Transformation Lead

About The Role

Working hours: 35 hours per week

Contract type: Temporary until March 2027

Working style: Hybrid - Employees split their time between working remotely (e.g., from home) and working on-site (e.g., in an office).

Closing date: 11.59pm, 10 August 2026

Interview method: in person

Applicants must have existing right to work in the UK , as visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This role is subject to:

• Legal right to Work:  In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment.
• 2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history .

Do you want to be at the heart of transforming how our workforce is equipped and ready for digital change? 

We are looking for someone to work closely with colleagues in Organisation Development & Transformation and the Finance and HR System Programme Team (who are implementing our new system) to promote and get our staff ready for the digital change to come.  

In this role you will need to be solution focused, with proven experience of successfully managing change including delivering a range of support materials and supporting staff through implementations to achieve business benefits.  

The Transformation team forms one of the 6 functional areas within Organisational Development &Transformation, and duties include: 

• Supporting the internal digital transformation of the Corporate Core through modernising and improving ways of working for all 
• Helping the workforce to be ready for change with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to adopt new systems and ways of working
• Delivery activity in support of developing a culture of high trust and high accountability with clear expectations of people, systems, and processes
• Drive work to embed the Our Manchester values across the organisation

This role will work closely with the team delivering the new cloud-based SAP Finance and HR system. It will support the organisation to adapt to new ways of working by enabling staff to self-serve for Finance and HR tasks. This will involve leading change management activity, engaging staff, and creating practical tools to help the workforce navigate and adopt the changes.

For queries about the role contact: Esther Richmond – [email protected]

About the Candidate

Please demonstrate in your supporting statement the following requirements:

• Experience of end-to-end behaviour Change Delivery
• Communication Skills: Can effectively transfer key and complex information to all levels of staff, adapting the style of communication as necessary and ensuring that this information is understood.
• Research and Intelligence: Ability to conduct research using a variety of techniques, to gather evidence and evaluate intelligence, recording in compliance with documented standards.
• Planning and Organising: Excellent time management skills, creating own work schedules, prioritising, preparing in advance and setting realistic timescales for own self and others. Has the ability to visualise a sequence of actions needed to achieve a specific goal and how to estimate the resources required.
• Problem Solving and Decision Making: Bases decisions on assessment of critical risks against the achievement of objectives, enabling practical solutions to be developed.
• Project and Change Management: Proven experience of successfully managing and delivering a range of projects and support packages within a structured project or change management structure such as PRINCE 2, APMG, PROSCI or equivalent. Ability to plan, direct and coordinate activities to manage and implement interrelated projects from project initiation through to implementation.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to identify best practice and analyse trends and patterns to develop ideas for the strategy of the service.
• Proven experience of successfully managing change projects and delivering a wide range of complex projects within a diverse workload

About Us

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.

Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

Benefits we offer

• Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks during our annual leave purchase period.
• A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process. 
• A Good Employment Charter member - W e are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits. 

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council 

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments : Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats : Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page . This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme 

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirement s for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below :

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care.
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term condition
• Have you completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programmes?

When You Join Us 

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly .

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [email protected] .

What we will need from you if you're successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship. 

Pre-Employment Checks 

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for, see the top of the advert for details.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve. 

Other relevant information 

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role. 

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.

Use of  Artificial Intelligence (AI) Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually  accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been  identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be  withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Calculate your take home pay Use this service to estimate how much Income Tax and National Insurance you should pay for the current tax year.