Programme Delivery Manager

About us

At Exchange for Change, we are building something the UK has never had before. Working across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, we are designing and delivering a Deposit Return Scheme from the ground up, creating a system that helps reduce litter and waste by encouraging people to return their empty drinks bottles and cans for recycling.

We are industry led, and driven by purpose. A national movement with a clear mission. No bottle unreturned. No can left behind.

This is not just another job. This is a rare opportunity to do meaningful work, shape a landmark national programme, and help deliver lasting positive impact for people, businesses and the planet alike.

As Programme Delivery Manager, you will support the Head of Programme Delivery in maintaining and driving the unified programme plan across Exchange for Change. You will help turn strategic intent into practical delivery, working across functions to track progress, identify risks, resolve blockers and provide clear, confident reporting to senior stakeholders.

You will be part of the Strategy and Programme team, a small, central function at the heart of Exchange for Change, reporting into the Head of Programme Delivery. The team is responsible for shaping the direction of the scheme and ensuring coordinated, effective delivery across the organisation.

This is a hands-on delivery role. We are looking for someone who is equally comfortable facilitating a senior governance meeting, chasing actions across multiple teams, producing a board-level presentation, maintaining programme controls and helping solve practical delivery challenges. Success in this role will come from a willingness to get involved, take ownership and make things happen rather than simply reporting on progress.

You’ll be based at our Milton Keynes office (30min from London Euston) with the option to work from home 2 days per week.

Develop and maintain the unified programme plan

• Support the Head of Programme Delivery through taking ownership of developing and maintaining the integrated programme plan across Exchange for Change. Ensuring milestones, dependencies, decisions and critical path activities are visible, owned and actively managed.

• Translate high-level priorities into clear delivery actions, helping teams understand what needs to happen, by when, and where their work connects to the wider programme.

• Accountability for maintaining disciplined programme controls, including action tracking, risk and issue management, dependency mapping and regular progress reporting.

Drive delivery through collaboration and confidence

• Work across functions to monitor delivery progress, surface challenges early and help teams identify practical solutions before issues become blockers.

• Build trusted relationships with internal teams, external partners and senior stakeholders, using influence, clarity and follow-through rather than command and control.

• Act as a reliable day-to-day deputy to the Head of Programme Delivery, ensuring priorities are followed through and delivery conversations are focused, constructive and outcome-led.

Prepare high-quality reporting and senior-level materials

• Support and manage programme governance through preparation of clear, accurate and well-structured progress updates, presentations and briefing materials for C-Suite and senior governance audiences.

• Turn complex delivery information into concise insights, highlighting progress, risks, decisions required and areas needing leadership attention.

• Ensure programme information is consistent, current and credible, giving stakeholders confidence in the plan and the organisation’s ability to deliver it.

• There is a clear, credible and…