Programme Manager – AR

Job Details

Programme Manager – Southwark Council

Note: The umbrella pay is £550 – 650 per day depending on experience.

Purpose 

The Programme Manager will lead on the Repairs Improvement Programme with specific responsibility for delivering the following projects:

  • Organisational development and culture (L&D programme and culture change)
  • Policy and procedures (new repairs policy and processes aligned to the new workforce strategy and operating model)
  • Operating model (new structure, workforce strategy, implementation of changes resulting from a review of trade and craft terms and conditions), development of the DLO to a more productive delivery unit and reduction in reliance on sub-contractors)

The programme manager will work within a multi-disciplinary team including delivery leads and business analysts to ensure enabling technology is delivered inline with the new operating model.

See Report Better Repairs.pdf for details of the full programme.

Responsibilities 

  1. Lead the development of the strategy, vision, planning and delivery of complex, high-value transformation programmes working with senior responsible officers to define programme priorities to ensure outcomes, milestones and benefits are achieved to agreed time, cost and quality, and aligned to strategic priorities.
  2. Apply a flexible and proportionate blend of delivery methods, including Agile, PRINCE2, MSP, service design and Lean methodologies to deliver transformation projects and programmes including development of the programme vision and strategic impact securing successful outcomes and benefit realisation.
  3. Assemble and lead multi-disciplinary delivery teams, drawing on service design, business analysis, finance, ICT and operational expertise to ensure programmes are insight-led, feasible and sustainable with the commissioning and management of external expertise where applicable.
  4. Develop and maintain comprehensive programme and project delivery plans, including budget management, risk, issue, dependency and benefit registers, ensuring clear visibility and accountability for progress across the programme lifecycle.
  5. Provide robust programme governance and assurance, prepare and present high-quality reports and documentation for boards, Members and senior officers including Corporate Management Team, Cabinet and scrutiny committees to support confident, evidence-based decisions and to represent the council at internal and external meetings.
  6. Advise and support senior responsible officers within each department of the Council to progress projects and to align efforts to corporate change priorities. Provide an honest and transparent view of programme risks and issues to senior stakeholders.
  7. Drive delivery performance and proactively manage risks, issues, dependencies and assumptions gaining the support of all participants through persuasion, formal channels, negotiation to resolve barriers, maintain momentum, and ensure delivery teams and benefits owners remain focused on outcomes.
  8. Champion resident-focused delivery, ensuring that service design, data and engagement are used to shape priorities, improve equity, and strengthen outcomes for Southwark’s communities visibly championing and encouraging change.
  9. Collaborate with colleagues in strategy and policy functions to keep up to date with national and local developments that are relevant to the programme and to change functions.
  10. Ensure programme governance, design and assurance are integrated and mutually reinforcing, by collaborating closely with Heads of Change, Service Designers & Business Analysts and PMO leads.
  11. Line manage programme delivery staff and to matrix manage other programme and project delivery resource as required, ensuring a high-performing team with a focus on learning and development.
  12. Coach and support colleagues in project and programme delivery disciplines, sharing best practice, promoting consistency, and helping to build the council’s internal change capability ensuring compliance with related standards including procurement, finance and legal
  13. Ensure efficient and cost effective management of programme and project budgets, where allocated.
  14. Promote continuous improvement in delivery practice, capturing lessons learned, identifying opportunities to innovate, and ensuring that methods evolve to reflect emerging best practice.