Programme Director – Capital Programmes
Salary: £130,000 plus potential market allowance where applicable of 10-15%
This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the UK’s most significant cultural capital programmes.
The Programme Director will take responsibility for delivering the St Pancras Transformed programme, an ambitious and high profile investment that will redefine the British Library’s estate, enhance its public offer and support its long term strategic ambitions.
Operating at the heart of the organisation’s leadership, the role combines programme delivery at scale with strategic influence, offering the opportunity to shape a landmark transformation within a nationally significant institution
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, this role plays a central part in shaping and delivering the British Library’s strategic priorities, with a particular focus on the St Pancras Transformed programme. Working closely with the Executive Leadership Team, it sits at the intersection of estate transformation, operational delivery and long term organisational impact.
Acting as the principal advisor to the Senior Finance Director/Deputy Chief Executive, the role provides strategic and operational leadership for one of the Library’s most significant investments. It offers a unique opportunity to lead a flagship programme that will redefine how the Library operates, engages its audiences and positions itself for the future.
The role is accountable for the successful delivery of the St Pancras programme, ensuring it is delivered safely, to time, to quality and within budget, while maintaining continuity across the Library’s operations. It requires a leader who can combine strategic oversight with a strong grip on delivery, ensuring the programme is fully aligned with organisational priorities and embedded within a One BL approach.
Beyond programme delivery, the role contributes to wider organisational leadership, using the St Pancras programme as a catalyst for change, innovation and capability building. It brings together estate transformation, stakeholder engagement and cultural ambition to deliver meaningful and lasting impact.
The position carries significant responsibility for governance, compliance and assurance, ensuring delivery meets the highest standards of safety, sustainability and public accountability. It also requires confident engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including representation at committees, boards and across the wider cultural and government landscape.
Leadership of the programme is visible and collaborative, requiring the ability to inspire confidence across multidisciplinary teams and delivery partners. The role fosters a culture of high performance, continuous improvement and innovation, while supporting individuals and teams to deliver at their best.
Externally, the role acts as an advocate for the St Pancras transformation, building strong relationships across government, industry and the cultural sector, and positioning the programme as a significant contribution to the UK’s cultural and research infrastructure.
A strong commitment to sustainability, equality, diversity and inclusion underpins all aspects of the role, ensuring that the programme reflects the Library’s values as well as its ambitions.
As a British Library leader, this role carries responsibility for embracing and leading change, maintaining a clear focus on outcomes, and placing the Library’s users, staff and partners at the centre of decision making and delivery. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the role also contributes to the collective leadership of the organisation, supporting an inclusive, collaborative environment and the effective delivery of the Library’s wider strategic priorities.
The Programme Director will:
- Provide overall leadership and accountability for the St Pancras Transformed programme
Leading the programme from inception through to completion, ensuring it is clearly defined, well governed and effectively delivered, with a strong focus on achieving strategic objectives and long term value for the Library - Advise senior leadership on programme strategy and performance
Acting as a trusted advisor to the Senior Finance Director/Deputy Chief Executive, providing clear, evidence based advice on programme direction, delivery progress, risks and opportunities, and supporting informed decision making at the highest level - Ensure effective delivery against time, cost and quality objectives
Maintaining rigorous oversight of programme performance, including scheduling, budget management and quality assurance, while ensuring that risks are actively identified, managed and mitigated - Establish and embed a robust programme management approach
Strengthening programme governance and controls through the development of a consistent and effective programme management office approach, improving planning, reporting, risk management and overall delivery capability - Lead safe, compliant and sustainable delivery
Ensuring that all aspects of the programme are delivered in line with relevant legislation, regulatory requirements and best practice, with a strong emphasis on health and safety, environmental sustainability and responsible delivery - Oversee commercial strategy and delivery partnerships
Leading the appointment and management of consultants, contractors and delivery partners, ensuring that commercial arrangements are effective, performance is actively managed, and strong, collaborative relationships are maintained - Build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships
Engaging with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, navigating complex organisational and external environments, and ensuring alignment, confidence and support for the programme - Act as a visible leader and ambassador for the programme
Representing the programme across the organisation and externally, providing clear communication and high quality reporting to senior stakeholders, and reinforcing confidence in delivery and outcomes - Contribute to wider organisational leadership
Playing an active role as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, supporting cross organisational collaboration, contributing to strategic discussions and helping to shape the future direction of the Library - Champion values, culture and inclusion
Promoting a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and high performance, while embedding sustainability, equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of programme delivery
Through this role, the Programme Director will play a critical part in delivering a transformational programme of national significance, strengthening the British Library’s estate, enhancing its public offer and supporting its long term strategic ambitions.