Project Manager

Job Details:

Job Reference: HCC624665

Salary Range: £48,948 - £54,423 per annum

Work Location: Elizabeth II Court, Winchester (Hybrid Working)

Hours per week: 37

Contract Type: Temporary until 31 March 2028

Closing Date: 12 August 2026

Interview Date: w/c 24 August and 31 August 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Project Manager to join the Area-Wide Local Government Reorganisation Programme Team.

Are you looking for a challenging and diverse role working as part of a collaborative, high-profile programme, with an opportunity to make a real difference for residents and communities across Hampshire and the Solent?

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is a major government-led programme that is reshaping how local councils are structured and how public services are delivered. Across Hampshire and the Solent, 15 councils are working together to create new unitary authorities that will take responsibility for delivering local government services in the future.

The aim of LGR is to simplify local government structures, improve outcomes for residents, strengthen public services and create organisations that are financially sustainable for the future. By bringing services together within new unitary authorities, the programme seeks to improve efficiency, increase accountability and enable more integrated service delivery.

This is one of the largest and most complex transformation programmes ever undertaken in local government. It involves the redesign of services, governance arrangements, technology, finance, assets, people processes and organisational structures, whilst ensuring that critical services continue to operate safely and effectively throughout the transition.

The programme brings together colleagues from multiple councils and service areas to design and deliver the future operating arrangements needed for the new authorities. This includes planning for "Day 1" readiness, when the new organisations formally come into existence, as well as supporting longer-term transformation and service improvement.

Joining the LGR programme provides a unique opportunity to contribute to a once-in-a-generation change programme that will shape the future of local government across Hampshire and the Solent. Colleagues involved in the programme gain experience of complex transformation, large-scale programme delivery, organisational design, governance, stakeholder engagement and public sector reform, whilst helping to create the foundations of the new authorities.

The Role:

You will lead day-to-day delivery of defined LGR projects and/or work packages, ensuring outputs are planned, coordinated and delivered to time, scope and quality while managing risks, dependencies and stakeholder engagement.

What you’ll do:

• Develop and maintain project plans, milestones, deliverables and reporting in line with programme standards.
• Lead project activity across assigned scope, coordinating subject matter experts and contributors from multiple organisations.
• Manage project risks, issues, dependencies, assumptions and decisions, escalating where required.
• Monitor delivery against agreed timelines, outputs, quality standards and resource assumptions.
• Prepare clear updates, papers and recommendations for programme governance and stakeholder groups.
• Support impact assessment, readiness planning and implementation activity required for safe transition.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience managing projects in a complex operational or change environment.
• Ability to develop plans, manage delivery activity and coordinate multiple stakeholders.
• Experience managing risks, issues, dependencies and reporting.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgement.
• A structured, accountable and collaborative delivery style, with a good understanding of project management disciplines and controls.

Why join us?

• Play a key role in shaping the future of local government across Hampshire and the Solent.
• Gain experience working on a large-scale, high-profile transformation programme.
• Work alongside senior leaders and subject matter experts from multiple authorities.
• Develop expertise in programme management, organisational change, governance and implementation.
• Build relationships and networks across the wider local government sector.
• Make a positive, lasting impact on how services are delivered to residents and communities.

Our benefits package includes details of holiday entitlement, pension scheme, flexi-time scheme, family friendly policies, interest free travel loans and discounts. We offer a flexible, motivating and inclusive workplace where people can grow and develop in their roles.

If you are interested in helping deliver one of the most ambitious transformation programmes in local government, and have the skills and experience we are looking for, we would love to hear from you.

Travel Requirements:

You may be required to visit other locations within Hampshire and therefore need to have the ability to travel, as necessary.

Additional Information:

Project Manager Candidate Pack

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Please email LGRHATS.PMO@hants.gov.uk and we will arrange for a callback.