Service Improvement Project Lead (PMO)

GMCA; Westhoughton; Hybrid; GBP 54,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is seeking a confident Service Improvement Project Lead to join the PMO and drive cross-service reviews. You will develop a prioritised pipeline of improvement activity, align with governance, and deliver evidence-based recommendations to reduce waste and drive benefits realisation.

The role requires experience in service improvement, business analysis and change delivery within large organisations, plus strong stakeholder engagement and

Qualifications

• Experience in service improvement, transformation, or change within a large/complex organisation.
• Strong governance, analytic and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Degree or equivalent substantial experience in service improvement, transformation, or programme delivery.
• Professional qualification in project/programme management or related discipline (PRINCE2/MSP/Lean/Six Sigma) or demonstrable equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex cross-service reviews and develop a prioritised pipeline of improvement activity.
• Provide professional leadership and challenge to ensure alignment with GMFRS priorities and risk.
• Support governance, assurance, and reporting for service improvement activities, including risks, issues, and benefits.
• Diagnose issues, redesign processes, and deliver practical, achievable recommendations.

Skills

Service improvement

Business analysis

Process redesign

Governance

Benefits realisation

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Change management

Education

Degree in a relevant discipline

Professional qualification in project/programme management or related (PRINCE2, MSP, Lean, Six Sigma)

Job description

Vacancy: Service Improvement Project Lead

Contract: Fixed term for 2 years

Hours of work: 36.25 per week

Salary: Grade 10, £54,495 - £59,113 per annum (subject to job evaluation~)

Location: The post holder will work in a hybrid manner, typically working via Whitefield Fire Station (M45 7SY), Fire Service Head Quarters, and home

About us

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is officially recognised as one of the top-performing, and most improved services in England. In their latest report, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) awarded GMFRS the first "Outstanding" ratings in its history, cementing its place near the very top of national rankings. This is a brilliant opportunity to influence how GMFRS continues on its upwards trajectory, identifying, planning, and delivering improvement.

About the role

This is a newly established role; part of the existing Portfolio Management Office (PMO). Leading and coordinating a newly established Service Improvement team; you will support the Service to move from reactive problem-solving to a more structured, preventative, and evidence-led approach to continuous improvement.

Working across our four directorates, teams, and partners, you will lead complex cross-service reviews, develop a prioritised pipeline of improvement activity, and use your expertise in service improvement, business analysis, process redesign, governance, and benefits realisation to help deliver lasting change.

You will help diagnose issues, understand root causes, redesign processes, reduce inefficiency, and support the delivery of practical, achievable recommendations. You will provide professional leadership and constructive challenge, ensuring improvement activity is aligned to GMFRS strategic priorities, governance arrangements, organisational risk, inspection readiness, and continuous improvement ambitions.

The role will also support the development of strong governance, assurance, and reporting arrangements for service improvement activity, including oversight of progress, risks, issues, dependencies, and benefits.

About you

We are looking for a confident, proactive, and experienced Improvement Project Lead to help drive meaningful, sustainable improvement across the Service. You will combine strategic thinking with practical delivery, bring experience of leading complex improvement, transformation or change activity within a large or complex organisation, alongside strong analytical, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

You will be confident working with senior leaders, comfortable providing constructive challenge, and able to translate complex information into clear findings, recommendations, and action.

You will also have strong knowledge and practical application of improvement methodologies, including process mapping, root cause analysis, redesign, implementation planning, and benefits realisation.

You will be educated to degree level in a relevant discipline, or able to demonstrate equivalent substantial experience in service improvement, transformation, change, programme/project delivery, or a related field.

You will hold a professional qualification in project / programme management / business analysis / service improvement, or a related discipline (for example PRINCE2, MSP, APMG, Lean, Six Sigma), or demonstrable equivalent experience.

Experience in a public sector, partnership or similarly complex environment would be desirable, and experience within a blue light service would be advantageous.

Our offer:

In return for your hard work, we offer our employees a competitive package as part of our offer that you can find out more about here:

Greater Manchester Combined Authority - Home | greater.jobs

Mandatory Information:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. However, we value human talent and are looking for passionate individuals to join our organisation. Please ensure you personally complete your application and read all the instructions carefully to maximise your chances of success.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting, however we understand that AI may be used as a reasonable adjustment, if using AI to support your application, please give a brief explanation why to help ensure fair selection process.

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