Programme Control Officer - WMF2612e

Location: Penrith, Kendal or Barrow
Contract Type: Permanent
Job reference: REQ00000019426
Date posted: 14/01/2026
Application closing date: 01/02/2026
Location: Kendal
Salary: £38,220 - £39,152
Contractual hours: 37
Basis: Full time

Job description

About this opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to work within the Thriving Places Directorate within the Sustainable Transport Team. This team develops and delivers strategies, policies, and projects to support inclusive, sustainable and integrated Highways / transport projects across the Westmorland & Furness area.

This is a key post based within the Major and Strategic Developments Team supporting the development of infrastructure projects, responding to major projects (including Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs)) and contributing to place-based economic growth.

This role will provide a programme control function for major infrastructure projects including the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project and large-scale planning applications for BAE Systems in Barrow. Both these workstreams have planning performance agreements in place and require accurate management and forecasting of staff cost information to support cost recovery.

As part of this role, you will:

Manage and control a wide variety of programme delivery information including financial data, programme milestones, approvals and both internal and external reporting requirements.
Project manage small to medium scale projects.
Support project or programme leads in the management of large, complex or high value projects or programmes.
Support the delivery of projects within a programme of activity.

Who we are looking for…
To fulfil this role we are looking for a passionate, motivated and organised individual with the following experience, skills and knowledge:

Experience of project or programme management techniques and methodologies.
Experience of operating IT systems and software (including Microsoft Excel)
Ability to work systematically and to effectively prioritise tasks.
Positive approach to team working.
Solution-focussed with ability to resolve challenges through own initiative.

The role requires a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check due to the need to access information from external partners’ sharepoint sites.

We are supportive of a hybrid approach to working, including working from home and from our offices in Penrith, Kendal and Barrow.

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site. Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)

Would you like to find out more?

For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments:

• Post Specification
• Role Profile

If you have any queries about this role or would like an informal chat about this opportunity, then please contact Guy Kenyon, Senior Programme Manager, on 07881 007838.

To apply please click here

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 01/02/2026
Interview date: TBC

We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Interview details such as venue/timings will be shared with successful candidates, following the shortlisting process. If you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.

Safer Recruitment & DBS

At Westmorland and Furness Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and we expect all workers, employees and volunteers to share our commitment.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.

As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.

We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old (someone who has been looked after by a local authority at any point, for any length of time, e.g. foster care, residential care, or under the guardianship of a local authority) that meet the essential criteria for the role.