Strategic Estates Programme Leads (Multiple)
GMCA
Salary:£44,075 - £48,226 Closing date:12/07/2026 Location:GMCA Hours Per Week:36.25 Term: 12 month Fixed Term Contract Additional Information: We are open to secondments for this role Job Details Strategic Estates Programme Lead (various) Grade 8 | Greater Manchester | Closing date: 12 July 2026 Transform Greater Manchester’s Public Estate This is a career-defining opportunity to lead large-scale, real-world change. GMCA’s Land & Property team is growing and we are seeking Strategic Programme Leads to drive the delivery of one of the UK’s most ambitious and complex public estate programmes. You won’t just shape strategy you will lead its delivery across a live system, influencing how land and property unlock better public services, stronger communities and long-term value across Greater Manchester. Why This Role Is Different This is not a traditional programme role. You will operate at the centre of a high-profile, multi-million-pound public estate, where success depends on your ability to: Turn ambition into visible, on-the-ground outcomes Work across organisational boundaries at pace Influence decisions that shape places, services and investment priorities Lead delivery in an environment with real complexity, ambiguity and scale At GMCA, property is a lever for transformation and you will be central to making that happen. Your Role: From Strategy to Delivery You will take a leading role in ensuring estates strategies are not just agreed but delivered, accelerated and realised. Lead Strategic Programme Delivery Drive delivery of Greater Manchester-wide estates strategies Translate high-level ambitions into structured, deliverable programmes Align investment, priorities and delivery plans to maximise impact Build and manage a robust pipeline of place-based opportunities Bring Structure to Complexity Operate across local authorities, NHS organisations and wider partners Create clarity where responsibilities, data or delivery pathways are unclear Shape and embed Local Focus Plans to enable targeted, place-based delivery Establish a more joined-up view of public estate performance and opportunity Unlock Progress and Drive Momentum Identify where programmes are stalling or underperforming Intervene confidently to remove barriers and re-establish pace Challenge inefficiencies and fragmentation across the estate Maintain delivery momentum in a system that doesn’t always align neatly Influence at Senior Levels Work with and influence senior leaders across multiple organisations Translate complexity into clear direction and priorities Build alignment where there are competing drivers and constraints Lead through collaboration, credibility and pace What You Bring You are a strategic thinker who can see how a well-managed estate can support service readiness, people welfare and improve community protection. You will thrive if you bring: Exceptional experience in property, estates or mission-critical environments. Understand the importance of risk compliance services and statutory frameworks. Proven ability to deliver capital programmes/ projects and models, at scale who can convert ideas into measurable outcomes. Confidence in collaborating with Senior Leaders, partners and operational teams through an effective leadership style, who can influence at various operational team and senior levels. Hold a relevant technical or professional property qualification (or have relevant property experience) with membership of a recognised body such as RICS or equivalents is highly recommended. Strong commercial acumen and supplier management skills, together with the ability to manage complex contracts budgets and supply chain partners, would be advantageous. We are looking for a delivery-focused programme leader who is motivated by impact and comfortable operating at scale. Leadership & Delivery Proven experience delivering complex, multi-partner programmes A strong track record of turning strategy into real, measurable outcomes Confidence handling risk, interdependencies and competing priorities Systems Thinking Experience working across organisational and sector boundaries Ability to navigate complex governance, stakeholder and funding environments Skilled at bringing structure, clarity and direction to ambiguity Commercial & Analytical Strength Strong understanding of investment, value creation and prioritisation Ability to use data and insight to inform decisions and drive action Focused on outcomes, not just process Credibility & Influence Builds trust quickly with senior stakeholders Communicates clearly, confidently and with purpose Willing to challenge constructively and drive improvement where needed The Impact You’ll Have These roles are more than property roles; they are an opportunity to build the foundations of a safer, stronger Greater Manchester. You will help build the infrastructure that enables us to serve every community in Greater Manchester with confidence and professionalism. You will make a difference not only to the organisation but to the wider region it supports. You will be at the heart of the Local Authority and Health transformation, enabling us to deliver on our five strategic focus themes of One Public Estate Optimisation; Leadership & Governance; Community Integration; Partnerships and Education, Training & Skills. In this role, you will: Shape how a major regional estate is prioritised, funded and delivered Enable better frontline services through smarter use of assets Unlock social, economic and environmental value from land and property Deliver visible change across places and communities in Greater Manchester This is a role where you will see the results of your work in real time. Why Join GMCA and what sets us apart? There has never been a more important moment for public estate transformation. We are building for the future. The organisation is undergoing significant positive change and these roles will be integral to shaping new standards of performance and capability. Your impact will help shape the infrastructure that us to protect every community. You will join a team that is: Raising the standard of public asset management Driving net zero and decarbonisation at scale Embedding collaboration across the public sector Focused relentlessly on delivery and impact Ready to Lead at Scale? If you are looking for challenge responsibility and a chance to build something meaningful this is the environment for you. If you are driven by purpose, complexity and delivery, and want to take on a role where you can genuinely shape outcomes across a major city region we’d like to hear from you. Joining our Team offers a host of Exceptional Benefits Hybrid Working Flexibility to blend office and remote work for optimal productivity and personal wellbeing Invest in your professional development We have a range of Learning and Development opportunities to support our people to learn and grow. Annual Leave Scheme enjoy 26 days of annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 31 days plus bank holidays after 5 years service. Generous Pension Scheme We are part of the local government pension scheme, which offers a 19.2% employer contribution, as well as an AVC option Corporate Transport & Green Commute Initiatives Including a Season Ticket Scheme, Cycle to Work programs and Electric Car Lease options to support eco-friendly commuting Giving something back We also offer our teams the opportunity to give back to their local communities through volunteer days. Employee Assistance Programme Confidential support available 24/7 for personal and professional matters Occupational Health Access to our dedicated team for health advice and support How to Apply Applications close 12th July 2026. Submit your CV to register your interest or request an initial confidential discussion. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Hamza.Butt@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk
Residing within Greater Manchester, and being able to regularly travel across GM sites, would be beneficial.
