Programme Consultant - Corporate Estate TransformationNewham Council £750 per day Hybrid WorkingContract / Fixed Term Immediate Start RICS PreferredReporting to: Director of Property & EstatesProgramme Value: £8m savings targetContract Length: Initial 12 months (extendable)Location: Newham (hybrid working)The FocusThe Council's corporate estate comprises approximately 70 buildings, but the overwhelming majority of cost - and therefore opportunity - sits within three priority assets:Principal Office Buildingc. £7m annual running costApproximately 60% vacantCurrent value estimated at £20-30m versus a £90m acquisition cost (2007)Two Town Hall BuildingsThese assets are the clear programme priority. While the wider estate will remain under review, this role is about securing the right decisions - and implementing them - for the assets that matter most.Purpose of the RoleTo take the external options appraisal, rigorously challenge and refine it, and then own delivery.You will:Stress-test assumptions and financial modellingIdentify viable options and strip out unnecessary complexityBring clarity to politically sensitive and high-value decisionsDrive implementation across property, FM, legal, planning and governance workstreamsThis role requires someone who makes things happen, not someone who simply manages a plan.Key ResponsibilitiesChallenging & Sharpening the OptionsCritically interrogate the external appraisal and form a clear, independent view on the preferred path for each priority assetCommission and direct additional specialist advice where required - acting as a commercially sharp and demanding clientTranslate complex options into clear, decision-ready recommendations for senior leadership and elected membersIdentify near-term savings (FM contract reviews, leasing strategies, licensing of vacant space) and progress them in parallel with longer-term decisionsPrincipal Office Building - Core WorkstreamThis is the single most important task in the programme.You will:Develop and drive a clear strategy covering consolidation, vacant space options and a credible route to materially reducing annual running costsLead engagement with departments and service leads - challenging assumptions on space need and driving consolidation decisionsCo-ordinate legal, planning, commercial and FM workstreams to progress the preferred optionTake decisions through Cabinet and other governance processes, supported by high-quality papers and briefingsTown Halls - Parallel WorkstreamDefine the future role of each town hall within the corporate estateIdentify opportunities for cost reduction, income generation or more effective useOversee any capital or change projects required to support agreed future usesWider Estate OversightMaintain visibility of the wider portfolio without allowing it to distract from priority assetsProgress straightforward, low-complexity savings such as lease exits, contract renegotiations and energy efficienciesDepartmental Engagement & Occupation PlanningLead structured engagement with service heads, HR, IT and operational teamsBuild a robust, evidence-based understanding of actual space requirementsEnsure rationalisation decisions support service delivery, not undermine itGovernance, Reporting & Stakeholder ManagementRun programme governance, including risks, decisions, milestones and savings trackingPresent regularly to Directors, senior leadership and elected membersManage organisational sensitivities with pragmatism, authority and political awarenessEssential ExperienceProven delivery of complex corporate estate or major property transformation programmesStrong track record of challenging and directing external property advisorsSenior-level experience within or alongside local government or the wider public sectorAbility to engage across large organisations and bring stakeholders with you through changeStrong commercial understanding of running costs, FM contracts, occupation strategy and asset optionsExcellent written and verbal communication, particularly for member-level decision-makingSelf-starter able to operate with autonomy, pace and resilienceDesirableRICS qualified (General Practice, Project Management or Building Surveying)Programme management qualifications (MSP, Prince2 or similar)Experience of corporate estate rationalisation within local government or central governmentAdecco acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers. The Adecco Group UK & Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer.By applying for this role your details will be submitted to Adecco. Our Candidate Privacy Information Statement explaining how we will use your information is available on our website.