Programme Lead in London

At Southwark Council, we are delivering an ambitious programme of transformation to improve outcomes for residents while ensuring our services remain financially sustainable for the future.

This is an exciting time to join our growing Change Team. As we expand our transformation portfolio, we are investing in talented individuals who are passionate about delivering meaningful change, whether you are an experienced transformation professional or an ambitious early-career candidate with around two years of relevant experience looking to take the next step in your development.

The Change Team sits within Strategy & Communities and leads a diverse portfolio of major transformation programmes across the council. We bring together expertise in programme management, delivery management, service design, business analysis and PMO to deliver complex, high-impact change that improves services for our residents.

Working across the Corporate Residents First Transformation Programme, we partner with services across the organisation to redesign how we work, improve resident experiences, tackle the drivers of demand and create capacity to invest in local priorities. Our work directly contributes to better outcomes for Southwark's communities while supporting the council's long-term financial sustainability.

We are currently seeking 5 Programme Leads to play a key role in delivering major transformation initiatives within both Housing and Change. This is a fantastic opportunity to work on a range of high-profile and innovative projects that will challenge you, broaden your experience and help you develop new skills alongside a supportive and collaborative team.

One of our flagship programmes is the Housing Improvement Programme, an ambitious programme of change responding to the Regulator of Social Housing's C3 regulatory judgement and using it as a catalyst for long-term transformation. The programme spans end-to-end service redesign, resident self-service, new technology and systems, and significant improvements in data maturity. Together, these changes will create simpler, smarter and more responsive housing services for residents.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead complex transformation programmes involving multiple projects and workstreams.
• Establish programme governance, delivery plans and reporting arrangements.
• Work with senior stakeholders to define programme scope and outcomes.
• Oversee delivery across projects, ensuring alignment with programme objectives.
• Manage risks, dependencies and programme performance.
• Track progress and report to senior leadership and governance boards.
• Ensure programmes deliver the intended service improvements and financial benefits.

Benefits and more information:

In your role, we want you to feel supported, challenged and rewarded. You will benefit from our family-friendly policies including flexible working, home working, and a local government pension scheme, plus many other staff benefits. You will join a motivated, driven and supportive team that strives for excellence and values its members. You will also be part of a successful and high-achieving development team that is making a real difference to the lives of residents in the borough.

Key Benefits:

• Competitive Salary & Pension: Rewarding your hard work with a great package.
• Growth Opportunities: Access extensive training and development, both internally and externally to progress.

What We're Looking For

• Strong experience leading complex transformation programmes that deliver significant financial and resident benefits.
• Experience delivering cross-organisational change within large organisations.
• Strong programme governance, planning and risk management skills.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams.
• The ability to work with senior stakeholders to drive delivery.

If you choose to apply, please complete your Supporting Statement focusing on the criteria contained within the Job Description’s Person Specification that is marked as ‘S’ for ‘Shortlisting’.

Contact Information:

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Ryan Brock.

Recruitment Timetable

• Closing Date: 29/11/2026
• Shortlisting Date: 03/12/2026
• Interview Date: W/C 09/12/2026

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday (36hrs per week)

Location: Tooley Street, SE1 2QH

Type of Contract: 4x Permanent roles & 1 2 year FTC

DBS: No DBS is required for this role.

Additional Information

Please note that we are unable to accept applications from individuals who require visa sponsorship. This vacancy is subject to the council’s redeployment arrangements. Eligible redeployees will be considered first, and the vacancy may be withdrawn if a suitable redeployee is appointed.

Our Values and Behaviours:

At Southwark, our REACH values are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to being Resident-focused, Empowering, Accountable, Collaborative and Honest, in how we work with colleagues, residents, partners and communities. We welcome applications from people who share these values and are passionate about making a positive difference to our borough.

To learn more about our REACH values and behaviours, please visit: About Southwark.

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.