Job Description

Title – LGR Programme Manager

Rate – £400 - £500 a day

Length – 6 months

A Surrey local authority is seeking an experienced programme professional to support the next phase of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

With reorganisation activity moving into implementation planning ahead of transition next April, this role will help coordinate delivery, strengthen programme oversight, and support organisational readiness across multiple workstreams.

This is a fast-paced and politically sensitive environment requiring someone who can quickly establish structure, manage priorities, and work effectively across officer and member groups.

Role Purpose

Working within the transformation/LGR team, the postholder will coordinate programme activity, maintain governance and reporting, and support delivery of transition and implementation plans.

The role will involve close working with senior leaders, service areas, partner councils, and programme stakeholders to ensure workstreams remain aligned, risks are managed, and delivery stays on track.

Key Responsibilities

* Maintain integrated programme plans, milestones, dependencies, and delivery trackers.

* Coordinate activity across multiple LGR workstreams and support implementation planning.

* Produce programme reporting, dashboards, RAID logs, and governance papers.

* Provide updates to senior officers, members, and programme boards.

* Monitor and manage programme risks, issues, and interdependencies.

* Support transition planning and organisational readiness activity.

* Work collaboratively with internal teams and Surrey partner authorities.

* Support governance meetings, decision-making processes, and programme coordination.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

* Experience delivering complex transformation or change programmes within local government or the public sector.

* Strong understanding of council governance and organisational change.

* Excellent programme coordination, reporting, and stakeholder management skills.

* Ability to operate confidently in politically sensitive environments.

* Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities at pace.

* Experience producing reports and governance documentation for senior audiences.

Desirable

* Previous LGR, devolution, or large-scale transformation experience.

* PRINCE2, MSP, or similar programme/project management qualification