Service Lead - Transformation Projects

Interim Service Lead - Projects | Transformation

Location: Home Counties

Organisation: Local Authority

Working Pattern: Hybrid - 40% office based

Department: Transformation, Customer & ICT

Reports to: Service Director - Transformation, Customer & ICT

The Role

We are supporting a local authority with the appointment of an experienced Interim Service Lead - Projects to provide senior leadership across its corporate projects and transformation portfolio.

The post will lead the Council's Projects Service, with responsibility across project governance, service redesign and capital transformation , while playing a key role in the delivery of wider organisational transformation, continuous improvement and strategic change.

Operating as a senior member of the Transformation, Customer & ICT leadership team, the successful candidate will provide strategic advice to Directors, Members and Corporate Board and will deputise for the Service Director where required.

This is a broad leadership role requiring someone who can combine strong programme and project governance with hands-on experience of delivering complex organisational transformation within local government.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Council's Projects Service and provide effective leadership across project governance, service redesign and capital transformation.
• Oversee and drive major transformation activity across the organisation, improving efficiency, service delivery and customer experience.
• Provide strategic advice to the Service Director, Executive Directors, Members and Corporate Board.
• Act as a senior advisor on project, programme and transformation matters.
• Strengthen project and programme governance, ensuring appropriate methodologies, controls, reporting and escalation processes are in place.
• Lead and support major corporate projects and transformation programmes.
• Ensure transformation activity is informed by robust data, management information, performance metrics and benefits tracking.
• Drive continuous improvement and identify opportunities to improve organisational efficiency and value for money.
• Support the development and delivery of the Council's transformation strategy and annual service plan.
• Lead significant organisational change, including new operating models, structures, systems and ways of working.
• Build strong relationships across the Council and with external partners.
• Provide leadership and performance management to senior managers within the service.
• Manage resources and budgets effectively and ensure strong financial control.
• Represent the Council at senior internal and external forums where required.
• Deputise for the Service Director - Transformation, Customer & ICT.

The successful candidate will have:

• Significant experience working within local government or a comparable public sector environment .
• Strong experience delivering corporate transformation and organisational change .
• A proven track record of leading complex projects and programmes within a large organisation.
• Significant senior leadership and team management experience.
• Experience implementing new organisational structures, systems, processes and ways of working.
• Strong knowledge of project and programme governance , including methodologies, reporting, risk, assurance and escalation.
• Experience working with senior leadership teams, elected Members and other senior stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of the political and operational environment within local government.
• Experience managing budgets and resources and delivering value for money.
• A strong understanding of benefits realisation, performance management and data-led decision making.
• Experience working successfully with external partners and third-party organisations.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
• Recognised Project Management qualification .
• Membership of a relevant professional body would be advantageous.

Candidate Profile

We are particularly interested in candidates who have operated at Head of Transformation, Head of Programmes/PMO, Head of Corporate Transformation, Service Lead or Assistant Director level within local government.

The strongest candidates will be comfortable operating between strategy and delivery: capable of advising senior leaders while also providing challenge, structure and grip across complex transformation programmes.

Experience of Local Government Reorganisation, unitary transition, large-scale operating model change or major council-wide transformation would be particularly valuable.

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