Your work will have a knock-on effect across the region supporting growth resilience and community outcomes and your leadership will influence Greater Manchester’s wider growth agenda, supporting initiatives such as the Greater Manchester Strategy, Housing First, Vision Zero and the Live Well strategy. Supporting Documents
↗ SEG Consultant RP
Ready to apply?
Location
Tootal Buildings, 56 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EU, United Kingdom
Job ID
1068
Supporting You Through Every Step of Your Journey
We want every candidate to feel welcomed, informed and confident when applying for a role with us.
This section brings together everything you need to succeed - from guidance on writing an authentic application to understanding how to use AI responsibly.
You’ll also find information about our Greater Manchester commitments, including our inclusive employment schemes and standards, as well as tools to help you explore your potential pay, benefits and entitlements. We’re here to ensure you have the support you need at every stage.
Working for a local authority in Greater Manchester
Local authorities across Greater Manchester are proud to be part of a shared commitment to widening access to employment and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
These commitments span a number of long‑standing schemes and initiatives designed to open doors, remove barriers and ensure all applicants feel valued and respected throughout their employment journey.
Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter
Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter
Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment
Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment
Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards
Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards
Your Pay, Your Benefits, Your Future
Explore easy‑to‑use tools that help you understand your take‑home pay and how different employment situations may affect the financial support available to you and your household.
Calculate Your Take‑Home Pay
Use this salary calculator to estimate your net pay after tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions.
Estimate your Income Tax for the current year (Gov.uk)
Check Your Benefits Entitlement
See how changes in employment, hours or salary may affect your benefits and household income.
Turn2us Benefits Calculator
Applying Authentically With AI: Our Greater Manchester Approach
Across Greater Manchester’s local authorities, we want to hear your genuine experiences, skills and motivations, expressed in your own words.
To keep our recruitment process fair and inclusive, please complete your application personally and follow the instructions carefully. AI can be used to support you - for example, to help structure your answers or as a reasonable adjustment - but your application should still reflect your authentic voice.
Applications that depend too heavily on AI‑generated content may not progress to shortlisting.
This guidance outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI, along with suggestions for using it in a way that supports you while keeping your application true to you.
What Is AI and How Do We Use It Across Greater Manchester?
AI refers to technology that can create or refine content, such as text, ideas, summaries, or planning. It can help improve productivity, problem-solving, and creativity.
We’re open to using innovative digital tools where they can help us work smarter and deliver better services for our residents. However, every use of AI is carefully considered to make sure it is ethical, responsible, and aligned with public-sector values.
When it comes to recruitment, we take a human-centred approach.
This means:
A trained hiring manager reads every application
Shortlisting is based on objective criteria required for the job
Interviews are conducted in person or via teams by the hiring manager for the role
All hiring decisions are made by hiring managers, not algorithms
AI does not make decisions in our recruitment process and our managers are being upskilled to spot AI in applications, particularly when this might have been used in a way that doesn’t feel genuine. If something in an application raises a question or concern, we will test this out with assessments or at the interview stage to confirm authenticity.
Our aim isn’t to catch anyone out but to make sure we’re getting to know the real you, giving every candidate a fair chance and finding the right person for the role.
Using AI in Your Application
When it comes to job applications, what matters most to us is you. We want to see your personality, your experience, and what excites you about joining our team.
We recognise that AI can be a helpful tool to support accessibility during the application process. If you choose to use AI for support, please read the instructions carefully and make sure your application is written in your own words, reflecting your genuine skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.
We’re looking forward to hearing your story.
How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly
Your application is your chance to show us:
Who you are
What you can bring
The values you hold
Why you want to make a difference
AI can help you organise your thoughts or improve clarity but it cannot express your unique voice, experiences, or motivations.
AI is most helpful when used to:
Help you structure the information you are providing to evidence the criteria
Give examples of how to use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors
Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something
But remember: your honesty, lived experience, and motivations are irreplaceable.
Do’s and Don’ts for Using AI in the Recruitment Process
Do:
Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement
Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure
Use it to brainstorm examples, then rewrite them in your own voice
Reflect on AI suggestions and adapt them to match your experience
Use AI to help with research, but express your understanding yourself
Don’t:
Copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your application
Let AI exaggerate or invent experience you do not have
Rely on generic statements that don’t reflect the specific role requirements
Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice
Stay Safe When Applying
To protect yourself from recruitment scams, please only apply for roles through the official greater.jobs website and associated recruitment systems. We will never ask for your personal information outside of this process.
