Head of PMO

About the Role

We are seeking a Head of PMO to lead the central Programme Management Office for the Area-Wide Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Programme. This temporary role, available until 31 March 2028, is based in Winchester, England, and involves steering a high-profile government-driven initiative to redesign local government across Hampshire and the Solent region.

The LGR programme is a transformative effort to restructure 15 councils into new unitary authorities that will oversee local services. This ambitious change aims to streamline government operations, enhance service delivery, boost accountability, and establish financially sustainable local authorities. The programme encompasses comprehensive redesigns of services, governance, technology, finance, assets, human resources, and organizational structures, ensuring uninterrupted safe service delivery during the transition.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the central PMO, setting standards, roles, routines, and service expectations across the programme.
• Manage the programme control framework, integrating planning, milestones, change control, dependencies, and critical path visibility.
• Oversee governance structures for boards and working groups, ensuring timely preparation of documents, decision-making, action tracking, and escalation pathways.
• Supervise programme reporting and management information to provide clear insights for executive decisions and assurance processes.
• Direct the approach to risk, issue management, assurance, and readiness, proactively identifying and addressing emerging concerns.
• Offer strategic advice to senior leadership such as the Programme Director and Director of Implementation on programme confidence, controls, readiness, and overall delivery health.

Required Experience and Attributes

• Extensive leadership experience in PMO, portfolio offices, programme assurance, or major programme controls.
• Profound knowledge of governance, planning, reporting, assurance, risk management, and readiness disciplines.
• Proven capability to build or lead PMO functions within complex change environments.
• Exceptional strategic judgment and credibility in advising senior leaders.
• Experience in managing teams, including managers and specialist professionals.
• An authoritative, analytical, and composed demeanor with constructive challenge skills to support delivery success.

Benefits and Additional Information

• Holiday entitlement, pension scheme, flexi-time options, family-friendly policies, interest-free travel loans, and discounts.
• A supportive, inclusive workplace focused on flexibility, motivation, and professional growth.

Additional Details

This role may require travel within Hampshire to various locations as needed. Hampshire County Council is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults. The recruitment process is inclusive, equitable, and aligned with Disability Confident Employer status. Applicants will not face discrimination based on age, disability, gender identity, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, or pregnancy, except where genuine occupational requirements apply.