Programme Manager

An exciting, life‑changing career with fabulous opportunities. Be part of something extraordinary. Build something that outlasts you. Chiltern Way Academy Trust is looking for an Estates Programme Manager to lead the planning and delivery of our capital works programme across every campus we run, giving specialist provision for young people with ASC and SEMH needs the buildings and environments they deserve. Chiltern Way Academy Trust is a highly successful, award-winning specialist Multi Academy Trust with school sites across Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Wokingham. In 2026 we were rated Exceptional for Inclusion by Ofsted and named among the Sunday Times Best Places to Work. Our employees deliver innovative, transformational education and exceptional care that changes life chances every day, and this role sits right at the centre of making that possible: safe, compliant, well-presented sites that our young people and employees can be proud of. The role: Working alongside the MAT Estates Manager, you will lead the planning, coordination and delivery of estates projects and capital works across the Trust, from minor works through to refurbishment and condition-improvement schemes. You will develop project briefs, scopes and programmes, manage tenders and contractors, monitor budgets, and report progress to the Chief Operations Officer and FPGP Committee. You will also support capital funding and grant applications, condition surveys, and the Trust's asset management plans, while helping to embed consistent standards for maintenance, compliance and health and safety across all school sites. About you: You will bring proven project or programme management experience in an estates, construction or facilities environment, strong organisational and stakeholder skills, and the drive to build a structured career within a growing, values-led Trust. Experience working across multiple sites, or within an education or public sector setting, is an advantage but not essential. Why Join Us: A genuine programme of your own: real capital budgets, real projects, and the autonomy to plan and deliver them from brief to handover. A funded development pathway toward the Trust's wider estates leadership function, including recognised qualifications such as IOSH, NEBOSH, or project and programme management routes. Variety without chaos: multiple school sites and a live pipeline of works, backed by a Trust that has already invested in dedicated project and programme management capability. Work that means something: every improvement you deliver directly supports specialist education for young people with ASC and SEMH needs. The recognition of joining an Ofsted Exceptional Inclusion and Sunday Times Best Places to Work employer. Local Government Pension Scheme membership, generous annual leave, and access to the Trust's employee wellbeing and assistance programmes. How To Apply : For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Gaynor Howitt, Estates Manager, details below. Chiltern Way Academy Trust welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are at the heart of everything we do, and we actively promote a culture where everyone is treated fairly and has the opportunity to thrive. Chiltern Way Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check. Chiltern Way Academy Trust will comply with its obligations under the GDPR and other data protection legislation.