3 months contract with a Local Authority Job Summary: • This is a high-impact interim role (3-month duration) offering senior leadership and strategic oversight of the Council’s Improvement and Recovery Programme and Corporate Planning activities. • Reporting to the Director of Strategy, Change and Resident Engagement, the postholder will steer the PMO, drive benefit realisation, and prepare a comprehensive transition for the incoming Head of Programmes. • The role spans corporate-level change and transformation, demanding advanced programme leadership and change management expertise. Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample): • Provide interim strategic leadership for the Improvement and Recovery Programme, maintaining momentum and aligning delivery with local government best value principles. • Direct the Corporate Planning and Budget Setting programme to ensure alignment with financial strategy and budget gap closure. • Oversee and support the development of the PMO, embedding impact and benefit frameworks, delivery reporting, and success indicators. • Collaborate closely with corporate leaders, including the Chief Executive and senior stakeholders, offering expert advice on programme governance and transformation. • Develop a consistent, high-quality handover plan for the incoming Head of Service. • Lead a portfolio of transformation programmes, ensuring alignment to strategic priorities and long-term organisational goals. • Establish and promote project and change management standards, serving as a Centre of Excellence for internal best practice. • Lead the embedding of inclusive, values-based behaviours and transformational work practices across teams. • Use performance data and programme insights to identify root causes of challenges and recommend high-impact, strategic interventions. • Represent the organisation at regional and national forums, promoting interests and building productive relationships with peer bodies and partners. Skills/Experience: • Significant experience leading corporate-level transformation programmes and PMO functions in complex organisations. • Strong political acumen and the ability to operate effectively in politically sensitive environments. • Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage high-value programmes with complex stakeholder landscapes. • Expertise in strategic thinking, influencing, negotiation, and effective resource allocation. • High-level communication skills to convey technical content in accessible ways for varied audiences. • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on benefits realisation and outcomes. • Experience designing and embedding corporate PMO or performance functions. • Previous work within local or central government. • Financial and risk management experience in resource-constrained settings. Additional Information: • Recognised project/programme management qualifications (e.g. MoP, MSP).