Programme Lead (LGR)

Title – Programme Lead (LGR)

Rate – £500 - £600 a day

Length – 12 months

An authority in East Anglia is looking to appoint an experienced programme professional to help shape and coordinate work supporting its developing Local Government Reorganisation and wider transformation agenda.

As the authority enters an earlier phase of planning and preparation, activity is becoming increasingly focused on developing the foundations for future change, building programme arrangements, and ensuring services are positioned to support longer-term transition requirements. With formal reorganisation activity anticipated on a later timescale, the role will support the establishment of structures, planning activity and coordination across a broad range of work areas.

This position will suit an individual who is comfortable working within a changing environment, can bring organisation and clarity to evolving priorities, and can engage effectively with stakeholders across different levels of the organisation.

About the Role

Working as part of the council’s transformation and change function, the successful postholder will support the coordination and development of programme activity associated with organisational change and future reorganisation planning.

The role will help establish effective programme controls and reporting arrangements, support governance processes, and ensure work taking place across services is visible, connected and progressing in a coordinated way.

The postholder will work with senior officers, service managers, partner organisations and wider stakeholders to maintain momentum and support delivery across a range of programme activity.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the development and maintenance of programme plans, delivery schedules and key milestones.
• Coordinate activity across a range of transformation and preparatory workstreams.
• Produce programme information including progress updates, reporting packs, risk registers and management information.
• Prepare briefing materials and updates for senior leadership teams, elected members and programme forums.
• Monitor emerging risks, issues and programme dependencies, escalating where appropriate.
• Assist with organisational readiness activity and planning for future implementation requirements.
• Build effective working relationships across council services and external partners.
• Provide support to governance arrangements, meetings and wider programme administration activity.

Person Specification

Applicants should be able to demonstrate:

• Experience supporting or delivering significant change, transformation or programme activity within local government or a comparable public sector setting.
• Knowledge of how local authorities operate and an understanding of governance and organisational change processes.
• Strong planning, coordination and stakeholder engagement skills.
• The ability to work effectively within a complex environment where priorities can evolve.
• Good organisational capability and experience managing competing workstreams and deadlines.
• Strong written communication skills, including producing reports and papers for senior audiences.

Desirable Experience

• Exposure to local government reorganisation, devolution programmes or large-scale service change activity.
• Recognised programme or project management qualification such as PRINCE2, MSP or equivalent.