Improvement Programme Manager

18 Month Fixed Term / Secondment Opportunity

Hackney is one of the most dynamic and progressive local authorities in the UK. We are a resilient, vibrant, and creative borough in the heart of London, with strong, diverse communities and a powerful set of shared values.

Hackney has transformed its education through dedication and ambition, evolving from one of the nation’s lowest-performing boroughs into a recognised leader. Consistently surpassing national averages, we now rank in England’s top quartile for educational excellence. We strive to make our borough the best place for young people to flourish, learn, and achieve, as well as a thriving environment for education professionals.

The Children and Families Services works to a set of practice standards which have been developed to reflect our organisational values with the child being at the centre of everything we do. And works to achieve the best outcomes for every child in the borough. Our Systemic, Trauma-informed and Anti-Racist (STAR) practice model informs everything we do.

The challenge is now to build a new sustainable system that is both ambitious and inclusive for all. And that ensures our limited resources support the most at risk children.

We are looking for an Improvement Programme Manager to join the Children and Education (C&E) Directorate.

The role is to ensure we get the best service for clients by working alongside senior service managers and practitioners to secure the highest quality of service and the most effective and efficient organisation of services.

This is a senior role where primarily your task is twofold:

Firstly, to bring a professional business improvement perspective to service delivery, including the application of business process improvement and lean practices, business planning techniques and a ‘keep it simple’ approach to organisational design.

Secondly, to add operational capacity and value to service managers through support for routine service delivery as well as new ways of working, digital applications, traded service development, and programme & project management.

Overall, your role should provide the means to the effective and efficient use of systems and staff to achieve service and corporate objectives whilst keeping the focus on our customers.

Key Responsibilities:

Will be to programme manage workstreams assisting in the redesign of the Children & Education (C&E) Directorate to enable it to meet its new priorities.

Review and analyse performance and service quality in handling complaints. Develop and implement a service improvement action plan which also accounts for changes to the complaint handling code of practice and incorporates the Directorate’s anti-racist standards.

As well as providing hands-on capacity for a range of tasks, for example, briefing stakeholders.

We are looking for someone with:

– Broad experience of the application of lean and business process improvement methodology and tools in a service driven private or public sector environment.

– Experience in documenting business processes “as-is” and “to-be” and defining cost measurements

– A track record in relationship management and negotiation with internal and stakeholders with positive outcomes.

– Highly competent in the use of relevant IT and information management systems with the skills necessary to present highly accurate and relevant quality data in a variety of formats.

If you are a purpose-driven individual, thrive in a collaborative and efficient environment and are adept at working to deadlines we encourage you to apply. Join us in shaping a better education and children and families directorate.

For further question or if you wish to chat to anyone about this role please use the email here Joss.Thomas@hackney.gov.uk

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s.

To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application.

As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description.

We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

Closing date for applications: 17 August 2025 (22:59)

Interview date: w/c 08 and 15 September 2025

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete an online numeracy assessment and prepare a presentation.

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk