Advertised from 20 August 2026

Role

Make a lasting difference for families across Ayrshire

CEIS Ayrshire is seeking an experienced and values-driven Programme Manager to lead the delivery of Family Forward Ayrshire, an ambitious whole-family support programme funded through the Scottish Government's Whole Family Support Third Sector Delivery Fund.

Working with a partnership of five organisations, Family Forward Ayrshire will support over 430 families across North, East and South Ayrshire, helping families increase income, improve wellbeing, overcome barriers and progress towards employment and learning opportunities.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a large-scale collaborative programme that places families at the centre of service design and delivery.

About the role

As Programme Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the programme, ensuring delivery against targets, managing partnerships, maintaining funder relationships and creating an environment where innovative, trauma-informed and family-led practice can flourish.

You will oversee programme performance, contractual compliance, budget management, evaluation activity and the development of long-term sustainability plans. Working closely with partner organisations, local authorities, the Scottish Government and other stakeholders, you will play a key role in shaping the future of whole-family support across Ayrshire.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Significant experience managing complex multi-agency or partnership programmes
• A successful track record of delivering funded projects and achieving contracted outcomes
• Strong people leadership and staff management skills
• Experience managing substantial budgets and reporting to funders
• Excellent partnership-building and stakeholder management abilities
• Understanding of child poverty, family support and employability services
• Commitment to trauma-informed, person-centred and strengths-based approaches

Why join us?

You will have the opportunity to:

• Lead an innovative and high-profile programme
• Influence policy and practice across Ayrshire
• Work alongside passionate and experienced partners
• Help tackle poverty and inequality through whole-family support
• Be part of an organisation committed to social impact and community regeneration
• Company Pension scheme through Scottish Widows 6% staff contribution, 10% company
• 37 days annual leave per annum, including public holidays
• Flexible and supportive working arrangements

Equality and Inclusion

We are committed to building a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Applications from people with lived experience of poverty, caring responsibilities or barriers to employment are encouraged.

CEIS Ayrshire are a Living Wage and Living Hours employer.

CEIS Ayrshire and TACT are recruiting jointly as part of this programme, view the TACT posts here.

Application notes

Applications closing date in Sunday 6th September, we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we have a strong response to the vacancy. Applications are therefore encouraged as soon as possible, as the vacancy may close early if suitable candidates have been identified.

Interviews are likely to take place in the week beginning Monday 7th September, but this may be brought forward or pushed back dependent on response or availability of candidates.

Completed application forms, Equality Monitoring Forms and Self Declaration Forms should be sent to:

bryan@ceisayrshire.co.uk or Bryan Hamilton, People, Skills & Culture Manager, CEIS Ayrshire, Landek House, 44-46 Bank Street, Irvine, KA12 0LP

If you are sending by post please mark the envelope PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL

All information will be treated in strictest confidentiality in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

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