Interim Director of Local Government Re-organisation

Sanctuary Personnel; England; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency in the UK seeks an Interim Director of Local Government Re-organisation to lead a significant transformation programme in West Sussex. This role requires extensive experience in public sector transformation, strong stakeholder management, and financial expertise. You will oversee the transition to a new operating model while ensuring service continuity and compliance with legislative requirements. Candidates must demonstrate a robust understanding of local government processes and strong leadership skills. Hybrid working is available for this position.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience working with elected Members and senior executives.
• Strong understanding of local government legislation and reorganisation processes.
• Advanced programme and portfolio management capability.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the overall transformation roadmap.
• Implement strong governance and decision-making frameworks.
• Build effective working relationships with stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Governance expertise

Financial oversight

Job description

Interim Director of Local Government Re‑organisation

Location: West Sussex (Hybrid Working)

Contract: 24–30 Months

Hours: Full-Time

Start: ASAP

Sanctuary Personnel is recruiting an experienced and strategic leader for an Interim Director of Local Government Re‑organisation role within West Sussex.

This is a significant system‑wide transformation programme, requiring senior‑level leadership across multiple authorities. You will be responsible for ensuring a safe, legal and well‑managed transition to a new operating model, maintaining service continuity while delivering long‑term sustainability and improved outcomes.

About the Role

As Programme Director, you will provide overall strategic direction for the Local Government Re‑organisation portfolio. You will establish the foundations for future governance, operating structures and service delivery arrangements, while ensuring strong risk management, financial oversight and political alignment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the overall transformation roadmap, milestones and critical path.
• Establish and lead a robust Portfolio Management Office (PMO).
• Translate political priorities into deliverable and measurable implementation plans.

Governance, Assurance and Legal Readiness

• Implement strong governance and decision‑making frameworks.
• Ensure all constitutional and statutory requirements are prepared for transition.
• Maintain effective risk, issue and dependency management.

Stakeholder and Political Engagement

• Build effective working relationships with Leaders, Members and Chief Executives.
• Oversee engagement with residents, partners, staff and unions.
• Facilitate collaborative working across authority boundaries.

Organisational Change and Workforce Transition

• Lead programme team design and resourcing.
• Oversee organisational development and workforce transition, including TUPE.
• Maintain collaborative culture across participating authorities.

Finance, Commercial and Digital Oversight

• Hold accountability for programme budget and benefits realisation.
• Oversee commercial planning and supplier alignment.
• Lead ICT transition planning, data migration and information governance.

Service Continuity

• Ensure safe continuity planning across all services.
• Deliver day‑one customer access and operational readiness arrangements.
• Senior leadership of large‑scale public sector transformation or reorganisation programmes.
• Proven delivery of complex portfolios on time and within budget.
• Extensive experience working with elected Members and senior executives.
• Strong financial, commercial and stakeholder management expertise.
• Experience leading organisational, workforce and digital redesign.

Essential Skills and Knowledge

• Strong understanding of local government legislation and reorganisation processes.
• Advanced programme and portfolio management capability.
• High political awareness and sound judgement.
• Robust governance, assurance and risk management expertise.
• Understanding of digital, data and ICT transformation requirements.

Working with Sanctuary Personnel:

Sanctuary Personnel is an award‑winning recruitment agency specialising in Social Work jobs across the UK. With an ‘Excellent’ Trustpilot rating from over 1,000 reviews, we are committed to matching skilled professionals with roles that reflect their experience, goals, and long‑term career aspirations.