Programme Manager

Ealing Council has two exciting new opportunities as Transformation Programme Manager (x1 role on a permanent basis and x1 role on a 24 months Fixed Term Contract).

Ealing is one of London’s largest and most diverse boroughs. Ealing is changing, as a place and a council. We are shifting power to communities and transforming our relationship with our residents. This reflects our shared ambition to modernise local government in a way that empowers communities and liberates our workforce.

Aligned to the Council’s vision for the future and approach to transformation, the purpose of this role is to support our Children’s Services teams to deliver a portfolio of transformation and reform programmes that will fundamentally shift the delivery of our services to children, young people and their carers.

The Transformation Programme Manager role is a highly strategic role, working to enable, align and support system-wide delivery of core transformation agendas, including Best Start in Life, Families First for Children and SEND service reform. You will be responsible for developing a comprehensive programme management structure, co-ordinating a programme of complex and interconnected programmes across the department and establish best practice programme management systems, including governance frameworks. Working closely with our Children’s Leadership team, our Change and Innovation board and with key strategic partners to ensure strong programme delivery and management. You will lead a team of Delivery Managers and support roles to ensure strong programme practice, drive strong transformation methodology and create the enabling conditions needed for our programmes to thrive.

As the Transformation Programme Manager you will:

•Lead the development of a comprehensive programme management structure for key Children’s Services Change Programmes. This may include (but is not limited to): the Families First Partnership Programme; the Best Start in Life programme; the Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) Strategy; the Children’s Services Strategy or the Children’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) programme;

•Co-ordinate a programme of complex projects as part of a whole-department, cross-organisation and schools, outcome-led transformation programme.

•Lead the establishment of best practice systems to ensure effective programme management and delivery of Children’s Services Change programmes and ensure benefit realisation

•Lead the management and resolution of complex programme issues, conflicts and risks within the programme to ensure effective overall delivery

•Responsible for working with key stakeholders and programme team members to create an environment that is outcome focussed, innovative and delivery focussed, to ensure successful delivery of the priority programme outcomes and to support a programme of activity to embed that culture within the organisation

•Responsible for working independently to engage internal and external stakeholders to build understanding and engagement with the goals of the programme and proactively resolve issues as they emerge.

Our ideal Transformation Programme Manager will have the below skills and experience:

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

1. Excellent knowledge and understanding of local government, the pressures on it and implications for the council and partners
2. Excellent project and programme management skills and techniques
3. Experience of successfully delivering a large and complex transformation project and programme in an organisation of similar scale and complexity, focused on both cost reduction and improvements to real world outcomes.
4. The ability to turn strategic ideas and objectives into practical, well organised delivery plans with a focus on results
5. Competent with financial planning to help develop and deliver business cases which show return on investment / impact of allocated resources on performance
6. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to build personal credibility quickly with a variety of stakeholders.
7. Outstanding leadership skills, including the ability to identify, own and overcome complex obstacles to the delivery of projects.
8. Ability to review, evaluate and share learning and best practice within programmes
9. The ability to monitor and analyse data to a high standard
10. Ability to work under pressure to challenging timetables

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATION(S), EXPERIENCE AND REGISTRATION

• Experience of working on local government change and transformation programmes and delivering benefits (outcomes and financial)
• Experience operating at a senior level in a large and politically complex organisation.
• PRINCE II / Managing Successful Programmes or other comparable project or programme management qualification; or, relevant experience of applying these frameworks

You must have the right to work in the UK. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage.

It is an exciting time to join us, here at Ealing Council. If you would like to make a positive difference to our residents and borough, then we’re looking forward to hearing from you.

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Ealing Council is committed to creating good jobs and delivering on its connected communities’ agenda. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive.

We therefore welcome applications from all residents of the borough, we particularly welcome applications from candidates who are entering the employment market in the early stages of their career and mid-career professionals, who are currently underrepresented in Ealing’s workforce.

Please note all applications will be determined on merit.

Please also note that CV’s are not acceptable, Ealing application form is required to be completed in order to be considered for the role.

To apply, please complete our application form. Under the Supporting Statement section please address the highlighted criteria under the 'Person Specification' on the attached role profile.