Senior Program Manager

Senior Program Manager

Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Assa Abloy

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead strategic programs and drive transformation initiatives across EMEA.
  • Company: Join HID, a global leader in trusted identity solutions.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and extensive career development.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture with global career opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in program management with strong analytical skills.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

The Senior Program Manager, Strategic Service Programs, will play a critical role in leading strategic customer, business, and transformation programs focused in EMEA while supporting global services transformation initiatives across the organization. The ideal candidate is a motivated and inquisitive self-starter who thrives in fast-paced environments, proactively identifies opportunities for improvement, develops actionable recommendations, communicates clearly, and effectively collaborates across global, cross-functional teams.

This role combines program leadership, business transformation, operational excellence, financial analysis and reporting, technology acumen, and strategic execution. The successful candidate will lead complex customer-facing programs and internal initiatives ranging from multi-year programs to shorter-term strategic projects, while helping evolve HID’s growing service portfolio, recurring revenue offerings, operational processes, and service delivery capabilities.

The Senior Program Manager, Strategic Service Programs, must manage multiple concurrent projects, programs, and business initiatives with varying levels of complexity, duration, stakeholders, and business impacts. This includes program planning duties such as requirements management, budget planning, financial analytics including P&L, schedule management, risk management, stakeholder management, communications, and executive reporting.

As our Senior Program Manager, Strategic Service Programs, you’ll support HID’s success by:

  • Program Leadership: Lead assigned customer-facing programs, strategic projects, and services transformation initiatives from initiation through successful delivery focused in EMEA. Manage multiple concurrent projects, programs, and business initiatives with varying levels of complexity, duration, stakeholders, and business impacts. Drive program execution to facilitate delivery of all aspects across cross-functional teams including but not limited to Services, Product Management, Engineering, Technical Support, Customer Success, Sales/Pre-Sales, Operations, Finance, and external partners. Develop and maintain program plans including requirements, financial analytics including P&L, schedules, risk registers, dependencies, stakeholder roles and responsibilities, communications, and executive reporting. Identify, analyze, and mitigate program risks and proactively drive mitigation steps, contingency planning, and issue resolution to support business interests. Facilitate executive reviews, steering committees, status meetings, and decision-making forums with appropriate stakeholders. Work with Sales and Pre-Sales to ensure program and project objectives are clear and align with strategic business objectives and customer expectations.
  • Business and Financial Analysis: Analyze program financials, business performance metrics, and operational KPIs, tracking against baseline plans of record and routinely reporting overall program performance and financial health including current risks. Support business planning activities through financial modeling, ROI assessments, business case development, and data-driven recommendations. Develop executive-level reporting and insights to support strategic decision-making. Evaluate business opportunities and provide recommendations based on financial, operational, and customer impact considerations.
  • Technology and Innovation: Operate and communicate effectively within technical environments involving software, cloud-based solutions, APIs, biometrics, ABIS/AFIS ecosystems, identity management solutions, cybersecurity, integrations, AI-enabled technologies, and enterprise platforms. Leverage AI and automation tools to improve productivity, decision-making, program execution, and service delivery outcomes. Serve as a bridge and liaison between internal business and technical stakeholders.
  • Services Strategies and Business Growth: Support and drive services initiatives focused on service portfolio evolution, recurring revenue growth, service commercialization, and scalable delivery models. Identify, develop, and support opportunities to expand recurring revenue streams through maintenance, support, managed services, subscription-based offerings, and other service-based business models. Partner with Services, Finance, Product Management, Sales, and Operations teams to evaluate, develop, commercialize, and optimize service offerings through business case development, pricing strategies, profitability analysis, cost-to-serve evaluations, and portfolio management. Identify and implement opportunities to improve operational efficiency, customer experience, service scalability, governance, performance measurement, and overall business outcomes.

Essential Qualifications: Demonstrated experience managing complex programs and projects across multiple functions, business units, and geographic regions. Strong understanding of program management and execution, risk management, financial management, stakeholder management, change management, and business process improvement. Experience working within structured PMO environments and leading cross-functional initiatives. Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving capabilities, including business case development, pricing analysis, profitability assessment, cost estimation, ROI evaluation, and data-driven decision making. Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities, respectfully challenge assumptions and status quo, and develop actionable recommendations with limited supervision. Ability to communicate and operate effectively within technical environments involving software, cloud solutions, APIs, and preferably including biometrics and ABIS technologies.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience supporting service transformation initiatives, recurring revenue offerings, service portfolio development, pricing strategy, profitability analysis, or service commercialization is highly desirable. Formal Project Management certifications such as PMP, PMI, PRINCE2, Agile, Scrum, or equivalent are highly valued. Experience participating in Agile environments, including exposure to scaled agile framework, scrum, roadmap planning, Program Increment (PI) planning, backlog prioritization, or similar cross-functional planning activities is highly desirable. Additional languages such as French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, or other languages commonly used across EMEA are considered an asset. Familiarity with ERP, ITSM, Customer Support, or Service Management platforms is considered an asset.

Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field. Equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience may also be considered. Minimum 10 years of experience in Program Management, Project Management, Business Transformation, Operations, Professional Services, or related disciplines. Experience within technology, software, biometrics, identity solutions, cybersecurity, SaaS, enterprise platforms, or related industries. Experience leading cross-functional initiatives across global organizations.

What we can offer you: Competitive salary and rewards package. Competitive benefits and annual leave offering, allowing for work-life balance. A vibrant, welcoming & inclusive culture. Extensive career development opportunities and resources to maximize your potential.

Why apply? Empowerment: You’ll work as part of a global team in a flexible work environment, learning and enhancing your expertise. We welcome an opportunity to meet you and learn about your unique talents, skills, and experiences. You don’t need to check all the boxes. If you have most of the skills and experience, we want you to apply. Innovation: You embrace challenges and want to drive change. We are open to ideas, including flexible work arrangements, job sharing or part-time job seekers. Integrity: You are results-orientated, reliable, and straightforward and value being treated accordingly. We want all our employees to be themselves, to feel appreciated and accepted.

HID is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce that reflects the global communities we serve. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. Our goal is to create a workplace that empowers everyone to thrive and be their authentic selves, fostering an environment of mutual respect and inclusivity.

Senior Program Manager employer: Assa Abloy

HID is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture in Reading, UK, where employees are empowered to thrive and innovate. With competitive salaries, extensive career development opportunities, and a commitment to work-life balance, HID fosters an environment that values diverse perspectives and encourages personal growth. Join a global team dedicated to pioneering cutting-edge biometric solutions that enhance everyday life while making a meaningful impact across the EMEA region.

Assa Abloy

Contact Details:

Assa Abloy Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Program Manager

Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions

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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Program Manager

Program Leadership
Business Transformation
Operational Excellence
Financial Analysis
Risk Management
Stakeholder Management
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!

Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Assa Abloy. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!

Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.

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How to prepare for a job interview at Assa Abloy

Master the Case Study Game

In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!

Know Your Numbers

Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!

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As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Be a Cultural Fit

We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Assa Abloy. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!