Head of Strategic Programmes and Improvement

Overview

Are you ready to lead transformative change and drive efficiency across a large local authority? We are looking for a forward‑thinking, influential and highly capable Head of Strategic Programmes and Improvement to lead a high‑performing service at the heart of the Council’s transformation ambitions.

This is a unique senior leadership opportunity to shape and drive how we deliver change across the organisation ensuring governance is robust, assurance is proportionate, and our programme delivery capability is strong, consistent, and impactful.

You’ll lead a £3M strategic service, guide multidisciplinary teams, and play a pivotal role in delivering major transformation programmes that directly support our corporate priorities. If you’re motivated by complexity, thrive in a political environment, and bring a passion for organisational improvement, this is the role for you.

Salary of up to £92,610.00 per annum, depending on experience

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

We are a forward-thinking Council committed to delivering exceptional services and creating positive change for our residents. Our values Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative, and Trustworthy guide everything we do. We strive to perform at our best every day, embrace innovation, and work together to achieve meaningful outcomes.

About the role

As Head of Strategic Programmes and Improvement, you will be responsible for the operational, professional and strategic leadership of our integrated change, assurance and improvement service comprising our Change Delivery and Assurance & Change Capability functions.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the delivery of major organisational transformation programmes, including our council‑wide @PACE programme, ensuring high-quality, timely and cost‑effective change outcomes.
• Provide expert professional advice to senior leaders, members and corporate boards on governance, assurance, risk, prioritisation and delivery confidence.
• Shape and implement service strategy, developing operating models, frameworks and standards that underpin corporate transformation.
• Oversee portfolio‑wide planning and prioritisation, balancing demand, capacity and risk to ensure effective decision‑making and measurable benefits.
• Strengthen organisational governance and assurance, ensuring compliance, quality and consistent reporting across programmes and projects.
• Lead performance, budget and workforce planning for the service, ensuring value for money, professional excellence and strong capability across your teams.
• Develop and inspire senior managers, building a collaborative, high-performing culture rooted in our values: Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.
• Represent the council strategically, building strong relationships with internal and external partners and influencing change at an organisational level.

Any-Desk:
As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

About you

You will be an experienced public‑sector leader with a strong track record of delivering complex organisational change, managing high‑performing multidisciplinary teams, and operating confidently within a political environment. You combine deep expertise in programme and project management, assurance, governance and portfolio planning with the strategic insight needed to shape service direction and influence senior decision‑makers. You communicate with clarity and credibility, build productive relationships across departments and partners, and bring the resilience, drive and ambition needed to lead a major corporate service. Alongside your recognised programme or project management qualification and degree‑level education, you model the organisation’s values by setting high standards, driving improvement, collaborating effectively and providing trustworthy, evidence‑based advice.

For further information on this role please see the attached job summary.

Other information

For further information, please contact Joanna Baschnonga at [email protected]

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

a fair and inclusive culture

• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

 

About the Business Unit

The Assistant Chief Executive directorate is central to Buckinghamshire Council’s journey to establish itself as one of the best councils in the country. With a clear focus on service improvement through transformation and a drive to build better relationships with the local community, the directorate is fast-paced; but extremely rewarding. Our teams are not only proactively delivering on projects and plans but also reacting to developing situations. If you are ambitious, innovative, and would relish the opportunity to influence change - a role within our service area could be your next career move.

The team includes exciting areas of work, including our Policy and Communications, Legal and Democratic Services teams – innovating the way we communicate with our colleagues, Members and the local community, and role-modelling best practice through policy, planning and legal services. If you think you can help us achieve our goals, and want to be a part of this exciting journey, we would love to hear from you!

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/