Charity Programme Manager
Also advertised as: Charity Programme Manager, Community Programme Lead, Head of Programmes, Project Manager (Charity), Service Delivery Manager
Plans, delivers and evaluates a charity's projects to make sure they achieve their intended impact.
What the job involves
Charity programme managers design projects, manage budgets and staff, and report to funders on outcomes achieved. You balance the needs of beneficiaries against what funding actually allows, often working with partner organisations to extend reach. The role requires equal parts operational management and impact reporting.
Typical responsibilities
- Design and plan charitable programmes
- Manage programme budgets and staff
- Monitor and evaluate outcomes for beneficiaries
- Report to funders and trustees
- Build partnerships with other organisations
Common employers
- National and local charities
- Social enterprises
- Community interest companies
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£26,000 – £32,000 a year
With experience
£36,000 – £48,000 a year
Typical hours
35 to 37.5 hours, occasional evening events
Working environment
Office based with community site visits
Remote working
hybrid
Demand for this work
steady
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Project management
- Budgeting
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Stakeholder management
- Report writing
Transferable skills you may already have
- Project management from any sector
- Team leadership
- Funder or client reporting
Requirements employers ask for
- Project management
- Budgeting
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Stakeholder management
- Report writing
- Enhanced DBS check where working with vulnerable groups
Useful but not essential
- Project management from any sector
- Team leadership
- Funder or client reporting
- Project management qualification such as PRINCE2
- Experience in the charity or public sector
Helpful qualifications
- Project management qualification such as PRINCE2
- Experience in the charity or public sector
Licences and checks
- Enhanced DBS check where working with vulnerable groups
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Social policy
- Related subject: Development studies
- Related subject: Business management
Where this career can lead
next
Head of Programmes
next
Director of Operations
next
Chief Executive (Small Charity)
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Work has a clear, visible social purpose
- Broad range of transferable management skills
- Varied role across strategy and delivery
What people find hard
- Funding is often short-term and insecure
- Resources rarely match the scale of need
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a charity programme manager?
- preferred
- How much does a charity programme manager earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £26,000 to £32,000 a year, rising towards £48,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Project management from any sector, Team leadership, Funder or client reporting.
Related careers
Youth Worker
Supports young people's development through activities, mentoring and targeted programmes.
Fundraiser
Raises the money a charity needs through donors, events, grants or corporate partners.
Community Development Worker
Works with residents to identify local needs and build community-led projects and groups.
Volunteer Coordinator
Recruits, trains and supports volunteers so a charity or organisation can deliver its services.
Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
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