Job summarySenior Project Manager Transformation & ProgrammesAre you an experienced project manager looking for work that genuinely makes a difference?
Our Transformation and Programme Management Team sits at the heart of the Council, leading some of our most important and complex projects. We work across the whole organisation, meaning no two projects are ever the same.
In this role, you could be delivering transformation across adult and childrens social care, housing, finance, digital or corporate services, often working with multi agency partners and other public sector organisations.
What were looking forWere looking for experienced project or programme managers who are confident working in complex, fast moving environments and can lead change across multiple service areas.
You'll likely have:
A strong track record of leading complex projects or programmes, from concept through to delivery
Experience working with multiple stakeholders, including senior leaders and external or multi agency partners
The confidence to operate at pace, manage ambiguity and balance competing priorities
A clear focus on outcomes and benefits, including financial savings, service improvement and user experience
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence, challenge and build trust at all levels
A pragmatic, solutions focused approach, with the ability to turn strategy into deliverable plans
Main duties of the jobAs a Senior Project Manager, youll lead high profile, cross cutting projects and programmes that:
- Deliver significant savings and support financial sustainability
- Improve services and user experience for residents
- Support organisational change and modernisation
- Shape how services are designed and delivered across the Council
You'll work closely with senior leaders, service managers and external partners, providing clear direction, strong governance and confident leadership at every stage of delivery.
Experience in local government, the public sector or large complex organisations is ideal, but were also keen to hear from people who can bring strong transferable skills and a fresh perspective.
If you enjoy variety, are motivated by impact, and want to work on projects that genuinely matter to people and communities, this could be the right role for you.
About usAbout us:We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke-on Trent City Council is more than just a job, it's about making, protecting and improving the services for the local population, reducing inequalities and improving independence for the people who live and work in the city. And thats where you come in. We are always looking for people of the highest calibre with skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision.
Stoke-on-Trent City Councils diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset and most valuable resource. The skills, knowledge and experience of our c.4,600 employees are essential to delivering our ambitions and vision for our organisation and Stoke-on-Trent. We want to be an employer that people are proud to work for, and where our staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them to excel and to deliver the high-quality services that our residents need.
Further information on the Council and our directorates
Job description Job responsibilitiesJob Purpose
The SeniorProject Manager will be a key leader responsible for the successful definition,planning and execution of a portfolio of complex cross-cutting programmes andprojects aligned with the councils strategic priorities. This role is accountable for shaping,managing, and driving complex programmes that deliver significantorganisational benefits. The Senior Project Manager will work at the forefrontof change, partnering with senior leaders and stakeholders to ensure successfuloutcomes across multiple projects and workstreams. Achieve organisationalpriorities and transformation goals by leading the definition, planning, andexecution of complex programmes and projects.
KeyDuties / Responsibilities
1. Achieve organisationaltransformation by delivering major programmes that align with councilpriorities and deliver measurable benefits.
2. Ensure robustgovernance frameworks are in place to support effective decision-making andrisk management.
3. Act as a trustedadvisor to senior executives, influencing organisational strategy throughprogramme insights and recommendations.
4. Define, maintain andreview programme vision, objectives, and benefits, ensuring alignment withcorporate strategy.
5. Oversee integratedplanning across multiple projects, identifying and managing interdependenciesand ensuring timely delivery of milestones.
6. Achieve and oversee thesuccessful delivery of all programme outputs and outcomes, ensuring they meetquality standards and deliver the anticipated benefits to communities and theCouncil.
7. Assess and manageprogramme-level risks, issues and dependencies effectively, identifying and escalatingcritical matters to senior stakeholders and implementing appropriate mitigationstrategies.
8. Lead the development,review and amendment of corporate and service-level policies as required bymajor transformation programmes.
9. Develop, control andmonitor the overall programme budget, which may involve capital and revenuestreams, ensuring programmes and projects are delivered within financialconstraints.
10. Negotiate and resolvecomplex conflicts and competing priorities across various service areas andprogrammes.
11. Implement best-practiceprogramme management methodologies and continuously improve processes tooptimise delivery.
12. Build and sustainstrong relationships with senior stakeholders, elected members, and externalpartners to secure buy-in and collaboration.
13. Communicate programmeprogress, risks, and benefits clearly and persuasively to executive boards andgovernance groups.
14. Navigate complexpolitical and organisational landscapes with sensitivity and professionalism.
15. Provide mentorship andcoaching to the team of Project Officers and support staff.
16. Lead resource planningacross multiple projects, balancing competing priorities and optimisingutilisation of internal and external teams.
17. Establish and maintainrigorous performance monitoring, regularly reviewing and reporting on benefitsrealisation, risks, and issues.
18. Lead the management,processing, and secure handling of complex programme data, includingperformance, financial tracking, benefits realisation and risk information.
