Interim Director of Local Government Re-organisation

Interim Director of Local Government Re‑organisation

Location:

West Sussex (Hybrid Working)

Contract:

24–30 Months

Hours:

Full-Time Start: ASAP

Sanctuary Personnel is recruiting an experienced and strategic leader for an Interim Director of Local Government Re‑organisation role within West Sussex.

This is a significant system‑wide transformation programme, requiring senior‑level leadership across multiple authorities. You will be responsible for ensuring a safe, legal and well‑managed transition to a new operating model, maintaining service continuity while delivering long‑term sustainability and improved outcomes.

As Programme Director, you will provide overall strategic direction for the Local Government Re‑organisation portfolio. You will establish the foundations for future governance, operating structures and service delivery arrangements, while ensuring strong risk management, financial oversight and political alignment.

• Develop and maintain the overall transformation roadmap, milestones and critical path.
• Establish and lead a robust Portfolio Management Office (PMO).
• Translate political priorities into deliverable and measurable implementation plans.

• Implement strong governance and decision‑making frameworks.
• Ensure all constitutional and statutory requirements are prepared for transition.
• Maintain effective risk, issue and dependency management.

• Build effective working relationships with Leaders, Members and Chief Executives.
• Oversee engagement with residents, partners, staff and unions.
• Facilitate collaborative working across authority boundaries.

• Lead programme team design and resourcing.
• Oversee organisational development and workforce transition, including TUPE.
• Maintain collaborative culture across participating authorities.

• Hold accountability for programme budget and benefits realisation.
• Oversee commercial planning and supplier alignment.
• Lead ICT transition planning, data migration and information governance.

• Ensure safe continuity planning across all services.
• Deliver day‑one customer access and operational readiness arrangements.
• Senior leadership of large‑scale public sector transformation or reorganisation programmes.
• Proven delivery of complex portfolios on time and within budget.
• Extensive experience working with elected Members and senior executives.
• Strong financial, commercial and stakeholder management expertise.
• Experience leading organisational, workforce and digital redesign.

• Strong understanding of local government legislation and reorganisation processes.
• Advanced programme and portfolio management capability.
• High political awareness and sound judgement.
• Robust governance, assurance and risk management expertise.
• Understanding of digital, data and ICT transformation requirements.

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