Agile Practice Lead

North Yorkshire Council; York and North Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in York and North Yorkshire seeks an Agile Practice Lead to drive Agile methodologies across the organisation. The role involves developing and scaling Agile approaches, coaching teams, and managing complex projects. Successful candidates will have significant experience in Agile project delivery and leadership skills. The position offers competitive salary and benefits including generous holiday entitlement and a strong pension scheme. Hybrid working options available.

Benefits

28-34 days holiday entitlement

Generous pension scheme with 18.1% contribution

Fitness discounts with various gyms

Lifestyle savings on high-street retailers

Qualifications

• Experience delivering Agile projects/programmes in a large, complex organisation.
• Strong leadership skills with experience of managing teams.
• Excellent knowledge of Agile methodologies and their application.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a clear roadmap for scaling Agile approaches.
• Lead engagement initiatives to build understanding of Agile principles.
• Manage strategic programmes throughout the transformation lifecycle.

Skills

Agile methodologies

Leadership skills

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Education

Professional qualifications in Agile Project/Programme Management

Tools

PRINCE2

MSP

Job description

Salary and Contract

Salary: £51,356 - £55,539

Grade: N

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time and Part time available

Location

Hybrid working – a combination of home working together with an office base at one of our local transformation hubs in Northallerton, Harrogate, Scarborough, or Selby (minimum of 2 days office working)

Overview

Are you passionate about embedding Agile practices and driving transformational change? Would you like to play a pivotal role in shaping how North Yorkshire Council delivers its ambitious transformation portfolio? Do you have the expertise to lead the development and adoption of Agile principles across a large, complex organisation?

Our Team

At North Yorkshire Council, our Transformation Department is at the heart of organisational change. We work across all Council services to deliver improved efficiency, better customer experiences, and continuous improvement.

The Projects and Programmes Service leads exciting transformation initiatives using best practice methodologies. We collaborate with colleagues and partners to define and deliver change that makes a real difference. No two projects are the same, but behind each is a skilled professional driving delivery and embedding change.

The Role

We are looking for an Agile Practice Lead to champion and embed Agile project and programme management practices across the Transformation function and wider organisation. You will:

• Develop and deliver a clear roadmap for scaling and maturing Agile approaches.
• Provide expert advice, coaching, and mentoring on Agile practices to colleagues at all levels.
• Lead engagement and education initiatives to build organisational understanding and adoption of Agile principles.
• Manage strategic cross‑cutting programmes and/or large, complex projects throughout the transformation lifecycle.
• Line‑manage a team of project professionals and contribute to the leadership of the Projects and Programmes Service.

This is a leadership role requiring strong influencing skills, the ability to resolve complex issues, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

What you will bring

To succeed, you will have:

• Excellent knowledge and practical application of Agile methodologies, alongside other project and programme management approaches (e.g., PRINCE2, MSP).
• Significant experience delivering Agile projects/programmes in a large, complex organisation.
• Strong leadership skills, with experience of managing teams and coaching others.
• The ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels, using excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Professional qualifications in Agile Project/Programme Management or equivalent experience.

For a detailed outline of the role, please see the attached job specification.

What can we offer you

When you join us, you are entitled to our outstanding benefits and wellbeing plan as part of your position.

• Our holiday entitlement starts at 28 days rising to 34 days (pro‑rata) per year with continued service, plus public holidays.
• Pension: save for your retirement with our generous local government pension scheme with an 18.1% contribution.
• Fitness & Rewards: Fitness discounts with various Gyms across the county.
• Stay on top of your game and save £££.
• Lifestyle Savings: explore a huge range of discounts to help you save money across hundreds of the UK’s favourite high‑street and online retailers.

Please click our Total Rewards link below to see the full range of benefits available.

Contact

For more information or to arrange an informal conversation about this opportunity, please contact Ruth Sloan, Head of Projects and Programmes: [e-mail]

Please note that due to the Christmas close down, emails will be replied to after the 5th January 2026.

Key Documents

Job description.pdf

Key Dates

Closing Date: 11 January 2026

Shortlisting: TBC

Miscellaneous

Politically restricted: This is a politically restricted post as defined by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

North Yorkshire Council is committed to diversity, inclusion, and the health and safety of our employees and communities. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. NYC are committed to directly recruiting staff and will not accept applications nor services from agency suppliers in respect of our vacancies. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

North Yorkshire Councils’ purpose is to deliver services and facilities to the diverse residents and visitors of North Yorkshire. To ensure we deliver inclusive services we strive to have a diverse workforce where everybody can be themselves by respecting differences and embedding equality of opportunity. We celebrate diversity and recognise each other’s contributions; we therefore welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.