'Programme Delivery Lead - Major Projects' - Local Authority

Major Projects Programme Delivery Lead

Midlands Local Authority Up to £900 per day Hybrid - 3 days on site 9-month contract

• Senior programme leadership role supporting a major regeneration, infrastructure and place-based growth programme.
• The role will lead operational readiness for a significant transport and interchange programme, ensuring the council is prepared for key delivery milestones in 2026.
• You will also act as client lead for a major place-based masterplan, overseeing procurement, mobilisation, consultant management, governance and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong experience across regeneration, infrastructure, economic development, place-making, programme governance and complex public sector delivery is essential.
• The successful candidate will need to work confidently with senior leaders, elected Members, regional partners, consultants, developers and internal council teams.

Candidate essentials:

For the formal job ad, I'd include these as the essential criteria:

Essential experience and skills

• Proven experience leading major regeneration, infrastructure, economic development or place-based programmes in a complex public sector environment.
• Strong programme delivery background, with the ability to bring multiple projects into one coherent programme, manage dependencies, risks, governance, reporting and assurance.
• Experience working with senior leaders, elected Members, regional partners, consultants, developers and internal council teams.
• Strong understanding of local government governance, public procurement, capital programme delivery and strategic partnership working.
• Experience procuring, mobilising and managing external consultants or professional advisory teams.
• Ability to produce high-quality Cabinet reports, Member briefings, executive updates, risk reports, dashboards and decision papers.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority and work across organisational boundaries.
• Delivery-focused approach, with the ability to bring pace, grip and clarity to high-profile programmes.
• Experience managing political, financial and reputational risk in a sensitive public sector environment.
• Comfortable working in a hybrid role with regular on-site presence as required.