At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a major Local Government Reorganisation programme, driving complex transformation and ensuring effective delivery.
- Company: Join a large upper-tier local authority with ambitious change agendas.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with high visibility and opportunities for senior engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local governance and shape significant transformation outcomes.
- Qualifications: Extensive local government experience and strong programme management skills required.
Step into a critical leadership role within a large, upper-tier local authority undergoing one of the most ambitious and complex transformation agendas in the sector. At the centre of this sits a major Local Government Reorganisation programme, reshaping how services are structured, delivered and governed across the system. This is an organisation operating at pace, tackling large-scale change across multiple service areas and partner organisations. With significant political visibility and high expectations for delivery, there is a clear need for strong, experienced leadership to translate ambition into outcomes.
This is not a passive programme role. This is a hands-on delivery leadership position responsible for driving progress across some of the most complex and high-risk areas of the transformation. You will take full ownership of priority programme areas, ensuring that high-level strategy is translated into structured, executable delivery plans that achieve real outcomes. You will define and manage milestones, critical paths and sequencing across multiple workstreams, ensuring that progress is understood, controlled and maintained.
A central part of the role will be moving the programme from discussion into action. You will bring pace, structure and accountability, ensuring that outputs progress from workshops and planning sessions into clear decisions and implementable actions. Working closely with Programme Directors and SROs, you will translate intent into delivery reality, establishing the architecture required to deliver successfully. You will play a key role in holding workstream leads to account, ensuring delivery outputs are met and dependencies are actively managed.
In a complex system spanning services, data, workforce, assets and technology, you will coordinate activity across verticals and horizontals, ensuring alignment and resolving cross-cutting issues before they impact progress. Risk management will be a core focus, identifying pinch points, capacity gaps and delivery risks early, and leading mitigation strategies to maintain momentum. You will also play a critical role in shaping senior decision-making, presenting clear options, trade-offs and recommendations to Programme Board, ensuring decisions are grounded in evidence and delivery reality.
Ultimately, this role is about driving a delivery-first culture, ensuring the programme moves at pace while maintaining a firm focus on safe and legally compliant Day 1 outcomes, alongside enabling longer-term transformation.
What you'll need to succeed:
- You will bring extensive experience leading complex, cross-organisational programmes within local government or similarly regulated environments.
- You will have a proven ability to translate strategy into delivery, managing multiple workstreams and navigating significant complexity and interdependencies.
- You will be confident operating at senior levels, with the ability to challenge, influence and hold stakeholders to account.
- Strong programme management capability is essential, particularly across delivery planning, governance, risk and performance management.
- You will be highly organised and outcome-focused, with a track record of driving pace and maintaining control in demanding environments.
- Your ability to identify risks early, provide clarity in ambiguity and turn complex challenges into structured delivery plans will be key to success.
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills are critical, enabling you to align diverse teams, simplify complexity and support effective decision-making at Programme Board level.
What you'll get in return:
This role places you at the centre of one of the most significant transformation programmes in the region. You will have direct influence over delivery outcomes, exposure to senior leadership and the opportunity to shape how a large local authority executes complex change. Alongside a competitive day rate, you will be part of a fast-paced, high-impact environment with strong potential for contract extension.
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Head of Programme Delivery - Local Government Reorganisation employer: Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
Join a dynamic and forward-thinking local authority in Oxford, where you will play a pivotal role in driving one of the most ambitious transformation programmes in the sector. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and a collaborative work culture, this organisation offers competitive remuneration and the chance to make a tangible impact on community services. Embrace the opportunity to lead complex change initiatives while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements.
Contact Details:
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Programme Delivery - Local Government Reorganisation
✨Get Engaged in Local Politics
Dive into your local council meetings or community boards. These spaces are packed with people who are already in the public sector and might have insider tips on upcoming temporary roles. Plus, you can connect directly with key decision-makers.
✨Stay Alert for Seasonal Recruitment
Many public sector jobs ramp up during certain times of the year, especially around election seasons or local budget planning periods. Keep your eyes peeled for recruitment drives during these windows, as they're prime times for temporary positions.
✨Leverage Online Job Portals
Don’t forget to check government job boards or websites like the local council's site for temporary postings. This is where many roles first get advertised, and applying directly here can speed things up.
✨Tap Into Your University Resources
If you're at university, make the most of your career services to discover opportunities in the public sector. They often have connections with local government employers who are looking for temporary staff and can help you polish your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Programme Delivery - Local Government Reorganisation
Some tips for your application 🫡
Emphasise your understanding of public policy:In your application, make sure to highlight any knowledge or experience you have related to public policy, governance or community engagement. Show us how you can contribute to the public sector’s mission, especially if you've worked on relevant projects or initiatives before!
Tailor your CV to the sector's expectations:When crafting your CV, focus on including experiences that showcase your ability to work within government structures or similar environments. Use clear, concise language and consider adding any volunteer work or internships that reflect your commitment to public service.
Show flexibility and willingness to learn:Since this is a temporary role, it’s crucial to convey your adaptability and eagerness to pick up new skills quickly. In your cover letter, let us know how you plan to make the most of this short-term experience and what you hope to learn from it.
Include relevant certificates and training:If you've completed any training or have certifications that are relevant to the role (like public administration, project management, or data analysis), don't forget to mention them. These can really make you stand out in the application process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Public Service
In the government and public sector, showing that you're genuinely passionate about serving the community is key. Get ready to share examples where you've contributed to social good or tackled community issues, as this will resonate with interviewers from Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited.
✨Prepare for Policy and Regulatory Questions
Expect questions about policies, regulations, or recently implemented government initiatives. Brush up on the latest news relating to public sector developments—being informed will help you demonstrate that you're ready to hit the ground running, especially in a temporary role.
✨Flexibility is Your Best Friend
Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly. Share examples where you've successfully taken on new challenges or adjusted to different team dynamics, that'll show Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited that you’re reliable and can effectively support various projects without a long onboarding process.
✨Prepare to Showcase Teamwork Skills
In the public sector, collaboration is vital. Be ready to discuss past experiences working in teams, especially in diverse environments. Highlight how you've contributed positively to group settings—this could really set you apart from other candidates in this temporary role.
