About The Role
Make your impact where it matters most. We are building a small cohort of Strategic Programme Managers at the heart of the Council’s Strategy and Programmes function. This team acts as a centre of excellence for change – bringing structure, grip and pace to cross‑council priorities, and connecting enabling services so effort lands where residents feel it.
The role
You will lead one of our strategic change programmes (Thriving Places, Changing Futures, our housing improvement programme, our cleaner Islington programme or our organisational culture change programme) from discovery through delivery. This includes clarifying the problem to solve, agreeing outcomes, setting up fit‑for‑purpose governance, orchestrating delivery across services and partners, mapping and managing inter‑dependencies, using data and insight to drive decisions, keeping benefits real and visible, and shaping compelling, evidence‑based business cases and options.
What you’ll do
- Stand‑up and steer programmes that span multiple services and partners – providing clear direction to multi‑disciplinary delivery teams in a matrix setting.
- Act as part of a change centre‑of‑excellence: setting common standards, joining the dots across initiatives, and proactively surfacing risks, issues and dependencies.
- Develop robust business cases, benefits frameworks and delivery plans; track performance and course‑correct with pace.
- Design inclusive engagement, bringing residents’ lived experience and staff insight into programme design and decision‑making.
- Provide crisp, credible assurance and narrative to senior officers and Boards – making complexity simple and actionable.
About you
You are an experienced, strategic‑mindful programme manager who thrives in complexity. You are comfortable shaping strategy as well as driving delivery; you lead through influence, not just line management; and you bring a test‑learn‑adapt mindset that balances ambition with evidence. You know how to hold benefits to the light, make smart trade‑offs, and communicate clearly with everyone from delivery teams to senior leaders.
Where this role sits
These roles sit in the Council’s central Strategy & Programmes function, working across the organisation’s strategic change portfolio. You will collaborate closely with enabling services – Digital, Data & Insight, Finance, Communications, Public Health, Policy and Equalities – and directorates owning cross‑cutting change programmes.
Work style and support
We work in a genuinely hybrid way that keeps us close to residents, partners and teams. You can expect a regular, in‑borough presence alongside flexibility to work remotely, supported by modern collaboration tools and work spaces. While you will report into the corporate centre, these programmes of change have a matrix delivery model drawing from the services themselves.
Why join us
- A mandate to tackle organisation‑wide priorities with visible impact for residents.
- A supportive, learning‑oriented environment that values inclusion and diverse perspectives.
- Flexible working and council‑wide benefits, with clear development pathways.
Our offer to you
- Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service.
- A range of flexible working arrangements, including a 35‑hour working week.
- Learning and development opportunities.
- Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum.
- Excellent local government pension scheme.
- Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships.
- Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more.
Workforce Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable workforce, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Equality, equity, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do. We foster a culture of inclusion, ensuring all colleagues feel they belong and can safely express their thoughts, ideas and challenges, without fear of judgement or discrimination. We maintain a zero‑tolerance approach to any unlawful discrimination, harassment or victimisation under the 2010 Equality Act.
We use data to identify and address disparities, ensuring transparency and impact in promoting diverse representation at all levels. We work closely with our Colleague Forums, Trade Unions, and an active allies group from corporate management to monitor, evaluate and improve our practices.
Pre‑Employment Checks
Any offer of employment will be subject to required pre‑employment checks, including:
- Proof of address
- Evidence of any name changes (if applicable)
- Right to work in the UK
- Overseas criminal record check (if applicable)
- Satisfactory references
- Occupational Health clearance
- Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations
- DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable)
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Some posts may require a Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service and/or meet specific legal obligations.
Disability Confident Scheme
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.
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