Job Description

Programme Management Lead - BSIP Delivery Plan
Fixed Term, 18 months
Full Time, 37 hours per week
45,026 to 52,971 per annum
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style:
Closing Date: 30th November 2025
Interviews expected to be held early December 2025
Join the Integrated Passenger Transport Unit (IPTU), an innovative and ambitious team driving transformative change in public transport across Essex. At an exciting time for the county, the team is delivering a multi-million-pound Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), a programme designed to enhance connectivity, sustainability, and accessibility for communities. Our work spans pioneering zero-emission bus pilots, improving ticketing systems, upgrading routes and networks, and engaging with local communities to shape services that meet their needs. At the heart of Everyone's Essex, IPTU is committed to creating a greener, more efficient transport system that underpins economic growth and improves everyday journeys for residents.
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The Role
The Programme Management Lead will lead the programme management of the 24.4m Bus Service Improvement Delivery Plan. Reporting directly to the Head of the Integrated Passenger Transport Unit, the post holder will manage a diverse programme from zero emission bus projects to infrastructure delivery, to the delivery of new bus services across Essex. The post holder will work collaboratively to support the teams delivering the projects and manage the senior level boards overseeing the programme.
The post holder will be responsible for setting up a programme structure, supporting and overseeing the delivery of the programme; managing timelines and risks; and ensuring issues are identified and resolved. This responsibility will include managing the governance of the programme itself and ensuring delivery complies with wider ECC and DfT governance. The post holder is also responsible for providing assurance to the SRO on delivery progress. Responsibility for delivering the projects themselves sits within the team - the post holder will support and monitor that delivery.
You'll work with a dynamic and friendly team delivering a programme that's at the heart of Everyone's Essex and underpins economic growth across the county.
Accountabilities

• Accountable for setting up and managing the 24.4m Bus Service Improvement Delivery Plan programme, to support the delivery of specific outcomes for large-scale projects and ensure timely, cost-effective delivery of transport improvements aligned with strategic objectives.
• Accountable for the day-to-day management of the programme, including supporting and providing the secretariat for the Senior Officer Monitoring Board and Operational Delivery Board.
• Accountable for ensuring delivery and spend are tracked and reported to the appropriate board (monthly) and to the Department for Transport (quarterly), ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Accountable for ensuring risks and resourcing requirements identified by the Operational Delivery Board are escalated where appropriate and that mitigation or resolution plans are developed and monitored.
• Work collaboratively with the team, colleagues in Finance, Legal and Procurement, with the SRO and other Senior Officers, to ensure accurate project updates and cross-department alignment.
• Responsible for undertaking day to day management of the programme, weekly operational programme meetings, monthly BSIP Delivery Monitoring Board meetings and quarterly reporting returns to the Department for Transport.
• Responsible for ensuring robust plans and processes are agreed and ensuring the right expertise and specialist knowledge is engaged.
• Responsible for developing and monitoring the programme's progress to ensure it stays within the agreed budget, and setting out resource requirements to be prioritised.
• Responsible for highlighting risks and issues and ways in which these can be mitigated and escalated as appropriate.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to degree level or equivalent by experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area.
• Proven experience of working within complex organisations, aligning differing priorities and outcomes across multiple stakeholders
• Demonstrates strong leadership and collaboration skills by fostering effective teamworking and building productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Skilled in navigating sensitive or challenging issues with diplomacy and professionalism, using strong brokering and influencing skills.
• Experience of coordinating or supporting programme governance, including risk and issue management, reporting, and assurance processes.
• Ability to work across organisational boundaries and with external partners, including councillors, government departments, transport operators, and community groups.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear reports, briefings, and updates for senior audiences.
• Comfortable using digital tools and systems to support programme delivery, including project tracking, reporting, and collaboration platforms
• Experience working with a range of key stakeholders including Councillors, bus operators, community groups, bus user groups and the general public

Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in . With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government's devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about ) on our careers site
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Once you've secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
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