LGR Portfolio Director

GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the United Kingdom is seeking a highly experienced LGR Portfolio Director to lead a significant transformation across seven councils. This role will oversee the transition to a new model of local governance, requiring proven skills in complex project delivery, stakeholder collaboration, and strategic insight. The position offers competitive benefits, including a generous pension scheme and annual leave.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

30 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading high-profile transformation programmes.
• Ability to work with senior stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of Local Government Reorganisation is beneficial but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the LGR portfolio.
• Shape the vision and governance frameworks for the new local government.
• Work closely with Chief Executives and elected members.
• Champion collaboration and high standards across organisations.
• Represent Gloucestershire regionally and nationally.

Skills

Complex transformation delivery

Governance and assurance expertise

Exceptional communication skills

Political awareness

Stakeholder management

Job description

Contract: Full-time, Fixed Term/secondment opportunity - internal until June 2028

Gloucestershire’s seven councils are embarking on a once-in-a-generation transformation as we progress our Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) programme. We are creating a new, modernised model of local government designed to deliver better services, improved value for money, and long-term benefits for every community.

We are now seeking an exceptional and influential leader to become our LGR Portfolio Director—a role at the heart of this historic change.

Your Role and Impact

As Portfolio Director, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership for the entire LGR portfolio and oversee the transition of all seven councils into one or two new authorities.
• Shape the vision, governance and delivery frameworks that will define Gloucestershire’s future local government landscape.
• Work closely with Chief Executives, elected members, programme leads and national partners to ensure effective, timely and well-governed delivery.
• Champion high standards, innovation, collaboration, and cultural alignment across organisations.
• Represent Gloucestershire regionally and nationally, ensuring our voice, priorities and ambitions are clearly understood and supported.

This is a rare opportunity to deliver change on a scale that will influence how local services are run for decades to come.

What You Bring

We’re looking for a highly experienced transformation leader who can demonstrate:

• A strong track record in delivering complex, high-profile transformation or reorganisation programmes.
• Expertise in portfolio delivery, governance, assurance, and benefits realisation.
• Exceptional communication, political awareness, and influencing skills.
• Resilience, strategic insight, and the ability to work confidently with senior stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.

Experience of Local Government Reorganisation is beneficial, but not essential where candidates can demonstrate significant experience of delivering large-scale, multi-stakeholder change.

Why This Role Matters

This is more than a senior leadership role; it is an opportunity to shape the future of public services in Gloucestershire and to leave a lasting legacy. You will lead a transformation that will have real, long-term impact for residents, businesses, communities, and staff.

If you are motivated by complex, meaningful change and want your leadership to make history, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Apply Now

To apply, please visit our website via the button below.

Join us and help create the foundations for a stronger, more resilient and forward-looking Gloucestershire by clicking "apply".

Please contact [e-mail] to arrange an informal conversation with Jo Walker, Chief Executive of Gloucestershire County Council.

Advert closes: 7 December 2025.

Online technical interview: 11 December 2025.

Assessment centre: 15 December 2025.

What we can offer you:

• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), a heavily subsidised pension providing financial security, life cover, and options for flexible retirement.
• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays and 0.5 days additional discretionary leave.

Special conditions: Flexible working; travel across Gloucestershire and occasional national travel required; some evening meetings; politically restricted role; subject to background checks.

The LGR Portfolio Team will work on behalf of all councils in Gloucestershire but will be employed by Gloucestershire County Council.