Major Projects Programme Delivery Lead in Dudley

We are seeking an experienced Major Projects Programme Delivery Lead to provide senior leadership across a high-profile portfolio of regeneration, infrastructure, economic growth and place-making initiatives.

This is a senior delivery-focused assignment at a pivotal stage of a major transport and regeneration programme. The successful candidate will bring together multiple projects into a coherent programme, establish strong governance and drive tangible delivery across a complex public sector environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior programme leadership across major regeneration, infrastructure and place-based initiatives.
• Develop and maintain a single integrated Major Projects Programme, ensuring strategic alignment, dependencies and priorities are clearly understood.
• Lead operational readiness activity associated with major transport infrastructure and interchange projects.
• Establish programme governance, reporting, risk management, assurance and performance dashboards.
• Identify and remove barriers to delivery, driving pace, accountability and effective decision-making.
• Lead the commissioning, procurement and mobilisation of a major place-based masterplan and manage external consultants through delivery.
• Coordinate cross-organisational engagement and ensure projects are aligned with wider regeneration and investment objectives.
• Prepare high-quality Cabinet reports, executive briefings, Member reports, decision papers and programme updates.
• Develop strong relationships with regional transport bodies, combined authorities, developers, investors, consultants and strategic partners.
• Provide senior strategic advice to Members and executive leadership on programme progress, risks, opportunities and investment priorities.
• Ensure major projects create wider opportunities for economic growth, regeneration, investment and place-making.
• Establish delivery arrangements that can transition effectively into the organisation's permanent place-based operating model.

Essential Requirements

• Proven senior-level experience leading major regeneration, infrastructure, economic development or place-based programmes.
• Strong track record of delivering complex programmes within local government or another highly regulated public sector environment.
• Experience managing multiple interconnected projects and translating strategic ambitions into practical delivery programmes.
• Strong knowledge of programme governance, risk management, capital programme delivery and public procurement.
• Experience commissioning and managing external consultants and multidisciplinary delivery teams.
• Demonstrable experience working with elected Members, senior executives and high-profile stakeholders.
• Strong partnership-working experience across public sector organisations, regional bodies, developers and investors.
• Excellent understanding of regeneration, place-making, infrastructure investment and economic development.
• Exceptional communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to establish credibility quickly, operate with autonomy and provide immediate delivery leadership.
• Strong commercial and political awareness, with the judgement to manage financial, reputational and delivery risks.
• A clear bias for action, with the ability to bring structure, pace and accountability to complex programmes.

Key Deliverables

During the assignment, the successful candidate will be expected to:

• Establish effective programme governance, reporting and assurance arrangements.
• Deliver operational readiness for major transport infrastructure milestones.
• Procure, mobilise and manage the strategic place-based masterplan commission.
• Produce evidence-based strategic findings and recommendations for senior leadership and Members.
• Create an integrated programme covering major regeneration, infrastructure and place-making initiatives.
• Strengthen collaboration across internal services and external strategic partners.
• Establish a robust programme framework capable of transitioning into the organisation's permanent operating model.

This is a high-profile interim leadership opportunity for an experienced programme professional who can operate at strategic level while maintaining a strong focus on delivery.

Candidates should demonstrate a proven record of turning complex regeneration and infrastructure ambitions into structured, governed and deliverable programmes.