Senior Transformation Programme Lead - Waste Services

Senior Transformation Programme Lead - Waste Services

Rugby (Regular on-site presence required) - Interim Contract until the end of January2027. Day Rate - Competitive.

The Opportunity

Rugby Borough Council is seeking a Senior Transformation Programme Lead to drive a high profile Waste Services turnaround programme. The role involves stabilising and improving a frontline operational service facing significant challenges, and is a key corporate priority focused on restoring service performance, strengthening compliance, and embedding sustainable change.

Programme Overview

• Stronger health & safety culture and compliance
• Improved environmental and regulatory standards
• Enhanced fleet, transport and vehicle maintenance operations
• Increased workforce capability, capacity and resilience
• Better depot management and operational performance
• Robust governance, assurance and performance frameworks
• Sustainable organisational and cultural change
• A future fit operating model for high performing waste services

The Role

As the Senior Transformation Programme Lead, you will own the end to end delivery of this complex programme, leading and coordinating multiple interdependent workstreams, establishing and maintaining effective programme governance, and driving delivery against key milestones, outcomes and benefits. You will manage risks, issues and dependencies, ensure alignment across operational, technical and corporate teams, and translate strategy into tangible service improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate multiple interdependent workstreams
• Establish and maintain effective programme governance and assurance
• Drive delivery against key milestones, outcomes and benefits
• Manage risks, issues and dependencies
• Ensure alignment across operational, technical and corporate teams
• Translate strategy into tangible service improvements
• Build strong relationships across operational teams and leadership
• Engage effectively with trade unions and frontline staff
• Coordinate external consultants and SME input
• Ensure clear communication across programme activities

Governance, Risk & Assurance

• Establish robust programme governance structures
• Maintain programme documentation (plans, RAID logs, actions)
• Provide regular reporting to Programme Board and Executive Sponsor
• Monitor risks and ensure effective mitigation strategies
• Track delivery of audit and inspection actions

Workstream Oversight

• Health & Safety Improvement
• Workforce Development
• Fleet, Transport & Vehicle Maintenance
• Systems & Digital
• Environmental & Regulatory Compliance
• Quality Management & Performance
• Depot Operations & Service Improvement

Essential Experience

• Proven track record in delivering large scale transformation or turnaround programmes
• Leading change within complex operational environments
• Programme governance, reporting and assurance frameworks
• Risk, issue and dependency management
• Driving health & safety and compliance improvements
• Managing multidisciplinary teams and specialist resources
• Influencing senior stakeholders, programme boards and elected members
• Delivering measurable programme outcomes
• Experience within Local Government and/or regulated environments

Highly Desirable Experience

• Waste Services
• Environmental Services
• Fleet Management
• Transport Operations
• Vehicle Maintenance

Qualifications

• MSP Practitioner
• PRINCE2 Practitioner
• APM Practitioner (or equivalent)