Programme Manager – Change Management

Job Description

The Improvement Service (IS) is a publicly funded company limited by guarantee. We exist to support councils and their partners to improve the health, quality of life and opportunities of all Scottish people through community leadership, strong local governance and the delivery of high quality, efficient local services.

Working for the IS means joining a small family of professionals, who work together to strive for continuous improvement in the public sector and ultimately, better outcomes for Scotland’s communities.

Our company headquarters are based in West Lothian, located conveniently for commuters between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Pay is only one of the benefits of working for the IS, our terms and conditions are progressive and flexible, and employees are rewarded with a generous annual leave entitlement of forty one days per year as well as a flexible working policy.

The IS is committed to promoting equality and diversity in all its activities to promote inclusive processes, practices and culture.

The IS is a Disability Confidence Committed Employer. We are committed to interviewing anyone with a disability who meets the essential criteria.

An exciting opportunity has arisen with the Improvement Service in the role of Programme Manager - Change Management. This is a temporary position for approximately 12 months (to cover Maternity Leave). The post-holder will be part of the IS Transformation, Performance and Improvement Team.

The Programme Manager will work to the Head of Transformation, Performance and Improvement. The post holder will be the daily operational lead for the change management work stream and lead officer for the Solace/IS Transformation Programme Management Office (PMO). They will manage all activities relating to the work stream, including liaison with IS programme heads, partner bodies and key stakeholders including SOLACE, COSLA, all councils, CPPs, the audit and inspection bodies and Scottish Government. The post-holder will be responsible for overseeing the spending of relevant project budgets and managing relevant staff and will account to the Head of Transformation, Performance and Improvement for this. The post holder will also make recommendations on the future development of the work stream.

Requirements

Location: West Lothian Council Civic Centre, Howden South Road, Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 6FF. Occasional travel across Scotland.

Duration of contract: Fixed term contract to 31^st August 2025 to cover maternity leave. Secondments welcome.

Hours: Standard working week is 36 hours Monday to Friday. Hours can be worked flexibly in agreement with the Line Manager.

Closing date: Friday 26th April 2024

Interview information: A competence-based interview will take place Wednesday 22nd May, dates to be confirmed (shortlisted candidates will be advised in advance of the interview). 

For more information about competency-based interviews, see our 'Guide to Competency-based Interviews'. You may also find it useful to read our current Business Plan 2024-25