Walthamstow, Greater London, United Kingdom
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Job Description
**INTERNAL APPLICATIONS ONLY**
Organisation: London Borough of Waltham Forest
Contract Type: Full-time/Fixed Term Contract (12 months maternity cover)
Working hours per week: 36 hours
Application Deadline: 12/04/2026
Proposed Interview Date(s): TBC
Reference:2061
About Us
Waltham Forest is an ambitious and forward‑looking Council facing significant financial pressures and rising demand for services. We are delivering a refreshed Transformation Programme that will secure £42m in savings over the next three years, ensuring long‑term financial sustainability while protecting essential resident‑focused services.
Our work is guided by Mission Waltham Forest, the Council’s corporate strategy and borough‑wide plan for a more equal Waltham Forest by 2030, tackling the issues that matter most to residents – from improving life chances and addressing the housing crisis to creating safe, green neighbourhoods and supporting a net‑zero future.
To deliver this ambition, we are strengthening how we use data and insights, redesigning services with residents, and driving major transformation and regeneration programmes across the borough.
Joining us means becoming part of a highly motivated team committed to delivering meaningful, positive outcomes for residents at pace and with purpose.
London Borough of Waltham Forest is one of the Mayor of London’s Good Work Standard employers. This accreditation is a proof of our commitment to creating a healthy, fair and inclusive workplace. This includes fair pay and conditions, workplace well‑being, skills and progression and diversity and recruitment.
The Council’s preference is for online application. However, if you have a disability and are unable to complete an online application, please email recruitment@walthamforest.gov.uk so we can arrange an alternative application method.
About the role
This is a fixed-term position to provide maternity cover, anticipated to last for12 months. However, applicants should be aware that the duration of the contractmay besubject to change. In the event that the employee currently on maternity leave decides to return to work earlier than originally indicated, the contract may be terminated with appropriate notice in accordance with the terms of employment.
As PMO Lead, you will:
- Coordinate and oversee assurance activity across the Transformation Programme
- Uphold, embed and continuously improve project and programme management standards
- Provide programme governance support, including Board management, reporting, risk oversight and ensuring visibility of progress to senior stakeholders
- Lead and develop a PMO Analyst and matrix manager other programme support staff as required
- Work closely with Directors, Members, Senior Responsible Owners and partners across the organisation to ensure our programmes deliver the outcomes, savings and improvements we need
This role is ideal for someone who is confident working in a complex, fast‑paced environment; who builds strong relationships with senior stakeholders; and who brings both rigour and a resident‑focused mindset to delivery.
- Manage programme and project assurance across the Transformation portfolio, ensuring robust governance, oversight and alignment to agreed standards.
- Plan, coordinate and manage governance for Transformation Programme Boards, ensuring effective oversight and timely decision‑making.
- Develop and maintain governance frameworks including project plans, risks and issue logs, benefits documentation and progress reports.
Performance Reporting & Risk Management
- Monitor programme delivery, benefits realisation, risks, issues and dependencies – escalating concerns where appropriate.
- Prepare high‑quality reports (including highlight reports and board papers) for senior stakeholders including Members, Directors, Transformation Board, SLT and Scrutiny.
- Ensure any deviations in scope, schedule, budget or quality are identified early and addressed, and coordinate change control processes
Stakeholder Management & Leadership
- Build strong working relationships across the Council, acting as a trusted adviser on programme delivery, assurance and governance.
- Facilitate internal team learning and knowledge sharing, and ad hoc project work and delivery
- Line manage PMO Analysts and matrix management of other support staff, ensuring a high‑performing, motivated and outcomes‑focused team.
Programme Management Standards & Continuous Improvement
- Ensure programmes and projects follow agreed methodologies
- Promote consistent use of tools, templates and standards across the division.
- Drive continuous improvement in project and programme management processes
Qualifications and Requirements
You will bring:
- Strong understanding of agile and traditional project delivery approaches
- Data analysis and visualisation, especially but not limited to Excel and Powerpoint
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, including experience working with senior leaders and Members
- Exceptional planning, organisational and communication skills
- A proactive, solution‑focused approach with the confidence to challenge constructively
Terms and conditions
The below terms and conditions apply to this role:
- Satisfactory employment references and CIFAS identity checks;
- Satisfactory declaration of interest;
How to Apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications online by pressing the ‘Apply’ button below. This includes a supporting statement that outlines to us how your skills and experience make you a good candidate for this vacancy.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both, service delivery and employment of its staff. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and as the largest employer in the area, it works hard to respond to the changing needs of its population. We use our statutory duties on race, gender and disability equality and best practice in respect of age, faith and sexual orientation to ensure equality of opportunity in the workplace. The Council is committed to meeting its 4 equality objectives: – Promoting equality of opportunity – Opposing all forms of discrimination, intolerance and disadvantage – Ensuring our workforce reflects the diverse communities of Waltham Forest at all levels. – Providing fair, appropriate, accessible and excellent Services to all. Respecting Diversity is a core Council value.
To support the above and reduce the risk of bias in its recruitment activities, the council is operating an anonymous shortlisting process, which hides personal information that can identify individuals until their application has been considered for shortlisting. The council also operates a scheme whereby, for jobs graded up to and including scale SO2, internal candidates are considered first. This includes those candidates who self‑identify as having a disability for the purposes of the Disability Confident scheme. For more information, please refer to our recruitment and selection policy.
We are keen to support employees to balance their working life with other commitments. Therefore, wherever possible, we will consider working arrangements that suit an individual’s personal circumstances whilst still meeting the needs of the Council. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below or feel free to discuss this during your interview.
If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contact Edmund Wildish, Head of Assurance & Oversight, at edmund.wildish@walthamforest.gov.uk or 07723924289.
- Job Category Strategy, Policy, and Change
- Posting Date 03/26/2026, 11:11 AM
- Apply Before 04/12/2026, 10:59 PM
- Job Schedule Full time
- Locations Walthamstow, Greater London, United Kingdom
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