Opus People Solutions Ltd
Portfolio Manager – Children's Transformation Programme
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Portfolio Manager – Children's Transformation Programme
Interim Assignment | Midlands Unitary Council
£600–£650 per day (Inside IR35)
3–6 Month Contract
Hybrid Working – Midlands (1–2 days per week on site, negotiable)
Drive Transformation That Improves Outcomes for Children and Families
We are supporting a Midlands-based Unitary Council to appoint an experienced Portfolio Manager to play a pivotal role in the development and delivery of a high-profile Children's Transformation Programme.
Working within the Corporate Portfolio Management Office (PMO) and alongside senior leaders across the organisation, you will help create pace, momentum and delivery confidence across a complex portfolio of transformation projects. This is a highly visible role requiring an individual who can operate strategically whilst remaining hands-on in driving progress, resolving issues and ensuring benefits are realised.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced transformation professional who thrives in complex environments and can confidently navigate ambiguity, competing priorities and significant organisational change.
The Opportunity
You will work closely with senior stakeholders, including the Assistant Director responsible for Children's Services reform, to:
- Drive the delivery of a portfolio of transformation and improvement projects.
- Create pace, grip and momentum across programme activity.
- Manage risks, issues, dependencies and delivery challenges.
- Ensure robust governance, assurance and reporting arrangements are in place.
- Support benefits realisation, savings delivery and service improvement outcomes.
- Provide constructive challenge and critical friend support to senior leaders and programme sponsors.
- Build confidence in programme delivery and decision-making through clear performance reporting and insight.
- Lead and coordinate multi-disciplinary teams working across complex change initiatives.
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About You
We are keen to speak with individuals who can demonstrate:
- Significant experience of portfolio, programme and project management within a large and complex organisation.
- A strong track record of leading organisational transformation and service improvement programmes.
- Experience establishing governance, assurance and performance management frameworks.
- The ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders in a constructive and credible manner.
- Experience managing programme risks, dependencies, benefits and financial performance.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement, leadership and communication skills.
- Experience operating within politically sensitive or public sector environments.
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Desirable Experience
- Children's Services transformation.
- Understanding of the national Children's Reform Agenda.
- Local government programme or portfolio management experience.
- PRINCE2, MSP or equivalent programme management qualifications.
Why This Assignment?
This role offers the chance to make a tangible impact within a council undertaking significant transformation activity at a time of change and improvement. You will work alongside senior leaders to shape programmes that improve outcomes for children, young people and families whilst helping the organisation deliver its wider strategic objectives.
Assignment Details
- Contract Length: 3–6 months initially
- Start Date: August 2026
- Rate: £600–£650 per day (negotiable)
- IR35: Inside IR35
- Location: Hybrid working – Midlands Council offices and home-based
- Interview Process: Microsoft Teams
To find out more, please contact:
matthew.masters@opuspeoplesolutions.co.uk
Or submit your CV for a confidential discussion.
Please note that, to protect client confidentiality during the early stages of the search, the name of the council will be disclosed to suitably qualified applicants upon request.
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