further Information

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Any move to GPA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : DDAT Recruitment Team
• Email : ddatsupport@gpa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : gparecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact HR@gpa.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission:
Click here to visit Civil Service Commission

Attachments

GPA Skills and Specialisms Opens in new window (pdf, 259kB)