Programme Manager

About Us

Connect2Dorset is a managed service agency owned by Dorset Council providing temporary, contract and interim opportunities into the Council. Our service is built on our values of ethical, trustworthy, and caring, and our profits are returned to our Local Authority shareholders.

Purpose and impact

1. To create and manage the successful delivery of programmes or groups of projects within Dorset Council's Transformation Programme that meet strategic corporate objectives.
2. Build and manage effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and partners including suppliers.
3. Oversee the day-to-day management of the Programme's resources both people and budget so that outcomes are delivered to time, cost and quality. To direct the work of project managers and project support officers.
4. To ensure programmes are defined according to customer need and strategic objectives and planning reflects Dorset Council's digital service design approach.
5. To provide evidence for project or programme sponsors that demonstrates achievement of objectives.
6. To advise and guide Transformation Board, Senior Leadership Team, Directors and Heads of Service as appropriate on matters concerning the planning and delivery of Dorset Council's Transformation Programme.

Key responsibilities

1. To be responsible for the overall planning, execution and successful outcomes of major programmes within Dorset Council's Transformation Programme, including programme plans, budget, governance arrangements, risks and issues, dependencies, communication, deliverables and outputs.
2. To lead and deliver transformation objectives through the projects and programmes. Monitor overall progress, resolving issues and initiating corrective action as appropriate.
3. To take a lead role ensuring that any interdependencies both within the programme and with other programmes are identified, understood and appropriate action incorporated into plans.
4. To engage with all key stakeholders to ensure that effective relationships are developed and sustained throughout the programmes to ensure that support, buy-in and resolution of issues is achieved and programme objectives achieved.
5. To manage the relationship with any appointed implementation partners and third party suppliers, working closely with the partners or suppliers project manager(s) to ensure successful project delivery.
6. To lead, direct and motivate multi-disciplinary teams for the projects within the programme and line-manage the project managers responsible for delivering the individual projects.
7. To set up and oversee the governance arrangements for the programme, ensuring roles and responsibilities are agreed and understood including at sponsor and director level.
8. To develop and promote best practice on programme management, digital design and business change method, tools and techniques and other related matters across the authority. Provide mentoring opportunities to colleagues for the development of project management skills. V1.0
9. To manage resources within the programme team as directed and according to Council policies and standards including employees, budgets, equipment, suppliers and contractors ensuring that financial and other performance targets are achieved and with due regard to the confidentiality, security and integrity of information held in systems to which the team has access.
10. To identify opportunities for the application of best practice through knowledge and networking with other local authorities, public sector and private organisations and contribute to communities of practice.
11. To ensure programme information is recorded, is up to date and stored safely and securely. Provide reports, outputs and updates according to Dorset Council requirements including highlight reports, risks and issues.
12. To produce written reports as required that contain evidence based recommendations to resolve complex programme and project issues. Presenting these reports to project boards, Programme Boards and to elected members.
13. Provide professional advice and support to Transformation Board, directors, Heads of Service and elected members in the course of programmes and otherwise as appropriate to ensure that they are able to make an effective contribution to the programme outcomes.
14. Contribute to the professional standards and procedures of the Programme Management Office, including processes, templates and method. Represent the PMO internally and externally to support the delivery of Dorset Council's Transformation Programme.
15. Undertake any other comparable or lesser duties commensurate with the general duties of the post, as requested by the Transformation board.

Essential criteria are the minimum requirement for the above post.

Qualifications/training/registrations Required by law, and/or essential to the performance of the role How we expect to see this demonstrated

1. NVQ 4/Degree level qualification or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
2. Management or supervisory qualification e.g. NVQ 3/4 or equivalent or significant experience of working at this level.
3. Proven experience of leading and managing Programme and Project teams Application Interview 4. Proven experience of management and delivering change in a large organisation
4. Proven experience of benefits realisation, budget management and quality assurance within programme delivery
5. Experience of stakeholder management at a senior level Application/Interview Skills, abilities & knowledge
6. Good working knowledge of legislation and guidance related to the function area and any relevant specialist area of work relating to the post
7. Detailed knowledge of policy, procedures and strategic developments relevant to the function area
8. Detailed knowledge and understanding of programme and project management method and best practice
9. Detailed knowledge of largescale corporate transformation
10. Good understanding of the work of local authorities and current developments Interview
11. Ability to manage, motivate and co-ordinate the workload of a team or teams across different functional areas Application
12. Ability to organise, analyse and report on complex statistical and programme management information
13. High quality Programme and Project management skills
14. Ability to build and sustain good working relationships with people at all levels both internal and external.
15. Ability to negotiate, influence and persuade effectively in person and in writing
16. Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills
17. Highly ICT literate and knowledgeable in the application of project management tools
18. Ability to apply confidentiality to all information handled

This is a 26 week interim role

Hybrid

Monday to Friday

Full time

Connect2Dorset is a trading style of Dorset & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Dorset Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Dorset is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.