Programme manager (maternity cover)

Programme Manager (Maternity Cover) Manchester (Hybrid working with at least a weekly presence within their centre in Manchester) The Organisation Our client is a charity supporting the needs of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans. They are now looking for a Programme Manager to join them on a full-time basis, working 35 hours per week, on a six-month fixed-term maternity cover contract. The Benefits - Salary of £38,068.16 per annum (pro rata for length of role) - 26 days’ annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays - Sector-leading 10% employer’s contributory pension - Staff counselling scheme - Cycle to Work / Technology Scheme - Season Ticket Loan - Free annual flu jab - Free VDU eye care test - Staff social budget - Dedicated training budget for each member of staff and support with Personal Development Plans - Relaxed dress code This is an excellent opportunity for a talented and passionate mental health service professional or a leader from a support or therapeutic service background to join our client's leading charity. You'll have the chance to help ensure LGBTQ individuals can access high-quality, inclusive and affirmative mental health care that supports them and equips them with the tools they need to navigate an increasingly challenging world. With flexible hybrid working, a sector-leading pension contribution and other superb benefits, you’ll have the chance to work with passionate people, advance equality and improve wellbeing, safe in the knowledge that we’ve taken care of everything else. So, if you're looking to make a meaningful impact through your leadership, read on and apply today. The Role As a Programme Manager, you will lead the delivery and ongoing development of our client's therapy programme, ensuring LGBTQ communities can access high-quality, inclusive and effective mental health support. Specifically, you will provide strategic leadership, operational oversight and clinical governance of the programme. You will oversee service performance, referral pathways, contractual targets and budget management, whilst supporting a multidisciplinary team of practitioners, volunteers and students. Working closely with senior leaders, commissioners and external partners, you will help shape and expand the organisation's mental health offer, whilst ensuring effective safeguarding, quality assurance and continuous service improvement across the programme. Additionally, you will: - Support the development of innovative service models and partnerships - Provide safeguarding leadership and specialist mental health expertise - Contribute to organisational policy development and governance activity - Support staff and volunteers to manage risk and complexity within client work - Foster a culture of learning, excellence and reflective practice About You To be considered as a Programme Manager, you will need: - At least three years’ experience working in a mental health service delivery role or overseeing the delivery of a busy support or therapeutic service - Experience of managing or supervising staff and/or volunteers in a service environment, including training or workforce development activities - Experience in assessing and managing risk, including complex safeguarding cases - Experience in leading or contributing to service planning, development, partnership working and improvement - Experience of working with data, reporting systems, and quality frameworks to manage performance and meet contract requirements - An understanding of LGBTQ communities and their mental health and wellbeing needs, including relevant therapeutic approaches (e.g. person-centred, trauma-informed, etc.), and service delivery models to support them - An awareness of NHS Talking Therapies, datasets, performance standards, and operating frameworks - Knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policies, best practice, and relevant governance, compliance, and quality standards - An understanding of commissioning, contracts, and working towards performance expectations - An awareness of current developments, policy context, and innovation in mental health service delivery The closing date for applications is 6th July 2026. Other organisations may call this role Mental Health Programme Manager, Counselling Services Manager, Therapeutic Services Manager, Talking Therapies Manager, Service Manager, Mental Health Services Manager, Clinical Services Manager, or Programme Lead. Webrecruit and our clients are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be. So, if you want to develop your career as a Programme Manager, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.