Head of Capital Programmes

About Barnet Council

Barnet is a London borough with a strong mix of well-regarded schools, busy town centres, extensive green spaces and diverse communities. The council is focused on building on these strengths while adapting for the future. It is growing as an organisation to respond to the borough’s needs and works closely with partners and residents to make Barnet an even better place to live and work. The council’s values are Learning to Improve, Caring, Inclusive and Collaborative, and these guide how the organisation operates.

About the Role

This senior leadership position sits within the Capital Delivery service and is accountable for a defined portfolio of capital projects across buildings and community infrastructure. The portfolio includes schools, leisure centres and wider public estate assets. The role is responsible for making sure projects are properly defined, governed and delivered against agreed time, cost and quality targets, while working closely with project sponsors and service leads.

You will provide expert leadership, advice and assurance on complex programmes, including support for strong business cases, delivery plans and governance frameworks. The role also involves leading multidisciplinary teams, working with external partners and making sure risks are identified early, managed effectively and escalated when needed.

Although the focus is on a specific portfolio, the role also contributes to the wider leadership of Capital Delivery by helping to build consistent standards, stronger governance and a high-performing delivery culture across the council.

What You Need

The council is looking for someone with substantial experience leading complex capital programmes from early concept through to completion, particularly across schools, leisure facilities and other public buildings or community infrastructure. You should be comfortable working at a senior level with project sponsors, senior officers and elected Members on high-profile and politically sensitive work.

Strong programme governance and assurance capability is essential, including the ability to assess risk, test assumptions and support sound decision-making. You will also need solid commercial and financial awareness, including experience managing budgets, appointing external consultants and achieving value for money.

Effective leadership is important, as you will need to motivate and support multidisciplinary teams in a matrix environment. Clear communication, influencing and relationship-building skills are also critical, especially when explaining complex matters to a broad range of stakeholders.

Benefits and Rewards

In return, Barnet Council offers 31 days of annual leave, plus public and bank holidays. You will also have access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, providing a guaranteed retirement income and protection for dependants.

The council supports work-life balance and may offer hybrid working, flexitime, job sharing, home working and part-time arrangements. Additional benefits include discounts with major retailers, supermarkets, energy suppliers and other partners, as well as payroll benefits such as cycle to work, eye care vouchers, travel schemes and gym membership. Employees also have access to training and development opportunities, plus wellbeing support and confidential employee assistance services.

How to Apply

Please read the job description and person specification before starting the online application. If you would like more information before applying, you may contact Matthew Waters, Assistant Director – Capital Delivery.

Important Information for Current Barnet Council Employees

Employees who have access to Oracle are encouraged to apply through the internal Opportunity Marketplace where possible, so applications are correctly identified as internal and any delays in recruitment are avoided.

Recruitment, Equality and Safeguarding

The council may close the vacancy before the advertised closing date if enough applications are received, so early application is recommended. Any dates shown in the online application system may appear in US format because of system settings. If you have not heard back within four working weeks of the closing date, you should assume you have not been shortlisted.

Barnet Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, and uses rigorous safer recruitment checks. These may include AI detection screening, biometric ID and right-to-work checks, qualification and registration checks, up to six years of employment data and screening insights, up to five years of employment references, DBS checks, credit checks, social media checks, sanctions checks and occupational health screening.

The council is also committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. Flexible working is supported, including part-time, compressed hours and hybrid arrangements. Reasonable adjustments can be discussed during the application or interview process. Barnet Council is a Disability Confident Committed Employer and supports access to work for disabled applicants and people with health conditions.

All council posts are subject to a probationary period of six months. The council also notes that AI may be used as a support tool in applications only if all information is truthful, accurate and based on the candidate’s own experience; misuse or plagiarism may lead to withdrawal of the application or further action.