Interim Programme Manager - LGR

Programme Manager - Local Government Reorganisation

Local authority in the South East

Flexible / hybrid working | County-wide travel required

A local authority in the Oxfordshire area is looking for an experienced Programme Manager to lead and deliver high-profile service transformation and change programmes across the organisation.

This is a senior delivery role, focused on improving outcomes, supporting financial sustainability and helping the Council develop new ways of working across services.

You will lead programmes across the full lifecycle, from vision and strategy through to scoping, design, delivery and benefits realisation. The role will involve providing strategic support to senior leaders, SROs, Heads of Service and portfolio leads, ensuring programmes are aligned to organisational priorities and delivered within agreed time, cost and quality criteria.

You will act as a key point of contact for high-profile programmes, building strong relationships with internal teams, external partners, government bodies, councils and agencies.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and coordinating multiple related projects and workstreams
• Designing and overseeing programme plans aligned to transformation objectives
• Establishing programme governance, reporting, assurance and PMO arrangements
• Managing risks, issues, dependencies, change control and benefits realisation
• Preparing and presenting progress reports, highlight reports and RAG updates to senior stakeholders and governance boards
• Managing programme budgets, expenditure, procurement and supplier activity
• Providing commercial challenge and ensuring value for money
• Developing stakeholder engagement and communication plans
• Leading, coaching and supporting multidisciplinary teams
• Supporting continuous improvement, service transformation and organisational change

The ideal candidate will have:

• Proven programme and project management experience, ideally within local government or the wider public sector
• Strong knowledge of programme management methodologies, frameworks and governance
• Experience leading service transformation, change management or continuous improvement programmes
• Excellent stakeholder management and leadership skills
• The ability to bring about change in challenging or politically sensitive environments
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly
• Experience managing budgets, financial controls, procurement and supplier relationships
• A relevant programme/project management qualification or equivalent experience, such as MSP, PRINCE2, Lean or 5-Case Model
• The ability to facilitate workshops and engage diverse stakeholder groups
• A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and continuous learning

This is a strong opportunity for a senior Programme Manager who can bring leadership, governance and delivery discipline to complex transformation programmes, while supporting better outcomes and financial sustainability across the council.