Transformation Programme Director

We are seeking an experienced Transformation Programme Director to lead the end-to-end delivery of a whole-council diagnostic programme. This is a senior leadership role sitting within a small, high-performing delivery team, with mobilisation expected to begin in June 2026. Team formation confirmation is required within the next 2-3 weeks.

The Director will own the diagnostic methodology, baseline analysis, rapid service review synthesis and the development of Cabinet-ready recommendations, ensuring delivery to time, cost and quality throughout. The role requires someone equally comfortable driving rigorous, evidence-based analysis as they are engaging with senior officers and elected members.

Key Responsibilities

· Own the integrated delivery plan and milestone acceptance criteria across all programme workstreams, including triangulated baseline, peer benchmarking, service reviews, Target Operating Model (TOM) options and organisational design proposals.

· Lead triangulated baseline and peer benchmarking with a minimum of three comparable local authorities, covering finance, demand, workforce, contracts, assets, technology, data and customer views.

· Synthesise rapid service review outputs across all service clusters - whole-council scope including enabling functions, commissioning/contracting and digital/data/BI - into TOM options and up to three organisational structure proposals.

· Lead Communities Operating Model alignment, developing options for community empowerment and co-production proposals with VCSE and partner organisations.

· Produce and present a Cabinet/Change Board assurance pack summarising findings, options and recommendations, reporting into the client's senior responsible officer via the monthly Change Board and Cabinet Member briefing cycle.

· Ensure co-delivery with client council teams through embedded "learn by doing" and handover disciplines, using the client's Microsoft 365/Teams/SharePoint environment with transparent, fully auditable documentation.

· Embed knowledge transfer throughout the programme: toolkits, blueprint documents, recorded clinics and structured handover sessions aligned to each milestone.

· Lead governance and assurance arrangements, including gateway reviews at programme transitions and Change Board moderation of business cases and benefits assumptions.

Technical & Delivery Requirements

Do you have experience in SharePoint?, Do you have a Bachelor's degree?, · Proven track record leading complex whole-council or equivalent public sector transformation programmes, including diagnostic and TOM design phases.

· Strong synthesis capability: converting multi-source diagnostic data into prioritised initiative portfolios with credible delivery roadmaps and risk mitigation plans.

· Demonstrable experience presenting to and influencing senior officers, Cabinet Members and trade unions through periods of significant change.

· Familiarity with benefits profiling, Power BI dashboard reporting and public sector finance sign-off processes.

· Understanding of Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) and workforce impact assessment processes in a local government context.

Desired Skills & Experience

· 10+ years' transformation leadership in local government or comparable public sector settings; unitary authority experience particularly valued.

· Experience of communities operating model design or VCSE co-production approaches.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills; proven ability to produce Cabinet-quality assurance packs and present findings to political stakeholders.

· Knowledge of social value commitments and sustainability reporting within public sector contracts., * Briefly describe your experience leading whole-council or organisation-wide diagnostics?

• Briefly describe your experience designing Target Operating Models (TOM)?
• Briefly describe your experience producing Cabinet or Board-level assurance packs?
• Briefly describe your experience presenting to elected members or political stakeholders?
• Briefly describe your experience of peer benchmarking and benefits profiling?
• Please confirm any certifications or professional qualifications you hold?
• Please confirm your availability for work, including any notice period?

Education:

• Bachelor's (preferred)

Experience:

• public sector transformation programme leadership : 10 years (preferred)
• local government: 10 years (preferred)

Language:

• English (required)

Contract length 6 months (Phase 1) with potential Phase 2 extension.

Agencies - Please note we do not require any external support for this recruitment.

This role is advertised on a daily rate basis; however, we also offer a salaried option ranging from £110,000 to £140,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

Equal Opportunities

As a proud Ethnic Minority Owned Business, ZR Consultants is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity of thought and background. We welcome applicants from all communities to bring their unique perspectives and experiences to our team.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract Contract length: 6 months

Pay: £700.00-£900.00 per day

ZR Consultants (ZRC) is a successful business consulting firm specialising in Governance, Risk and Controls with a track record of delivering large scale projects which include SOX Compliance (Sarbanes Oxley), Business and IT Controls Transformation (SAP4/HANA, ORACLE Fusion Control & process design), Controls rationalisation and optimisation, Artificial Intelligence Compliance, Internal Audits, ESG, and regulatory compliance to clients globally.