Shape the future of St Helens Borough

St Helens Borough is delivering one of the most ambitious regeneration programmes in the region. Our town centres, neighbourhoods, and community assets are undergoing major transformation — strengthening local pride, unlocking economic growth, and creating places where people want to live, work, visit, and invest.

To drive this change, we are recruiting three Programme Leads to join our Growth Delivering Prosperity Team. Each role will be the lead for a flagship programme, working with partners, communities, and delivery teams to turn bold plans into visible, high‑quality outcomes.

These are high‑profile, career defining roles in an award winning team, offering the chance to make a tangible impact on the borough’s future.

About the roles

Each Programme Lead will take responsibility for a major place‑based programme, ensuring strong governance, effective delivery, and alignment with the borough’s long‑term ambitions.

Programme Lead – Earlestown

Leading the transformation of Earlestown town centre — a heritage‑rich, strategically important market town with significant potential. You will oversee improvements to public realm, transport connectivity, market revitalisation, and development opportunities that will reshape the town’s identity and unlock new economic growth. The team have been successful with several funding streams meaning that these improvements are already in delivery, ready for building upon, and maximising positive outcomes for Earlestown.

Pride in Place

Pride in Place is a national programme focused on strengthening local identity, improving the look and feel of neighbourhoods, and building community confidence through visible, practical improvements. It is about fostering a sense of pride in the area through targeted, community-shaped projects that make a real difference to everyday people and places.

Programme Lead – Pride in Place Newton‑le‑Willows

Working with the established Neighbourhood Board, the Programme Lead will be focused on a community led approach to strengthening local pride, improving neighbourhoods, and enhancing the everyday experience of residents. You will coordinate investment in public spaces, community assets, and local centres to create a more vibrant, connected Newton‑le‑Willows.

Programme Lead – Pride in Place Town Centre East & Fingerpost

Following appointment of the Neighbourhood Board in Summer 2026, the Programme Lead will be focused on fostering a sense of pride in the community through projects which are meaningfully shaped by the community, and will make a real difference to how they feel about their local area.

You will be a part of a team leading some of the most transformational regeneration programmes in the Northwest. This is a really exciting time to be part of the St Helens journey.

The Strategic Growth Department leads St Helens Borough Council’s ambition to build a stronger, greener, more prosperous future. Bringing together regeneration, economic development, planning, housing, transport, and place‑shaping, the department delivers the programmes and policies that drive sustainable growth and improved opportunities for residents.

These Programme Lead roles sit at the heart of this mission, within the Growth Delivering Prosperity section of the department — offering the chance to make a visible impact and contribute directly to the borough’s transformation.

Who we’re looking for

We are seeking programme leaders who are:

Experienced in meaningful, ongoing community consultation.
Experienced in place‑based regeneration, capital delivery, or complex programme management.
Skilled at building strong partnerships and leading Boards.
Confident in leading multidisciplinary teams including managing external teams.
Able to translate strategic ambitions into clear delivery plans and measurable outcomes.
Passionate about creating vibrant, inclusive, sustainable places.

Please contact Mary Jefferson or Robert Gatensbury at maryjefferson@sthelens.gov.uk or Robertgatensbury@sthelens.gov.uk for an informal discussion

St Helens Council jobs

Programme Lead - Earlestown Regeneration & Pride in Place