Local Government Reorganisation is reshaping how services are delivered across the Home Counties, as areas move through unitarisation ahead of vesting day. A robust project management function is essential to ensure a smooth transition and a successful day one for the new authority.
We're working on behalf of an organisation in the Home Counties to appoint an experienced Interim Project Manager to join the LGR programme at a pivotal stage of delivery. This is a high-profile role sitting at the heart of the transformation, offering the chance to shape the future of local public services in the region.
The Role
You'll take ownership of project delivery across the local LGR agenda, working across multiple workstreams and reporting into senior programme leadership. You'll be a key figure in translating strategic direction into practical delivery plans, keeping your project on track against a demanding timeline ahead of vesting day.
The role blends hands-on project management with broader LGR subject matter expertise — you'll need to understand both the specific pressures facing the local area and the wider national context of local government reorganisation.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead end-to-end delivery of assigned LGR project(s), ensuring plans, milestones, and dependencies are actively managed
* Own and maintain the project RAID log, proactively identifying and mitigating risks and issues before they impact delivery
* Support the design and implementation of the Target Operating Model (TOM) for the new unitary authority
* Coordinate activity across relevant workstreams and workstream leads to ensure alignment and day one readiness
* Provide regular, clear reporting to programme boards, senior stakeholders, and shadow authority leadership
* Build and maintain strong working relationships with partner organisations, shadow authority representatives, and elected members
* Identify local nuances specific to the area's LGR journey and ensure these are reflected in project planning and risk management
* Contribute to broader LGR best practice, drawing on and sharing lessons learned across the transformation
About You
* Demonstrable experience delivering transformation, change, or reorganisation projects, ideally within local government or the wider public sector
* Strong working knowledge of LGR project structures, unitarisation, and shadow authority governance
* Confident, credible communicator able to manage relationships at all levels, including with senior stakeholders and elected members
* Highly organised, with strong RAID and governance discipline
* Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment where priorities can shift
* Available to start at short notice and commit for the duration of the assignment
Salary description
£500.00 - £600.00 per day