Project Manager, Business Administration, Business Development

The new Great Border City Business Improvement District (BID), which covers the greater Carlisle area, is seeking a Project Manager to assist the BID Manager establishing the early stages of delivery.

The Great Border City is a new (BID), operated through The Cumberland BID Company Limited. BIDs are privately managed organisations funded by a levy on businesses within the BID area. More information can be found HERE

Following a successful ballot in the autumn of 2025, The Great Border City BID has a secure 5-year term (started February 2026). Its manifesto can be downloaded or viewed HERE

The BID includes 900 levy paying businesses spread across greater Carlisle and has projected income of circa £925,000 a year.

In its manifesto, The Great Border City BID aimed to support a vibrant, welcoming and economically strong city centre by bringing businesses together to invest collectively in Carlisle’s future. It aimed to do so by:

Bringing life to the city with year-round festivals, public art, and creative initiatives that engage locals and attract visitor.

Making Carlisle an even better place to live, work, and recruit talent. A vibrant city will attract workers, stimulate business, and drive long-term economic growth.

Working with other agencies to help provide businesses with the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive in a competitive environment.

Give Carlisle a clearer and more consistent voice as a place to visit, work, study, invest and do business.

Location: Carlisle

Reports to: BID Manager

Contract type: To be agreed

Hours: To be agreed

Salary: To be agreed

The BID Project Manager leads the planning and delivery of priority projects for Carlisle BID. The role may include BID development, renewal and ballot activity, depending on the organisation's programme. Working with the BID Board, levy payers, the local authority and other partners, the postholder will keep projects compliant, on schedule and focused on the needs of local businesses.

• Plan and coordinate BID development, renewal or expansion projects from initial scoping through to implementation.
• Gather and analyse business feedback, local economic information and other relevant evidence to define project priorities.
• Prepare clear project proposals, business plans and delivery plans that set out objectives, benefits, costs, timescales and measures of success.
• Work with the Board, local authority and professional advisers to develop appropriate BID arrangements, including the proposed area, levy approach, governance and operating model.

• Build constructive relationships with levy payers, prospective levy payers, property owners, local authorities, community partners and other stakeholders.
• Act as a clear and reliable point of contact, responding to questions and recording issues that may affect project delivery or stakeholder support.
• Plan and lead meetings, workshops, consultations and presentations for audiences with different levels of knowledge and interest.
• Maintain accurate stakeholder records and use feedback to improve proposals, communications and delivery plans.

• Maintain an agreed project plan covering milestones, dependencies, responsibilities, risks and deadlines.
• Coordinate contributions from colleagues, suppliers, advisers and partner organisations, escalating decisions or risks when required.
• Provide concise progress reports to the BID Manager and Board, including delivery status, budget position, stakeholder feedback and required decisions.
• Keep complete and accessible project records to support governance, audit, handover and future BID activity.

• Prepare and manage project budgets, monitor commitments and expenditure, and report variances promptly.
• Follow the BID's governance, procurement, data protection and financial procedures.
• Support Board and committee activity by preparing papers, recommendations, action logs and decision records where required.

• Where a BID ballot is required, develop and manage a compliant timetable in coordination with the local authority and appointed advisers.
• Support the preparation and checking of the BID proposal, business plan, voter information, database and other ballot documentation.
• Work with communications colleagues or…