CRF Programme Manager

Salary range: Grade 14 £54,927- £57,150 p.a. plus fantastic benefits Contract: Fixed Term until 31 March 2028 Hours of work: 36 hours per week Location: Croydon Shape and deliver Croydon's Crisis and Resilience Fund, developing services and partnerships that help residents overcome financial hardship and build longer-term resilience. The role We're looking for an experienced Programme Manager to lead the development and delivery of Croydon's Crisis and Resilience Fund, bringing together commissioning, partnership working and service improvement to strengthen support for residents. As the Council's lead officer for the programme, you'll work with voluntary, community and statutory organisations to identify emerging needs, develop services and strengthen the support available to residents. You'll oversee commissioned providers and grant-funded organisations, develop effective referral pathways and ensure resources are directed towards achieving meaningful outcomes. You'll Be Responsible For

• Shaping and developing the wider programme, identifying emerging needs, opportunities and improvements.
• Building partnerships and collaborative approaches to strengthen financial resilience, homelessness prevention and poverty reduction.
• Managing contracts, grants and commissioned providers, monitoring performance and ensuring agreed outcomes are achieved.
• Overseeing programme budgets, funding allocations, financial forecasting and compliance with grant conditions.
• Monitoring programme performance and impact, using evidence to inform future priorities and service development.
• Preparing reports, briefings and recommendations for senior leaders, elected Members and governance forums. You'll also provide leadership to the Enablement Service, managing a team of 13 Enablement Officers and overseeing the operational delivery of Crisis Payments and wider programme activity. What We're Looking For We're particularly interested in candidates with experience in commissioning, programme management, service development, contract management or partnership working, alongside the leadership skills needed to deliver a complex programme. You'll Bring
• Experience managing complex services, programmes or projects, including service development and improvement.
• Experience of commissioning or contract monitoring, managing grant-funded activity or public funds, and working with external providers.
• A strong track record of developing partnerships and working collaboratively across organisations.
• Experience managing budgets, monitoring performance and using evidence to improve services and outcomes.
• Knowledge of welfare support, benefits, financial inclusion, poverty reduction and hardship.
• Operational management experience in housing, welfare support, homelessness, financial inclusion or a related service, including managing and developing large teams.
• Strong analytical, influencing and communication skills, including experience presenting reports and recommendations to senior leaders and governance forums. Why join us? This is an opportunity to shape a wider resilience programme, bringing together services, funding and partnerships to improve how Croydon supports residents experiencing financial hardship. The role combines programme development with responsibility for delivering services and demonstrating the impact of the Crisis and Resilience Fund. This is a fixed-term position linked to the duration of Crisis and Resilience Fund funding. You'll also benefit from the Local Government Pension Scheme, up to 31 days' annual leave subject to eligibility plus Bank Holidays, flexible and agile working in line with service requirements, family-friendly provisions and access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme. This vacancy may close without notice if a sufficient number of applications are received. Early application is therefore encouraged Advert Close: 18 th October 2026 Interviews wk commencing 26 th Oct 2026 About Us Croydon Council's priorities The Council balances its books, listens to residents, and delivers good sustainable services
• Get a grip on the finances and make the council financially sustainable
• Become a council which listens to, respects and works in partnership with Croydon's diverse communities and businesses
• Strengthen collaboration and joint working with partner organisations and the voluntary, community and faith sectors
• Ensure good governance is embedded and adopt best practice
• Develop our workforce to deliver in a manner that respects the diversity of our communities Key Business Plan Outcomes
• Croydon is a place of opportunity for business, earning and learning
• Children and young people in Croydon have the chance to thrive, learn and fulfil their potential
• Croydon is a cleaner, safer and healthier place, a borough we're proud to call home
• People can lead healthier and independent lives for longer
• Croydon Council's new ways of working

The Successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, if the role requires one.