Transformation and Programme Lead

Sellick Partnership; Bedford; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 149,000; Full time

Job summary

Sellick Partnership in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Transformation & Improvement Lead to drive high-profile programmes across a large local authority. You will work with Executive Directors and Heads of Service to accelerate delivery, realise benefits and strengthen governance.

You will own complex transformation and improvement programmes, guiding planning, stakeholder engagement and robust programme management in a fast-paced, politically sensitive environment.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading complex transformation or service improvement programmes.
• Proven ability to deliver measurable benefits within local government or similar.
• Strong governance, reporting and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead significant transformation, improvement and savings programmes.
• Develop and maintain delivery plans, milestones and performance measures.
• Drive programme progress, managing risks, dependencies and corrective actions.
• Translate strategic proposals into deliverable plans, business cases and benefits realisation frameworks.
• Provide high-quality governance, assurance and performance reporting.
• Work collaboratively with senior leaders, elected members and external partners.
• Use performance, financial and risk data to support decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Act as a trusted advisor and constructive critical friend to senior stakeholders.

Skills

Transformation leadership

Stakeholder management

Programme management

Change management

Governance

Job description

Location: Hybrid (Minimum 3 days per week onsite)
Day Rate: £700 per day
Contract: Permanent / Full-Time

Drive Change. Deliver Improvement. Make a Lasting Impact.

We are seeking an experienced Transformation & Improvement Lead to play a pivotal role in delivering high-profile transformation, improvement and savings programmes across a large and complex local authority environment. This is an opportunity to operate at the heart of strategic change, working alongside senior leaders to deliver meaningful outcomes for services, communities and residents.

With four specialist areas available, we're keen to hear from candidates with experience in:

• Adults Services Transformation
• Children's Services Transformation
• Environment, Property & Assets
• Corporate & Cross-Cutting Transformation, including organisation development, performance and council-wide improvement initiatives

The Opportunity

This is a highly visible role requiring a confident and credible transformation professional who can operate effectively in a fast-paced, politically sensitive environment. Working closely with Executive Directors, Service Directors and Heads of Service, you will help accelerate delivery, remove barriers, strengthen governance and ensure benefits are realised.

You will take ownership of complex transformation and improvement programmes, driving delivery through robust planning, stakeholder engagement and effective programme management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead significant transformation, improvement and savings programmes.
• Develop and maintain delivery plans, milestones and performance measures.
• Drive programme progress, managing risks, dependencies and corrective actions.
• Translate strategic proposals into deliverable plans, business cases and benefits realisation frameworks.
• Provide high-quality governance, assurance and performance reporting.
• Work collaboratively with senior leaders, elected members and external partners.
• Use performance, financial and risk data to support decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Act as a trusted advisor and constructive critical friend to senior stakeholders.

About You

To be successful, you'll bring:

• Significant experience leading complex transformation, service improvement or savings programmes within local government.
• Expertise in one or more of the specialist service areas outlined above.
• A proven track record of delivering measurable outcomes, service redesign and organisational change.
• Experience working closely with directors, senior leadership teams, boards, members and external partners.
• Strong programme and project management capability.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
• The ability to balance pace, governance, assurance and delivery in complex environments.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

Why Apply?

This is an exceptional opportunity to influence strategic transformation at scale and play a key role in shaping services for the future. You'll join an organisation committed to continuous improvement, innovation and delivering better outcomes for residents

Sellick Partnership is proud to be an inclusive and accessible recruitment business and we support applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances. Please note, our advertisements use years' experience, hourly rates, and salary levels purely as a guide and we assess applications based on the experience and skills evidenced on the CV. For information on how your personal details may be used by Sellick Partnership, please review our data processing notice on our website.