Programme Support Officer

Job Title: Programme Support Officer
Location: Widnes (Hybrid - 2 days per week in the office)
Salary: Up to £16.08 per hour
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week
Contract: Starting April - initial 3-month contract with potential for extension and possible permanent opportunity

About the Role

The Programme Management Office (PMO) is a centralised function responsible for overseeing and supporting the delivery of multiple projects aligned to strategic priorities.

As a Programme Support Officer, you will play a vital role at the heart of the PMO, ensuring its smooth and efficient operation. Through effective administration, organisation and coordination, you will support the delivery of key programmes, including Financial Recovery and Corporate Plans.

You will help maintain programme systems, documentation and governance processes, enabling senior leaders and Elected Members to make informed decisions and ensuring strong oversight of progress and outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the first point of contact for Change and Innovation enquiries, managing shared inboxes and telephone queries
• Respond to and signpost enquiries from staff, management, Elected Members, the public and external stakeholders
• Create and maintain effective file storage and data management systems (e.g. SharePoint), ensuring compliance with data protection requirements
• Support governance processes by organising meetings, preparing agendas, taking minutes and tracking actions
• Provide comprehensive administrative support to the Programme Management Office
• Interpret and respond to project team information requests
• Support recruitment activity, onboarding and induction processes for programme resources
• Provide financial administrative support including raising purchase orders, goods receipting and handling related queries
• Use Microsoft Office tools to manage data, produce reports, and develop presentations
• Support the collection, analysis and reporting of programme management information
• Assist in organising meetings, workshops and forums to support programme delivery
• Maintain programme documentation, logs and records
• Undertake additional duties appropriate to the role as required

About You

You will be highly organised, with a methodical approach and proven experience supporting projects or programmes. You will have a strong understanding of project lifecycles and documentation, enabling you to effectively support delivery teams.

You will also demonstrate:

• Experience preparing documentation for meetings, including agendas, reports, presentations and briefings
• Strong note-taking skills, ideally including experience supporting board-level meetings
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio)
• Experience providing financial administrative support (e.g. purchase orders, payments tracking)
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior leaders and Elected Members
• Discretion and sound judgement when handling sensitive and confidential information
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Experience collating and analysing data to support reporting and governance
• Knowledge of recruitment processes and agency worker regulations (desirable)

You will be adaptable and solution-focused, comfortable working in a dynamic environment where priorities may change. A proactive, can-do attitude and a focus on achieving results are essential.

Additional Requirements

• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential due to travel requirements across the borough and beyond (reasonable adjustments will be considered in line with the Equality Act)

Connect2Halton is a trading style of Halton & Kent Commercial Services LLP- A joint venture between Halton Borough Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Halton is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.