Head of Strategic Programmes and Improvement

Overview

Buckinghamshire Council is seeking an exceptional leader to head our Strategic Programmes and Improvement Service at a time of significant organisational transformation and change.

This influential role will lead and develop a service responsible for programme and project delivery, governance, assurance, organisational improvement and change capability across the Council. Working closely with senior leaders, Members and partners, you will ensure that major programmes and transformation initiatives are effectively prioritised, governed and delivered, achieving measurable benefits for our residents and communities.

You will provide maternity leave cover on a fixed term basis, providing strategic leadership for both our Change Delivery and Assurance & Change Capability functions, driving continuous improvement, strengthening organisational change capability and embedding robust governance and assurance arrangements across the Council.

Fixed term end date 1st May 2027

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.  

About the role

Reporting to the Service Director, Major Projects, you will provide operational and professional leadership for the Strategic Programmes and Improvement Service. You will oversee the delivery of organisational change, governance, assurance and improvement activity, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and strategic objectives.

You will manage two Strategic Leads and provide overall leadership for a multidisciplinary team of programme managers, business partners, analysts and assurance specialists, ensuring high standards of performance, professional practice and staff wellbeing.

Key Accountabilities

You will:

• Lead and manage the Strategic Programmes and Improvement Service, ensuring high-quality delivery across Change Delivery and Assurance & Change Capability functions.
• Lead the Council's organisational transformation programme, delivering complex change and significant financial savings.
• Provide strategic advice and support to senior leaders, Members and stakeholders on transformation, governance, assurance and improvement activity.
• Ensure effective governance and assurance arrangements are in place across portfolios, programmes and projects.
• Oversee portfolio planning, prioritisation and resource allocation to support delivery of corporate priorities.
• Lead performance management arrangements including KPIs, benefits realisation, risk management and organisational maturity measures.
• Manage operational, political and programme risks, ensuring effective mitigation and appropriate escalation.
• Drive continuous improvement and embed learning and best practice across the organisation.
• Sponsor major corporate programmes and service improvement initiatives.
• Lead, motivate and develop high-performing teams and future leaders.
• Manage the service budget, ensuring value for money and effective use of resources.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external partners to achieve successful outcomes for the Council.

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

We are looking for a highly credible and experienced leader with a successful track record of delivering large-scale organisational change and transformation within a complex organisation, ideally within local government or the wider public sector.

You will bring:

• Significant experience leading a major professional service or function within a large and complex organisation.
• Extensive knowledge of programme management, governance, assurance, organisational change and continuous improvement.
• Strong understanding of local government, political environments and the external factors influencing public services.
• A proven track record of leading and delivering major transformation programmes and organisational change initiatives.
• Experience managing significant budgets and delivering services within agreed financial resources.
• Exceptional leadership, stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
• The ability to build collaborative partnerships and inspire high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
• A recognised Portfolio, Programme or Project Management qualification and degree-level education or equivalent experience.

Other information

if you have any questions about the role please contact Joanna Baschnonga at [email protected]

Internal closing date: Sunday 12th of July 2026. 

Interviews: TBC 

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.

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.

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/