Job Details
Job Title: Project Manager – Housing Transformation
Location: Slough (Observatory House)
Hours: 37 per week
Contract: Inside IR35
Reporting to: Head of Temporary Accommodation & Allocation
Direct reports: 0–2
About the role
Slough Borough Council is delivering a major transformation and recovery programme to improve services, remove inefficiencies and achieve sustainable financial savings. This role is a senior, hands-on Project Manager position within that programme, focused on delivering high-impact change in Housing services.
The immediate priority is to procure and implement a new Choice Based Lettings (CBL) system to modernise how social housing is advertised and allocated. You will lead this project end-to-end and ensure it is fully embedded into business as usual, with clear and measurable benefits realised.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the definition, planning, procurement, delivery and handover of major transformation projects within Housing.
- Manage the full lifecycle of the Choice Based Lettings project, from business case through to implementation and benefits realisation.
- Run compliant public sector procurement exercises and manage supplier delivery.
- Establish and maintain strong project governance, controls, reporting and assurance.
- Produce clear, honest progress reports for senior leadership, Members and government-appointed commissioners.
- Manage risks, issues, dependencies and change, escalating where required.
- Lead and coordinate multi-disciplinary project teams across Housing, IT, Finance, Procurement and external partners.
- Ensure projects remain aligned to corporate objectives and approved business cases.
- Oversee testing, training, transition and embedding of new systems and processes into business as usual.
- Conduct post-implementation reviews and lessons learned.
- Raise standards of project management practice and support a culture of continuous improvement.
- Ensure compliance with council policies, procurement rules, financial regulations, data protection, equality duties, safeguarding and health & safety.
- Stakeholder and leadership focus
- Work closely with senior managers, elected councillors and external commissioners.
- Influence and challenge stakeholders to maintain delivery focus and viability.
- Build collaborative relationships across departments and with external organisations.
- Support development of robust, financially sustainable business cases for change.
Essential requirements
- Recognised project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, APMP, MSP) or equivalent senior experience in complex organisations.
- Strong track record of delivering complex projects end-to-end.
- Experience working with senior stakeholders and influencing decisions.
- In-depth understanding of local government context, governance and constraints.
- Proven experience procuring and implementing a Choice Based Lettings or comparable housing allocations solution in the public sector.
- Knowledge of public sector procurement and implementation processes.
- Ability to manage governance, risks, benefits and performance using recognised project and change methodologies.
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusive service delivery.
Desirable
- Degree or equivalent experience.
- Experience of wider housing service transformation.
- Strong commercial and financial awareness.
- Ability to develop and mentor others in project delivery.
What success looks like
- A fully procured and successfully implemented CBL system.
- Clear, evidenced service improvements and benefits realised.
- Strong, transparent project governance that stands up to scrutiny.
- Improved project management capability and culture within the council.
In summary:
A senior project delivery role leading a high-profile housing transformation project, ensuring lawful procurement, effective implementation and lasting service improvement in a council under close scrutiny.
