Programme Manager - Nature Towns & Cities

Job Introduction

Programme Manager – Nature Towns and Cities: Bradford’s Green Blue Steppingstones

Nature Towns and Cities is a national coalition of public, private and third-sector organisations committed to bringing nature and green space into urban areas. Bradford has been successful in its bid to join the programme with Bradford’s Green Blue Steppingstones – Connecting People and Nature Across Our Towns and Cities, and we are now seeking an experienced and motivated Programme Manager to lead this exciting 2-year initiative.

Bradford’s Green Blue Steppingstones aims to revitalise public green and blue spaces to enhance health, biodiversity, climate resilience, and community connection. The programme will map habitat networks, co-design improvements with local communities, engage landowners, promote environmental learning for young people, and explore sustainable long-term models for managing blue-green infrastructure. By sharing success stories and building strong partnerships, we aim to inspire local pride and create a thriving, connected network of green and blue spaces across the district.

Bradford Council has recently developed an enviable reputation for the quality of its urban landscape projects including the award-winning remodelling of Bradford City centre. Bradford’s Green Blue Steppingstones is the next exciting chapter in our placemaking journey.

The Role

The Programme Manager will lead the planning, coordination, delivery and evaluation of the Green Blue Steppingstones programme. You will work closely with community groups, landowners, public bodies, schools, and technical specialists to ensure the programme delivers measurable impact and strong community engagement. You will also help coordinate the workload of Bradford’s Nature Towns and Cities team and oversee Bradford’s application to the national Nature Towns and Cities Accreditation Scheme.

The Programme Manager will be part of a project team with the roles of Landscape Architect, Green Space Change Instigator and Community Engagement Officer also currently out for recruitment. The project team will also include a Social Prescriber and a Wood Creation Officer.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of the programme, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, budgets, and timelines.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with community organisations, environmental groups, landowners, local authorities and education providers.
• Coordinate co-design processes and support implementation of blue-green infrastructure interventions.
• Manage communications and engagement activities to ensure wide and inclusive community participation.
• Oversee monitoring, evaluation and reporting to funders, partners and governance boards.
• Ensure compliance with the Nature Towns and Cities Grant Award and council procedures.
• Support dissemination activities including public events, educational outreach, and a national conference.
• Embed best practice in sustainability, risk management and equality throughout the programme.
• Manage staff resources or contractors and foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture.
• Lead Bradford Council’s application to the national Nature Towns and Cities Accreditation scheme.

About You

You will have:

• Strong experience managing complex programmes, ideally in environmental, sustainability, placemaking or community development settings.
• Excellent partnership-building, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience of budget management, reporting and project governance.
• A commitment to co-design, climate resilience, equity and community empowerment.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple workstreams.
• A passion for connecting people with nature and improving urban environments.

How to Apply

If you are interested in joining our award winning team and would like some further information, please email Saira Ali, Team Leader of Landscape Design & Conservation at saira.ali@bradford.gov.uk

*A disclosure check with the Disclosure and Barring Service will be sought for appointees to this post. 

Employee Offer

Why work for Bradford Council? Find out why by taking a look at Our Employee Offer.pdf .

Equal Opportunities 

We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee directly or indirectly on the grounds of gender, marital status, gender re-assignment, pregnancy, sexual orientation, disability, race, colour, ethnic background, religion or belief nationality or age. And, as an equal opportunities employer, the Council strives to employ the best qualified people from a diverse range of applicants. 

 The RESPECT Allyship Programme is available to all staff, which offers the opportunity to learn more about the diverse communities & groups and provides added benefits and resources to its members.