Programme Manager - Local Government Reorganisation

6 Month Contract With A Local Authority Job Purpose To lead the delivery of complex Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) workstreams, ensuring new council arrangements are implemented successfully, safely and in line with agreed timescales, governance requirements and programme outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the planning and delivery of one or more LGR workstreams, ensuring agreed outcomes, milestones and deliverables are achieved. Manage workstream delivery activities, maintaining progress against agreed scope, schedule, budget and deadlines. Coordinate multiple dependencies, stakeholders and activities to support the successful delivery of programme objectives.

Develop and maintain comprehensive workstream delivery plans, including risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies, escalating matters where appropriate. Build and maintain effective working relationships with senior leaders, service representatives, subject matter experts and other key stakeholders. Support the preparation of decision papers, programme reports and other documentation for governance and decision-making forums.

Ensure appropriate governance, assurance and programme management standards are consistently applied across the workstream. Work closely with services to support preparation for Vesting Day, ensuring readiness and continuity of critical services. Identify delivery challenges and develop practical, solution-focused approaches to resolve issues and maintain programme momentum.

Contribute to a collaborative, accountable and solution-focused programme culture that supports the successful transition to the new councils.

Requirements

Strong programme and project management experience gained within large, complex transformation or organisational change programmes. Proven ability to lead and deliver complex workstreams, managing scope, milestones, risks, issues, dependencies and competing priorities. Excellent stakeholder engagement, influencing and relationship management skills, including the ability to work effectively with senior leaders.

Demonstrable experience of managing multiple workstreams, priorities and competing demands simultaneously. Strong risk, issue, dependency and change management skills. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify challenges and develop practical, deliverable solutions. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, decision papers and presentations for senior stakeholders.

Experience of working within formal governance, assurance and decision-making frameworks in complex organisations. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-profile and politically sensitive environment. Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to maintain delivery focus under pressure.

A collaborative and proactive approach, with the ability to work across organisational boundaries to achieve shared outcomes. Additional Information Location: Surrey County Council Hours per Week: TBC Bi-Weekly Payments