About the role
We are looking for a committed Programme Manager to lead a small team of advisers in commissioning and delivering a cutting-edge programme of leadership development to councillors and officers at all levels of local government. The Leadership Team provide a range of training and development opportunities and leadership support to councillors and officers at all stages of their careers. In the coming year we will be focussing on new ways to attract new talent to the sector, developing the pipeline of future political and managerial leaders and working with partners to develop a new curriculum and programme that nurtures those in the most senior roles, so that they can lead their organisations to success – the leadership offer is a core part of the LGA’s Sector Support programme for councils.
You will be someone who relishes the challenges presented to them and has a solid track record of creative thinking and leading teams to success. In this role you will lead and manage a small team who manage flagship projects such as the LGA’s Be a Councillor campaign, support for disabled councillors, councillor mentoring and community leadership support and training for councillors. Working closely with the Head of Leadership, you will take ownership of new, high-profile programmes that help shape the LGA’s leadership development offer for senior officers and look for opportunities to enhance and diversify our well-established suite of leadership offers.
About you
With a thorough understanding of the environment in which local and central government operate, you will be able to demonstrate that you can forge positive internal and external relationships with a range of stakeholders including chief executives, external partners and politicians to ensure that our leadership offer meets the needs of council officers and members. You will understand the challenges that local leaders face, the skills and capabilities required to thrive in local government and an ability to adapt content to a range of learning styles.
You will have excellent organisational skills, the ability to deliver under pressure, be politically sensitive, and have the ability to exercise appropriate discretion and judgement on issues of significance and importance, particularly when dealing with politicians and officials.
You will also have strong analytical skills and experience of evaluating the impact of projects with a particular focus on continuous improvement and sharing of best practice. Happy to take the initiative and comfortable working as part of a team or alone, you will have developed your own collaborative working and leadership qualities.
A background or experience in leadership development is not essential, but you should be skilled at managing, overseeing and leading large-scale programmes with a range of stakeholders and understand the nuances of working in a political environment.
You will be committed to and have a strong track record of continuous improvement with respect to equality, diversity and inclusion.
You must have the right to work in the UK, the LGA are unfortunately unable to offer sponsorship visas. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage.
To apply
If you would like to be considered for the role, please complete the online form and include a supporting statement detailing how you meet the criteria of the role before the closing date.
We use anonymous recruitment, which is the practice of hiding candidates’ identities. This process involves removing any identifying information from candidates’ applications which includes names. We are unable to remove candidate’s names from their CV’s. If you wish to remain anonymous, we ask that you take your name off your CV before submitting.
Closing Date: 5pm, Sunday 28 May
Interview Date: Week commencing 05 June, the interview will be held in-person
At the LGA we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our recruitment decisions are based on fair, open competition, with appointment on merit. The LGA are proud to be awarded a “Disability Confident Leader”. If you are require an reasonable adjustment, which is a change to the format or conditions of the recruitment process to accommodate any disability-related needs you may have. Please contact us via HRandPayroll@local.gov.uk