Salary: £60,340 - £65,483
Closing date: 26/07/2026
Hours Per Week: 36.25
Term: 24 month Fixed Term Contract
Job Details
Strategic Transformation Lead Capital Programmes
Residing within Greater Manchester, and being able to regularly travel across GM sites, would be beneficial.
Grade 11 | Greater Manchester | Closing date: 26 July 2026
Transform Greater Manchester’s Fire Estate
This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-profile transformation programme that will reshape the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) estate.
As Strategic Transformation Lead Capital Programmes, you will take overall responsibility for delivering a major capital investment programme spanning new build fire stations, refurbishment schemes and decarbonisation initiatives. This role sits at the centre of GMCA’s ambitions to modernise infrastructure, improve operational capability and deliver long-term sustainability outcomes.
You will combine strategic leadership with hands-on programme deliveryensuring projects of varying scale and complexity are aligned, governed effectively and delivered to time, cost and quality expectations.
Why This Role Is Different
This is not a traditional programme role. You will:
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Lead a complex, multi-million-pound capital programme across a live operational blue light emergency service estate
- Hold portfolio-level accountability for both minor works programmes and major capital schemes
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Shape and embed governance, assurance and delivery standards across the programme
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Drive both strategic planning and hands-on delivery, from early design through to construction
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Operate at the intersections of strategy, construction, operations and public service delivery
Your work will have a direct and visible impact on frontline services and the communities they support.
Your Role: Strategic Leadership and Programme Delivery
You will provide clear leadership across the entire capital programme, ensuring all projects contribute to a coherent, prioritised and deliverable investment plan.
Lead a Major Capital Transformation Programme
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Take overall accountability for the GMFRS estate transformation programme, including new builds, refurbishments and lifecycle works
- Develop and maintain a structured and prioritised capital programme, spanning:
- Sub-£1m schemes (planned works, lifecycle and compliance activity)
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£1m+ schemes (new builds and major refurbishments via RIBA stages)
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Translate strategic objectives into phased, deliverable investment plans
Governance, Assurance and Performance
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Define and lead the capital programme governance framework
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Oversee cost, risk, schedule and benefits realisation at portfolio level
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Ensure robust decision-making through gateway controls and audit trails
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Provide clear and consistent reporting to senior leaders and governance boards
Deliver Complex Capital Projects
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Lead delivery of projects from RIBA Stage 1 through to construction and completion
- Oversee procurement and performance of design teams, contractors and consultants
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Ensure delivery meets time, cost and quality expectations, alongside statutory and regulatory requirements
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Drive development of a standardised design template for future fire stations
Financial and Commercial Leadership
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Hold accountability for capital budgets, expenditure and forecasting
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Shape procurement strategies aligned to risk, value and market conditions
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Ensure value for money and strong commercial outcomes across all schemes
Lead People and Resources
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Lead and manage a multi-disciplinary capital delivery team, including:
- Senior Project Managers
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Project Managers
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Quantity Surveyors
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Clerk of Works
- Align team capacity and capability with programme demand
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Act as the senior escalation point for delivery risks and performance issues
Work Across a Complex Stakeholder Environment
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Collaborate closely with GMFRS, GMCA teams, operational users and external partners
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Build strong relationships with senior leaders, consultants, contractors and stakeholders
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Influence decisions, align priorities and ensure commitment to delivery outcomes
What You Bring
We are looking for an experienced programme leader with the ability to operate at scale in a complex, multi-stakeholder built environment.
Experience and Expertise
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Significant experience leading capital programmes or portfolios across mixed-value schemes
- Strong knowledge of capital governance, investment appraisal and risk management
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Experience delivering both high-volume minor works and major capital projects
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In-depth understanding of RIBA Plan of Work, procurement and construction delivery
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Proven ability to manage multi-site construction programmes, ideally in public sector or emergency services environments
Leadership and Delivery
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Strong track record of delivering complex programmes to measurable outcomes
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Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and external consultants
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Ability to manage risk, dependencies, budgets and competing priorities
Commercial and Financial Capability
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Excellent financial planning and budget management skills
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Experience with contracts, procurement and supply chain management
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Strong commercial awareness and ability to drive value
Skills and Behaviours
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Highly effective communicator with the ability to influence at senior levels
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Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex information and drive decisions
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Capable of building trusted relationships across organisations
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Resilient, adaptable and comfortable operating in complex, fast-paced environments
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Committed to public service, collaboration and continuous improvement
