Senior Programme Manager x2

Southwark; Greater London; On-site; GBP 61,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwark Council is seeking two experienced Senior Programme Managers to provide strategic leadership across major housing transformation programmes. You will translate strategic priorities into clear plans, deliver measurable outcomes, and realise benefits for residents in a complex local government setting.

You will lead multi-disciplinary teams, establish governance and reporting, and manage budgets and dependencies to secure value for money while maintaining a resident-focused approach.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading large-scale transformation programmes within local government or public sector.
• Proven track record delivering measurable service improvements, efficiencies and financial benefits.
• Significant experience managing multidisciplinary teams and resources across competing priorities.
• Strong expertise in programme governance, business case development, financial management and benefits realisation.
• Excellent stakeholder management, with ability to influence senior leaders and elected Members.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of high-profile housing transformation programmes from inception to benefits realisation.
• Manage Programme Leads and multidisciplinary teams, providing strategic direction and support.
• Establish robust governance, assurance and reporting for senior stakeholders.
• Oversee programme budgets, funding, business cases and resource planning.
• Manage risks, issues, dependencies and delivery challenges across multiple workstreams.
• Drive service improvements, efficiencies and value for money while maintaining resident focus.
• Strengthen programme management capability and support development of colleagues across teams.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Governance

Benefits realisation

Financial management

Education

Degree-level qualification in Programme/Project Management

PRINCE2/MSP or similar

Job description

Do you have the vision and leadership skills to deliver large-scale transformation in a complex public sector environment?

Can you use your programme management expertise to improve services, deliver efficiencies and achieve better outcomes for residents?

Does the opportunity to lead high-profile housing transformation programmes at one of London’s most ambitious councils excite you?

If yes, we have the perfect role for you!

Southwark Council is delivering a major programme of change to improve outcomes for residents while ensuring services remain financially sustainable. Our Change Team within Strategy & Communities brings together programme management, delivery management, service design, business analysis and PMO expertise to deliver complex transformation across the organisation.

We are looking for two experienced Senior Programme Manager’s to provide strategic leadership across major housing transformation programmes, driving meaningful service improvements while ensuring change delivers lasting benefits and value for money.

What You'll Be Doing

As a Senior Programme Manager, you will lead the planning and delivery of high-profile transformation programmes, translating strategic priorities into clear plans, measurable outcomes and tangible benefits for residents. You will work closely with directors, senior responsible officers, elected Members and service leaders to ensure successful programme delivery across a complex organisation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading major housing transformation programmes from inception through to implementation and benefits realisation.
• Managing Programme Leads and multidisciplinary teams, providing strategic direction, support and challenge.
• Establishing robust governance, assurance and reporting arrangements for senior stakeholders.
• Overseeing programme budgets, funding, business cases and resource planning.
• Managing risks, issues, dependencies and delivery challenges across multiple workstreams.
• Driving service improvements, efficiencies and value for money while maintaining a resident-focused approach.
• Strengthening programme management capability and supporting the development of colleagues across programme teams.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking a strategic and influential programme leader with a strong track record of delivering complex transformation in challenging environments.

You will have:

• Extensive experience leading large-scale transformation programmes within local government, the wider public sector or a similarly complex organisation.
• Proven success in delivering measurable service improvements, efficiencies and financial benefits.
• Significant experience managing multidisciplinary teams and resources across competing priorities.
• Strong expertise in programme governance, business case development, financial management and benefits realisation.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and work effectively with elected Members.
• Experience of driving change through service design, business analysis and wider transformation methodologies.
• A degree-level qualification or equivalent in Programme or Project Management (such as PRINCE2, MSP or similar).
• A commitment to inclusive, resident-focused change and continuous improvement.

For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification located at the bottom of the advert.

Occasional evening and weekend working may be required to meet programme and governance requirements.

Advert close date: 11:59pm on 22/11/2026
Shortlisting date: 27/11/2026
Interview date: W/C 07/12/2026

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Our Values and Behaviours:

At Southwark, our REACH values are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to being Resident-focused, Empowering, Accountable, Collaborative and Honest, in how we work with colleagues, residents, partners and communities. We welcome applications from people who share these values and are passionate about making a positive difference to our borough.

This vacancy is subject to the council's redeployment arrangements. Eligible redeployees will be considered first, and the vacancy may be withdrawn if a suitable redeployee is appointed.

We are an organisation that is passionate about our people and understands that the richness of diversity is fundamental to providing the best possible services to our communities. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level within the Council.

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people who meet the minimum requirements of the role, including:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• People currently in care or who have previously been in care
• Disabled people and those with long-term health conditions

Salary Range (Full time equivalent) £61,491 - £76,485