Job Purpose
The Programme Manager will lead and support the delivery of a complex transformation programme across Children's Social Care, Education, and SEND services. Working within the Change Delivery Unit, the role will provide strategic leadership, programme management expertise, and specialist advice to drive sustainable service improvement, ensuring transformation initiatives improve outcomes for children, young people, and families while delivering long-term financial sustainability and value for money.
- Lead the delivery of complex transformation programmes across Children's Social Care, Education, and SEND services.
- Develop robust business cases, programme plans, and implementation strategies aligned to strategic priorities.
- Manage programme governance, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and to agreed quality standards.
- Work closely with finance colleagues to develop financial models, monitor savings, and track programme benefits.
- Monitor programme performance, identify risks and issues, and implement effective mitigation strategies.
- Provide specialist advice and constructive challenge to ensure proposals are evidence-based, operationally viable, and deliver measurable improvements.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with senior leaders, service managers, practitioners, and external partners to support successful programme delivery.
- Lead and coordinate project teams, ensuring clear objectives, accountability, and effective delivery.
- Produce and present high-quality reports and updates for senior leadership, programme boards, and governance meetings.
- Ensure safeguarding, statutory responsibilities, workforce considerations, and service quality remain central to programme delivery.
- Evaluate programme outcomes and identify opportunities for continuous improvement and future transformation initiatives.
- Proven experience managing complex transformation or change programmes within Children's Social Care, Education, or SEND services.
- Strong knowledge and understanding of SEND and wider education reform.
- Demonstrable experience translating strategic priorities into successful programme delivery.
- Excellent programme and project management skills, including planning, governance, risk management, and benefits realisation.
- Experience developing business cases and working alongside finance teams on financial modelling and budget management.
- Ability to produce and present reports for senior leadership and governance boards.
- Strong stakeholder management, communication, and facilitation skills.
- Proficiency in project management tools, including Microsoft Project.
- Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and influence senior stakeholders.
- Experience within local government or the public sector is desirable.
- Location: Halton - Hybrid working – minimum one day per week on site (more frequent attendance initially to support relationship building).
- Hours: 37 hours per week.
- Payment: Bi-weekly.
