Portfolio Director

Gloucester County Council; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization is seeking an experienced LGR Portfolio Director to lead a significant transformation in Gloucestershire's local services. This role requires a proven leader with a strong background in managing complex change, effective governance, and the ability to work closely with senior stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have exceptional communication and influencing skills and will be motivated to shape public services for the future. This position offers benefits including a pension scheme and generous leave.

Benefits

Automatic enrolment into Local Government Pension Scheme

30 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading complex transformation projects.
• Strong governance and assurance capabilities.
• Must have exceptional influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the LGR portfolio.
• Shape vision and governance frameworks for local government.
• Work with stakeholders to ensure effective delivery.

Skills

Transformation leadership

Communication skills

Political awareness

Resilience

Strategic insight

Job description

Lead the Most Significant Transformation Gloucestershire Has Seen in a Generation

Gloucestershires 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 Directora 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 Gloucestershires 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 are 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

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.

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