Programme Manager - Local Government Reorganisation

Civic Recruitment Limited; Reigate; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is seeking an experienced Programme Manager to lead Local Government Reorganisation workstreams from Reigate. You will manage delivery against milestones, budgets and governance, coordinating multiple stakeholders and ensuring readiness for Vesting Day in a high-profile public sector environment.

The role requires strong governance, risk and change management skills, excellent written and verbal communication, and a proactive, collaborative approach across

Qualifications

• Strong programme and project management experience in large, complex change programmes.
• Proven ability to lead and deliver multiple workstreams with scope, schedule and budget.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationships with senior leaders.
• Experience managing multiple workstreams and competing priorities.
• Strong risk, issue, dependency and change management skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving capabilities with practical solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communications for reports and papers.
• Experience in governance, assurance and decision-making frameworks.
• Ability to operate in fast-paced, high-profile, politically sensitive environments.
• Collaborative, proactive approach across organisational boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of LGR workstreams with agreed milestones and deliverables.
• Manage workstream delivery against scope, schedule, budget and deadlines.
• Coordinate dependencies and stakeholders to achieve programme objectives.
• Develop workstream plans including risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies.
• Maintain relationships with senior leaders, service reps and SMEs.
• Prepare decision papers and governance documentation for reviews.
• Ensure governance and PM standards are applied across the workstream.
• Support Vesting Day readiness and continuity of critical services.
• Identify delivery challenges and propose practical solutions to maintain momentum.
• Support a collaborative programme culture for successful transition.

Skills

Programme management

Stakeholder engagement

Governance & reporting

Risk & change management

Analytical thinking

Communication (written)

Communication (verbal)

Cross-functional collaboration

organisational skills

Political sensitivity

Job description

Programme Manager - Local Government Reorganisation

Reigate, United Kingdom | Posted on 14/09/2026

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation. That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors. In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions. Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

6 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To lead the delivery of complex Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) workstreams, ensuring new council arrangements are implemented successfully, safely and in line with agreed timescales, governance requirements and programme outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of one or more LGR workstreams, ensuring agreed outcomes, milestones and deliverables are achieved.
• Manage workstream delivery activities, maintaining progress against agreed scope, schedule, budget and deadlines.
• Coordinate multiple dependencies, stakeholders and activities to support the successful delivery of programme objectives.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive workstream delivery plans, including risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies, escalating matters where appropriate.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with senior leaders, service representatives, subject matter experts and other key stakeholders.
• Support the preparation of decision papers, programme reports and other documentation for governance and decision-making forums.
• Ensure appropriate governance, assurance and programme management standards are consistently applied across the workstream.
• Work closely with services to support preparation for Vesting Day, ensuring readiness and continuity of critical services.
• Identify delivery challenges and develop practical, solution-focused approaches to resolve issues and maintain programme momentum.
• Contribute to a collaborative, accountable and solution-focused programme culture that supports the successful transition to the new councils.

Requirements

• Strong programme and project management experience gained within large, complex transformation or organisational change programmes.
• Proven ability to lead and deliver complex workstreams, managing scope, milestones, risks, issues, dependencies and competing priorities.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, influencing and relationship management skills, including the ability to work effectively with senior leaders.
• Demonstrable experience of managing multiple workstreams, priorities and competing demands simultaneously.
• Strong risk, issue, dependency and change management skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify challenges and develop practical, deliverable solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, decision papers and presentations for senior stakeholders.
• Experience of working within formal governance, assurance and decision-making frameworks in complex organisations.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-profile and politically sensitive environment.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to maintain delivery focus under pressure.
• A collaborative and proactive approach, with the ability to work across organisational boundaries to achieve shared outcomes.