Part Time Programme Manager

Neway is looking for a Programme Manager to join Reigate and Banstead Borough Council on a part time basis., This role is for a Programme Manager but one who is responsible for an array of Projects, The Council is looking for an experienced Programme Manager to ensure appropriate governance and timely delivery of a series of projects relating to the medium term future of arts and culture in the borough, specifically prompted by the Council being unable to operate its theatre due to the presence of RAAC, and following the Council Executive's August 2024 decision.
The individual projects will be project managed by existing Council staff. This programme management role will ensure that these projects come together as a coherent programme, ambitious timescales are achieved, and all project and programme management governance processes are correctly followed.
The individual projects relate to the development of the Council's medium term arts and cultural offer, the future of the Council's existing theatre building, staffing considerations, existing commitments and contracts, and associated communications, engagement and democratic processes.
A core group of officers from across Council teams are involved in work related to the future of the arts and culture, referred to here as "the programme". Over recent months up to circa 15 officers have come together to consider and respond to the latest developments. Most recently, since the August 2024 Executive meeting, officers are convening as the "programme working group", chaired by the Council's Strategic Head of Communities and Wellbeing. The graphic at Figure 1 overleaf provides an overview of the existing programme and project governance structures in place / currently being established.

Work required

Whilst existing managers in our property and theatre services will project manage the different projects / workstrands, given the complexity and high profile nature of the work required, we are seeking a programme manager who will:

1. Coordinate and manage the programme, including ensuring that:
a. the programme progresses at the required pace
b. all necessary project and programme paperwork is completed at the right time and to the right standard, and reported to through the appropriate governance route(s). (For example: Project level documents and reports, as well as programme level documents and reports, such as (but not limited to) project initiation documents, change request forms, risks and issues logs, action trackers.)

2. Support the Programme Sponsor
a. to ensure the smooth operation of the Programme Working Group
b. with reporting to the programme's senior management oversight group
c. by ensuring appropriate records are kept and reports are prepared for both the Working Group and the senior management oversight group.
d. by drafting key programme level updates for elected Members, most notably relevant Members of the Council's Executive (Cabinet)
e. with understanding and tracking programme dependencies, highlighting any deliverability issues and liaising with key colleagues to identify mitigations to ensure delivery

3. If required, support the Project Managers by:
a. providing advice and assistance with project paperwork, consideration of the critical path, key dependencies, etc
b. supporting the development of clearly costed and assessed options for a medium term cultural offer,
c. supporting the development of a business case for the shortlisted option(s)

Time required
It is anticipated that a programme manager will need to spend between 2 and 3 days per week supporting the programme, starting as soon as possible, and continuing provisionally until at least March 2025. There will be some degree of frontloading of the work from the start through to late November 2024.

Reporting and management
The Programme Manager will work directly to the Programme Sponsor (Strategic Head of Communities and Wellbeing who is a member of the Council's Senior Management Team) as well as working closely with the 2 Project Managers (the Council's Property and Arts / Culture lead managers).