Digital Transformation Programme Manager; Collaborative

Location of Role: North Kent Police Station or Chelmsford FHQ

Advert Closing Date: 12/10/2026

Starting Salary: £69,687.00 (pro-rata for part-time vacancies)

Part/Full Time: Full Time

Contract Type:
Temporary

Working Pattern: Mon-Fri

Weekend/Evening Working: No

This is an excellent opportunity to lead the first stage of one of the most significant corporate transformation programmes across Kent Police and Essex Police.

We are looking for an experienced change, transformation or programme professional who is ready to take on a major strategic assignment. You may already be operating as a senior programme manager, or this may be the right next step in your career, providing the opportunity to apply your organisational knowledge, leadership experience and change expertise to a complex, high-profile programme.

The six-month assignment will help shape the future of how both forces manage their people, finances, procurement, payroll, contracts and corporate services. You will work at a senior organisational level and contribute to investment decisions affecting more than 13,500 officers, staff, volunteers and partners across Kent and Essex.

The current SAP Enterprise Resource Planning system has supported both forces for over two decades. A comprehensive review is now required to identify the most appropriate future solution. This is not simply a technology project. It is a major business transformation initiative with significant organisational, operational and financial implications.

You will lead the discovery, options appraisal and business case phase, working with senior leaders, business stakeholders and an external delivery partner. You will help establish the programme's vision, scope, costs, risks and anticipated benefits, bringing together business, operational, commercial and technical perspectives to support informed decision-making at Chief Officer level.

This opportunity would suit someone who can demonstrate a strong track record in organisational change and is ready to lead a substantial, cross-force assignment. You will need the confidence to work with senior stakeholders, navigate complex organisational priorities and turn detailed information into clear recommendations.

You do not need to have previously held an identical programme manager role. We welcome applications from experienced change professionals who can demonstrate the leadership, strategic thinking and organisational credibility needed to step successfully into this assignment.

Although initially offered as a six-month appointment, this role forms the first phase of a much wider transformation journey. Subject to approval of the resulting business case and recommendations, the forces anticipate moving into procurement, implementation and delivery. The successful candidate will therefore have a valuable opportunity to influence the programme from its earliest stage and help establish the foundations for future delivery.

At shortlisting, we will be looking for clear evidence of:

• Experience of leading organisational change, transformation activity or complex programmes, with the ability to step into a senior programme leadership role.
• Experience of developing options, recommendations or business cases to support organisational investment and decision-making.
• Experience of working with senior stakeholders and governance bodies, providing clear advice, assurance and constructive challenge.
• A strong understanding of complex dependencies, risks and cross-organisational impacts.
• The ability to bring together business, operational and technical perspectives and translate complex information into clear, meaningful recommendations.
• Line manager endorsement.

• Experience of ERP, core business systems, or large corporate platforms within complex organisations.
• Experience of supporting or leading large-scale procurement activity and managing delivery partners or suppliers.
• Experience working in, or closely with, public sector or policing environments.
• Familiarity with structured business case approaches, such as the Five Case Model.

Whilst this role is primarily home-based, there is expectations of your flexibility to travel to locations across Kent and Essex as required to meet with the stakeholder group. Travel will also be expected to meet with the Delivery Partner or suppliers as part of the Business Case build, and may also be required for Reference Site Visits as part of the research and procurement stages.

If you would like further information on this role…