19. Drive continuousimprovement through lessons learned and post-programme reviews.
20. Ensure compliance withorganisational standards, policies, procurement regulations, and governancerequirements.
21. Identify opportunitiesfor process improvement and innovation across programmes and projects.
22. Assess progress againstmilestones and adjust plans as necessary.
23. Review programmeprogress, outcomes, and lessons learned to inform future initiatives.
24. Any other duties appropriateto the post.
Job description
Job responsibilitiesJob Purpose
The SeniorProject Manager will be a key leader responsible for the successful definition,planning and execution of a portfolio of complex cross-cutting programmes andprojects aligned with the councils strategic priorities. This role is accountable for shaping,managing, and driving complex programmes that deliver significantorganisational benefits. The Senior Project Manager will work at the forefrontof change, partnering with senior leaders and stakeholders to ensure successfuloutcomes across multiple projects and workstreams. Achieve organisationalpriorities and transformation goals by leading the definition, planning, andexecution of complex programmes and projects.
KeyDuties / Responsibilities
1. Achieve organisationaltransformation by delivering major programmes that align with councilpriorities and deliver measurable benefits.
2. Ensure robustgovernance frameworks are in place to support effective decision-making andrisk management.
3. Act as a trustedadvisor to senior executives, influencing organisational strategy throughprogramme insights and recommendations.
4. Define, maintain andreview programme vision, objectives, and benefits, ensuring alignment withcorporate strategy.
5. Oversee integratedplanning across multiple projects, identifying and managing interdependenciesand ensuring timely delivery of milestones.
6. Achieve and oversee thesuccessful delivery of all programme outputs and outcomes, ensuring they meetquality standards and deliver the anticipated benefits to communities and theCouncil.
7. Assess and manageprogramme-level risks, issues and dependencies effectively, identifying and escalatingcritical matters to senior stakeholders and implementing appropriate mitigationstrategies.
8. Lead the development,review and amendment of corporate and service-level policies as required bymajor transformation programmes.
9. Develop, control andmonitor the overall programme budget, which may involve capital and revenuestreams, ensuring programmes and projects are delivered within financialconstraints.
10. Negotiate and resolvecomplex conflicts and competing priorities across various service areas andprogrammes.
11. Implement best-practiceprogramme management methodologies and continuously improve processes tooptimise delivery.
12. Build and sustainstrong relationships with senior stakeholders, elected members, and externalpartners to secure buy-in and collaboration.
13. Communicate programmeprogress, risks, and benefits clearly and persuasively to executive boards andgovernance groups.
14. Navigate complexpolitical and organisational landscapes with sensitivity and professionalism.
15. Provide mentorship andcoaching to the team of Project Officers and support staff.
16. Lead resource planningacross multiple projects, balancing competing priorities and optimisingutilisation of internal and external teams.
17. Establish and maintainrigorous performance monitoring, regularly reviewing and reporting on benefitsrealisation, risks, and issues.
18. Lead the management,processing, and secure handling of complex programme data, includingperformance, financial tracking, benefits realisation and risk information.
19. Drive continuousimprovement through lessons learned and post-programme reviews.
20. Ensure compliance withorganisational standards, policies, procurement regulations, and governancerequirements.
21. Identify opportunitiesfor process improvement and innovation across programmes and projects.
22. Assess progress againstmilestones and adjust plans as necessary.
23. Review programmeprogress, outcomes, and lessons learned to inform future initiatives.
24. Any other duties appropriateto the post.
Person Specification Experience Essential - Significant experience in managing and leading large-scale, complex change programmes, ideally within a public sector or local government environment
- Proven ability to manage multiple, interdependent projects across multiple departments and external partners.
- Extensive demonstratable track record of successfully delivering tangible benefits and outcomes related to significant transformation programmes.
- Proven experience in managing significant budgets (£1.0m+) and complex resource allocation across programmes and portfolios of projects
- Proven excellent communication skills, high-level negotiation skills and confident presentation skills, with the ability to influence and engage at all levels, including leadership team, political leadership and elected members
- Exceptional leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams
- Strong commercial acumen and ability to negotiate with suppliers and partners
- Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage ambiguity and complexity
- Advanced proficiency in programme management tools and MS 365 applications
- Ability to travel within/around the geographical work area in an effective manner
- Ability to work with a high degree of independence and autonomy
Qualifications Essential - A relevant university degree or equivalent professional qualification.
- Relevant project/programme management qualification such as Prince 2/MSP/Agile
Person Specification
Experience Essential - Significant experience in managing and leading large-scale, complex change programmes, ideally within a public sector or local government environment
- Proven ability to manage multiple, interdependent projects across multiple departments and external partners.
- Extensive demonstratable track record of successfully delivering tangible benefits and outcomes related to significant transformation programmes.
- Proven experience in managing significant budgets (£1.0m+) and complex resource allocation across programmes and portfolios of projects
- Proven excellent communication skills, high-level negotiation skills and confident presentation skills, with the ability to influence and engage at all levels, including leadership team, political leadership and elected members
- Exceptional leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams
- Strong commercial acumen and ability to negotiate with suppliers and partners
- Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage ambiguity and complexity
- Advanced proficiency in programme management tools and MS 365 applications
- Ability to travel within/around the geographical work area in an effective manner
- Ability to work with a high degree of independence and autonomy
Qualifications Essential - A relevant university degree or equivalent professional qualification.
- Relevant project/programme management qualification such as Prince 2/MSP/Agile
UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
Additional information
UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
Employer details Employer nameStoke-on-Trent City Council
AddressCivic Centre
Glebe Street
Stoke
Staffordshire
ST4 1HH
United Kingdom
Employer's website 
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