Programme Manager - Farming & Rural Affairs

We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.

Salary: £39,152-£44,075 Grade: F15
Location: East Midlands (Hybrid)
Directorate: Place
Reports to: Director of Climate Resilience & Green Growth

Help shapethe future of the East Midlands' rural economy

The EastMidlands is home to thriving rural communities, world-class agriculturalbusinesses and nationally significant landscapes. As devolution creates newopportunities for investment and decision-making, we're looking for a ProgrammeManager - Farming & Rural Affairs to help ensure rural places are atthe heart of our region's future.

This is anexciting opportunity to lead the development and delivery of EMCCA's rural andfarming agenda, influencing policy, shaping investment and working withpartners to create sustainable economic growth across the East Midlands.

If you haveprogramme management experience, enjoy working across a broad range of policyareas and are passionate about supporting rural communities and businesses,we'd love to hear from you.

About therole

You'll lead thedevelopment and delivery of programmes that strengthen the rural economy andensure farming and rural priorities are embedded across EMCCA's widerstrategies and investment plans.

Working acrossteams and with partners from local government, farming organisations,businesses, universities, government agencies and community groups, you'lldevelop projects that support productivity, skills, infrastructure, climateresilience and sustainable growth.

You'll alsoprovide expert advice to senior leaders and elected members, helping shape howdevolved powers and funding can deliver meaningful outcomes for ruralcommunities.

What you'llbe doing

You'll:

• Lead the development and deliveryof EMCCA's Farming & Rural Affairs programme.
• Design and manage programmes andprojects that support rural economic growth, farming, productivity andenvironmental resilience.
• Embed rural priorities across widerstrategies covering economic development, transport, housing, skills,energy, climate resilience and place.
• Develop business cases, fundingbids and investment proposals that secure resources for rural initiatives.
• Manage programme governance,monitoring, evaluation, financial oversight and risk management.
• Build strong partnerships withlocal authorities, DEFRA bodies, farming organisations, land managers,businesses, universities and community organisations.
• Provide high-quality briefings andadvice to senior leadership, the Mayor and Members.
• Represent EMCCA at regional andnational meetings, conferences and stakeholder events.
• Identify emerging opportunities andensure EMCCA remains at the forefront of rural policy and programmedevelopment.

What we'relooking for

We're lookingfor someone who combines strong programme management skills with the ability towork collaboratively across a wide range of stakeholders and policy areas.

• Proven experience deliveringcomplex programmes or strategies, ideally within farming, rural affairs,economic development or a related field.
• Strong project and programmemanagement experience, including governance, commissioning, delivery andevaluation.
• Experience establishing anddelivering programmes in complex stakeholder environments.
• Excellent communication andrelationship-building skills, with the ability to influence seniorstakeholders and partners.
• The versatility to work confidentlyacross a broad range of policy and programme areas.
• A strong understanding of at leastone of the following areas:
• Economic growth
• Skills and employment
• Transport
• Housing
• Energy
• Nature recovery
• Climate resilience
• Strong financial awareness andexperience managing programmes that deliver value for money.
• A relevant degree or equivalentprofessional experience.
• Experience working with ruralbusinesses, agricultural organisations or farming communities.
• Experience convening partnerships,facilitating stakeholder groups or delivering conferences and events.
• Membership of a relevantprofessional body or evidence of continued professional development.

This is anopportunity to influence the future of one of England's largest and mostdiverse rural regions.

You'll helpshape how devolved powers and investment improve outcomes for ruralcommunities, businesses and the environment while working alongside passionatecolleagues and partners committed to delivering long-term regional impact.

At EMCCA, ourvalues guide everything we do:

• Lifting our region - championing opportunities thatbenefit our people, businesses and places.
• Working together - building trusted partnershipsand bringing diverse voices together.
• Making an impact - turning ambitious ideas intopractical delivery.
• Being human - leading with authenticity,respect and inclusion.

If you'relooking for a varied and rewarding role where you can influence regionalpolicy, develop innovative programmes and make a lasting difference to ruralcommunities across the East Midlands, we'd love to hear from you.

Closing Date: 06 September 2026

Interview Date: w/c 21st September

• Up to 10 days paid leave in a 12-month period for caring responsibilities
• A hybrid work model with remote working opportunities
• Maternity, Paternity, IVF, Adopters and Foster Carers support
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• 30 days holiday (plus 2 with continuous service) + bank holidays + your birthday (up to five extra days through salary sacrifice)