Senior Programme Manager

What will you be doing?

PLEASE NOTE: Applications for this role are currently open only to existing staff of Kent County Council, Medway Council and Kent's District & Borough Councils.

Shape the future of local government in Kent & Medway

This is a rare opportunity to play a pivotal role in one of the most complex and high‑profile public sector transformation programmes in the country.

The Kent & Medway Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Programme is delivering fundamental change to how local government is designed and delivered across the region. We are now looking for experienced Senior Programme Managers to help lead this journey, ensuring services remain safe, resilient and ready for the future.

If you thrive at pace, enjoy working across organisational boundaries, and want to make a lasting difference for our residents, this role offers challenge, visibility and impact in equal measure.

About the role

Reporting to the Programme Director, you will play a key leadership role within the LGR Programme, leading major programme components, workstreams and projects that underpin successful reorganisation. You will:

• Provide visible, confident leadership across a complex, multi‑organisation programme and workstreams
• Drive delivery of critical milestones, ensuring statutory compliance and service continuity
• Shape programme design, governance and assurance arrangements
• Support decision‑making through high‑quality advice and reporting
• Build trusted relationships with senior leaders, partner councils, government departments and external advisers
• Act as a ‘critical friend’, bringing challenge, insight and sound professional judgement

As part of this programme, you will be expected to work impartially on behalf of all 14 existing councils and the future council(s), setting aside previous organisational allegiances in the interests of the programme as a whole.

What you’ll bring to the team

You’ll be an accomplished professional with a strong track record of delivering successful outcomes within local government or a multi‑agency public sector environment.

We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Experience of working on important programmes or projects
• Strong programme planning, governance and assurance capability
• A pragmatic, proportionate approach to programme and project management methodologies
• Excellent communication skills, including clear reporting to political and senior forums
• The ability to remain calm, focused and effective in uncertain, fast‑moving environments

Why join the Kent & Medway LGR Programme?

• Be at the heart of once‑in‑a‑generation public sector change
• Work with talented colleagues from across Kent & Medway in a genuinely collaborative environment
• Gain exposure to senior decision‑making and complex system leadership
• Develop your career through a highly visible, strategically important role
• Make a real difference to how services are delivered to residents for years to come

Our shared Kent and Medway values

We are one team, working openly and collaboratively across Kent & Medway. We are caring, respectful and people‑centred, open and accountable, curious and ambitious, and proud of the difference we are making together.

Interested?

Applications are currently open to existing staff of Kent County Council, Medway Council and Kent District & Borough Councils only.

This is an opportunity to step into a senior, influential role at the heart of LGR. If you’re ready to help shape the future of local government in Kent & Medway, we’d love to hear from you.

This post is subject to a Basic Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

About you

For further information, please contact lauren.packer@kent.gov.uk

About us

Work that works for you and us - let's talk flexibility!

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.

Please note - if you are interested, please apply soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.