At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the delivery of a transformative programme for local councils in Suffolk.
- Company: Suffolk County Council, driving ambitious change across the region.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team dedicated to creating sustainable new councils.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of local government transformation and improve community outcomes.
- Qualifications: Experience in programme management and a strong understanding of local government.
The predicted salary is between 74716 - 84404 £ per year.
Future Suffolk / Suffolk County Council
Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, IP1 2BX, Hybrid working
Salary: £74,716 - £84,404 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
Contract: Fixed Term or Secondment until 31 March 2028
Suffolk's councils are working together on one of the most ambitious change programmes the county has ever seen. Through Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), we're creating three new unitary councils and building the foundations for the future of local services across Suffolk. We're looking for talented people to join our programme team and play a key role in making that happen.
Your role and responsibilities:
- Lead a newly established PMO, bringing together the people, processes and information needed to deliver this programme successfully.
- Working closely with the Programme Director, maintain oversight of activity across the programme, helping ensure workstreams remain connected, informed and focused on shared priorities.
- Lead the operational delivery of the PMO, acting as the link between strategic priorities and operational delivery across the wider programme.
- Establish and maintain the delivery frameworks, including reporting, risk and issue management, dependency tracking and board cycles.
- Provide leadership and oversight to Project Managers and other PMO resources.
- Ensure the programme operates through a clear rhythm of reporting, governance and decision-making.
- Maintain visibility of progress, risks, issues and dependencies across multiple workstreams, ensuring resources remain focused on programme priorities and emerging challenges.
- Build a relationship-led, proactive and future-focused PMO culture that is recognised as a trusted point of coordination across the Suffolk system.
You will need:
- A strong understanding of local government.
- Significant experience delivering complex change or transformation programmes, including across multiple organisations and stakeholder groups.
- Experience operating at service, organisational and system-wide levels.
- The ability to build trusted relationships and work effectively with senior leaders, corporate functions and partners.
- A strong governance mindset, with the ability to balance pace, assurance and effective decision-making.
- A process-driven and organised approach, with the ability to maintain oversight across multiple priorities.
- The ability to remain calm under pressure and navigate complexity with confidence and sound judgement.
- A collaborative, proactive and solutions-focused approach.
The team:
Although hosted by Suffolk County Council, this is a genuinely system-wide role working across the full LGR system, bringing together multiple councils, disciplines and partners behind a single shared objective. The team will act on behalf of all Suffolk councils and be accountable to the Future Suffolk Implementation Board. You'll join a newly established programme team, united by a shared commitment to delivering change that protects services for residents and creates strong, sustainable new councils.
Applications from Suffolk's five councils:
Colleagues currently working for one of Suffolk's five councils are encouraged to apply. Where possible, appointments will be made on a secondment basis, allowing you to retain your substantive role.
Empowering Everyone:
We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.
Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what's acceptable.
Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.
Closing date: 11.30pm, 8 September 2026
Provisional interview date: Week commencing 14 September 2026 (subject to change).
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.
LGR Head of Programme Management Office in Ipswich employer: Suffolk County Council
At Sendsory, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for our team of Cognition and Learning Practitioners. Located in Ipswich, Suffolk, we offer competitive salaries, six training days per year, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children with SEND. Our commitment to professional development and a child-focused culture ensures that every employee can grow and thrive while contributing to a nurturing educational setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land LGR Head of Programme Management Office in Ipswich
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We think you need these skills to ace LGR Head of Programme Management Office in Ipswich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!
Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.
Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at Suffolk County Council and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Suffolk County Council
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like Suffolk County Council will want to see.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to Suffolk County Council.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at Suffolk County Council.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit
Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at Suffolk County Council. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.
