Senior Programme Manager in Cardiff

The Senior Programme Manager will oversee the execution of a strategic IT Programme (a set of related projects) adhering to the PPMO framework. The role leads delivery, ensures alignment with organisational goals, optimises resources and delivers long‑term value.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead multiple related projects to achieve programme objectives.
• Align programme objectives with strategic goals and ensure benefits realisation.
• Oversee on‑time delivery with high quality standards, managing programme‑level risks and dependencies.
• Engage stakeholders across ITS units and ensure effective communication.
• Review performance of Project Managers, ensuring governance and quality during project delivery.
• Provide strategic guidance to project managers and collaborate to maintain focus on key milestones.
• Implement and monitor robust tracking mechanisms, identifying and resolving risks or delays proactively.
• Monitor and report programme outcomes to senior leadership.
• Allocate resources efficiently, including budget, personnel and technology, and optimise utilisation across projects.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders and act as a liaison between project managers and executive leadership.
• Manage diverse project teams, foster collaboration, motivate staff, mentor junior project managers and provide regular constructive feedback.
• Implement robust quality assurance processes and continuously improve quality practices.
• Support and manage changes to project scope, requirements and timelines through coordinated change‑management initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Proven experience of 6+ years as a Project Manager, preferably in IT or business transformation projects.
• Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent problem‑solving, decision‑making and conflict‑resolution abilities.
• Proficiency in project management methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall) and tools (Azure Boards, ServiceNow SPM, Microsoft Office).
• Appropriate certification (APM, PMP, PRINCE2, CMI) desirable.
• Experience managing software development delivered by third‑party offshore teams beneficial.
• Proficiency in English; intermediate level of Spanish recommended; additional languages beneficial.

Skills & Competencies

• Knowledge of project management frameworks, governance and best practices.
• Excellent communication and reporting skills to senior stakeholders and project teams.
• Systematic analysis, stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Independent time and resource management.
• Risk management capabilities.
• Problem‑solving and multi‑programme coordination.
• Detail‑oriented and strong organisational skills.
• Budget management and control.
• Leadership and critical thinking.
• Stakeholder engagement and summarisation of technical details.
• Negotiation skills.
• Change‑management planning and implementation.
• Experience with cloud technologies and tools such as Confluence and Azure DevOps.
• Experience in managing business and IT projects.

Behavioural Traits

• Proactive and initiative‑taking.
• Persuasive and reliable.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Organised and structured.
• Ability to maintain team spirit and motivation.

Benefits

• A dynamic, international and challenging work environment.
• Training and support for continuous professional development.
• Competitive salary, pension package and flexible benefits.
• Challenging tasks with opportunities for individual development and training.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status.