• This is a high-impact interim role (3-month duration) offering senior leadership and strategic oversight of the Council’s Improvement and Recovery Programme and Corporate Planning activities.

• Reporting to the Director of Strategy, Change and Resident Engagement, the postholder will steer the PMO, drive benefit realisation, and prepare a comprehensive transition for the incoming Head of Programmes.

• The role spans corporate-level change and transformation, demanding advanced programme leadership and change management expertise.

• Provide interim strategic leadership for the Improvement and Recovery Programme, maintaining momentum and aligning delivery with local government best value principles.

• Direct the Corporate Planning and Budget Setting programme to ensure alignment with financial strategy and budget gap closure.

• Oversee and support the development of the PMO, embedding impact and benefit frameworks, delivery reporting, and success indicators.

• Collaborate closely with corporate leaders, including the Chief Executive and senior stakeholders, offering expert advice on programme governance and transformation.

• Develop a consistent, high-quality handover plan for the incoming Head of Service.

• Lead a portfolio of transformation programmes, ensuring alignment to strategic priorities and long-term organisational goals.

• Establish and promote project and change management standards, serving as a Centre of Excellence for internal best practice.

• Lead the embedding of inclusive, values-based behaviours and transformational work practices across teams.

• Use performance data and programme insights to identify root causes of challenges and recommend high-impact, strategic interventions.

• Represent the organisation at regional and national forums, promoting interests and building productive relationships with peer bodies and partners.

• Significant experience leading corporate-level transformation programmes and PMO functions in complex organisations.

• Strong political acumen and the ability to operate effectively in politically sensitive environments.

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage high-value programmes with complex stakeholder landscapes.

• Expertise in strategic thinking, influencing, negotiation, and effective resource allocation.

• High-level communication skills to convey technical content in accessible ways for varied audiences.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on benefits realisation and outcomes.

• Experience designing and embedding corporate PMO or performance functions.

• Previous work within local or central government.

• Financial and risk management experience in resource-constrained settings.

• Recognised project/programme management qualifications (e.g. MoP, MSP).