Area Programme Director

Solace; Winchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Solace is seeking a senior leader to direct the Hampshire and Solent Local Government Reorganisation (HatS) Implementation Programme on a fixed-term basis until March 2028. You will oversee programme direction, coordination and assurance across the HatS transformation, acting as the key link across new unitary settings and ensuring cohesion at macro level.

The role requires deep knowledge of local authority services, governance, and change management, with the ability to influence stakeholders,

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing major programmes of change within local government.
• Ability to coordinate across multiple councils and stakeholders to deliver a cohesive plan.
• Strong change management, governance knowledge and political awareness.

Responsibilities

• Provide programme direction, coordination and assurance for HatS LGR Implementation Programme.
• Develop transition plans, define roles, milestones and track progress.
• Influence and negotiate with stakeholders to maintain momentum for change.

Job description

Fixed term contract until March 2028 (potential to extend)

In this role, you will provide overall programme direction, coordination and assurance for the Hampshire and Solent (HatS) Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Implementation Programme.

This will identify you as the key link across the full programme, ensuring cohesion and assurance at a macro level, while recognising the local differences and requirements of each new council area.

You will work closely with our Senior Responsible Officer and his deputies to develop a robust and achievable transition plan, ensure clarity on roles and responsibilities and put in place milestones to measure progress against. Effective collaboration will be vital – as you work closely with Programme Directors in each of the new unitary settings to understand local progress and risks and facilitate the sharing of experiences and best practice across the full programme.

It’s a leadership and change management role that requires an in-depth knowledge of local authority services and associated governance, as well as the vision to see how these must adapt to a new delivery model. It will be vital to build trust quickly with a wide group of key stakeholders. And personal impact will be equally important to advise, negotiate, and influence to build consensus and ensure momentum behind change.

While it’s essential that you have proven experience in managing major programmes of change, this is much more than a senior PMO role. It demands a system perspective, nuanced political awareness and the ability to influence at all levels.

Success in this role will clearly you identify you as a talent to watch: helping to deliver a once-in-a-generation change for essential service delivery to more than two million residents is a career defining opportunity that you won’t want to miss.