Strategic Programme Manager
London Borough of Islington
About The Role
We’re building a small cohort of Strategic Programme Managers at the heart of the Council’s Strategy and Programmes function. This team acts as a centre of excellence for change - bringing structure, grip and pace to cross‑council priorities, and connecting enabling services so effort lands where residents feel it.
The role
You will lead one of our strategic change programmes (which include Thriving Places (our organisational operating model); Changing Futures (our children's reform programme); our housing improvement programme; our cleaner Islington programme; or our organisational culture change programme.) from discovery through delivery - clarifying the problem to solve, agreeing outcomes, setting up fit‑for‑purpose governance, and orchestrating delivery across services and partners. You’ll map and manage inter-dependencies across the change portfolio, use data and insight to drive decisions, and keep benefits real and visible. You’ll also shape compelling, evidence‑based business cases and options that help leaders choose the best route forward.
- Stand‑up and steer programmes that span multiple services and partners - providing clear direction to multi‑disciplinary delivery teams in a matrix setting.
- Act as part of a change centre‑of‑excellence: setting common standards, joining the dots across initiatives, and proactively surfacing risks, issues and dependencies.
- Develop robust business cases, benefits frameworks and delivery plans; track performance and course‑correct with pace.
- Design inclusive engagement, bringing residents’ lived experience and staff insight into programme design and decision‑making.
- Provide crisp, credible assurance and narrative to senior officers and Boards - making complexity simple and actionable.
About you
You’re an experienced strategic minded programme manager who thrives in complexity. You’re as comfortable shaping strategy as you are getting delivery moving; you can lead through influence, not just line management; and you bring a test‑learn‑adapt mindset that balances ambition with evidence. You know how to hold benefits to the light, make smart trade‑offs, and communicate clearly with everyone from delivery teams to senior leaders.
Where this role sits
These roles sit in the Council’s central Strategy & Programmes function, working across the organisation’s strategic change portfolio. You’ll collaborate closely with enabling services - Digital, Data & Insight, Finance, Communications, Public Health, Policy and Equalities as we as directorates owning cross cutting change programmes.
Work style and support
We work in a genuinely hybrid way that keeps us close to our residents, partners and teams. You can expect a regular, in‑borough presence alongside the flexibility to work remotely, supported by modern collaboration tools and work spaces. While you will report into the corporate centre, these significant programmes of change have a matrix delivery model, drawing from the services themselves.
Why join us
- A mandate to tackle organisation wide priorities with visible impact for residents.
- A supportive, learning‑oriented environment that values inclusion and diverse perspectives.
- Flexible working and council‑wide benefits, with clear development pathways (we’ll share more in the recruitment pack and “Why work for us” information).
Damien Cole - Programme Director
Email: [email protected]
We kindly ask that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy. We are managing the recruitment process internally and will reach out directly should we require external support. Thank you for your understanding.
Working for the team, service and our organisation
Islington is a place rich with diversity and culture. As a council our sense of purpose couldn’t be clearer: we serve. It’s in the logo. We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Together we can change the future.
We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive.
To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out ‘CARE’, which is what we think public service is all about.
- Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service
- A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as well as a 35-hour working week
- Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential
- Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum
- Excellent local government pension scheme
- Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
- Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more!
We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to any unlawful discrimination, harassment, or victimisation on the grounds of any protected characteristics under the 2010 Equality Act, including but not limited to race, disability, sexual orientation, sex, religion and belief, age, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity. Any incidents of discrimination will be promptly investigated and addressed in line with our HR policies to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all colleagues.
We use data to identify and address disparities, ensuring that our policies and practices are transparent and impactful in promoting a diverse representation of backgrounds and perspectives at all levels of the organisation. We look at inequality through an intersectional lens, recognising that different aspects of someone’s identity can combine to create unique experiences of discrimination and disadvantage.
We know that advancing diversity and inclusion is a continuous journey, and we must listen to our colleagues and learn where we can further improve. We work closely with our Colleague Forums and Trade Unions, supported by active allies from our Corporate Management Team, to monitor and evaluate our practices, identify barriers, and empower colleagues to promote equality and inclusion in the workplace.
Every one of us has a role to play in making Islington Council a truly inclusive workplace. By living out our CARE (collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering) values every day and embedding the principles of equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work, we can all actively contribute to empowering people and creating a more equal Islington.
Pre‑Employment Checks
Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre‑employment checks. These may include:
- Proof of address
- Evidence of any name changes (if applicable)
- Right to work in the UK
- Overseas criminal record check (if applicable)
- Satisfactory references
- Occupational Health clearance
- Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations
- DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable)
