Programme Manager in Bicester

Programme Manager in Bicester

Bicester Full-Time 50000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Dalcour Maclaren

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage client contracts, ensuring performance, compliance, and financial success.
  • Company: Join Dalcour Maclaren, a leader in Utilities and Infrastructure, driving towards a sustainable future.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, health perks, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with excellent growth potential and a supportive culture.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the journey to Net Zero while developing your career.
  • Qualifications: Experience in contract management and strong analytical skills are essential.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.

At Dalcour Maclaren, we're key players in the Utilities and Infrastructure industry, bringing the UK and Ireland closer to Net Zero every day. Our land, environmental and geospatial experts work together to unlock the consents needed by our clients to deliver key projects. Our services include land access and assembly, agricultural liaison, planning, environmental impact assessments and geospatial mapping. Join us, and play your part in helping us to achieve our vision; to be the professional services team of choice, leading the Utilities and Infrastructure industry to a sustainable future.

We are looking for a Contract / Programme Manager to join our Bicester Water Team.

Purpose of the Role

The Contract Manager is responsible for ensuring the successful commercial and operational delivery of client contracts, in this instance, the STW contract. The role acts as the key interface between the client, operational teams, finance, and the client lead/client manager, ensuring contractual compliance, achievement of client KPIs, strong financial performance, effective risk management, and continuous improvement in commercial processes.

Key Responsibilities

  • Contract Performance & Client KPI Management
    • Manage the day-to-day commercial performance of allocated client contracts.
    • Monitor, analyse, and report against contractual Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
    • Produce client KPI reports and dashboards, ensuring accuracy, transparency, associated commentary and timely submission.
    • Identify trends, risks, and opportunities through KPI analysis and implement corrective actions where required.
    • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance service delivery and contract performance.
  • Financial Management & Analysis
    • Undertake detailed financial analysis of contract performance, including revenue, WIP and PO management, debt and gross margin performance.
    • Monitor financial metrics and provide regular reporting and forecasting to the Client Manager, Client Lead and Service and Delivery Lead.
    • Identify commercial trends, variances, and emerging financial risks, recommending actions to improve financial outcomes.
    • Support forecasting and financial planning activities related to contract delivery.
    • Ensure contractual entitlements are identified and maximised, including change control, variations, and additional services.
  • Commercial Risk Management
    • Identify, assess, and manage commercial, contractual, and operational risks associated with contract delivery.
    • Maintain contract risk registers and ensure mitigation plans are implemented and monitored.
    • Escalate significant risks and issues appropriately, providing clear recommendations and recovery plans.
    • Support the resolution of contractual disputes, claims, and commercial issues.
    • Ensure contractual obligations and liabilities are understood and effectively managed across delivery teams.
  • Contract Compliance & Governance
    • Ensure all activities are delivered in accordance with contractual requirements, company policies, and governance standards.
    • Monitor compliance with contract terms, processes, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
    • Provide guidance and support to operational teams to ensure consistent contractual compliance.
    • Support contract mobilisation, renewals and extensions.
  • Billing, Debtors & Cash Flow Management
    • Drive improvements in billing accuracy and timeliness across all contract activities.
    • Work closely with operational and finance teams to ensure work completed is accurately captured, invoiced, and recovered.
    • Monitor work in progress (WIP), accrued income, outstanding invoices, and debtor performance.
    • Identify and address causes of billing delays, disputes, and payment issues.
    • Develop and implement actions to improve cash collection, debtor performance, and overall cash flow.
    • Provide regular reporting on billing performance, aged debt and PO management.
  • Stakeholder & Relationship Management
    • Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, internal teams, and key stakeholders.
    • Collaborate with Finance, Operations, Resource Management, and Leadership teams to ensure aligned contract delivery.
    • Support negotiations relating to contract changes, variations, extensions, and renewals.
  • Continuous Improvement
    • Identify opportunities to improve commercial processes, reporting, systems, and controls.
    • Promote best practice in contract management, financial governance, and commercial awareness.
    • Develop and implement performance improvement initiatives that enhance profitability, compliance, and client experience.
    • Contribute to the development of commercial policies, procedures, and reporting frameworks.

Benefits:

  • Annual bonus scheme
  • 25 days annual leave plus 1 day to celebrate your birthday
  • Vitality Health Membership (including Private healthcare, subsidised gym membership and other discounts)
  • Flexible working through our ‘Flexible Advantage’ supporting working families & your work/life balance
  • Pension Scheme via The Peoples Pension
  • Life insurance (4x Base Salary)
  • Free on-site parking in non-city centre offices
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • 26 Weeks paid Maternity Leave
  • 4 Weeks paid Paternity Leave
  • BHN Extras – provides discounted gift cards for hundreds of popular retailers
  • Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme (provided by Octopus Electric Vehicles) effective at 1 years’ service
  • Sabbatical Policy effective at 3 years’ service
  • Professional development – paid study leave
  • Military service paid leave (7.5 days per year)
  • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) plus wider Mental Health & Wellbeing support
  • 2 x Company-wide events every year, in addition to multiple office socials throughout the year

Dalcour Maclaren is an equal opportunities employer.

Programme Manager in Bicester employer: Dalcour Maclaren

Dalcour Maclaren is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a supportive work culture in Northern Ireland. With benefits such as 25 days of annual leave, a bonus scheme, and flexible working options, we ensure our team members can achieve a healthy work-life balance while leading impactful projects in the utilities and infrastructure sector.

Dalcour Maclaren

Contact Details:

Dalcour Maclaren Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Programme Manager in Bicester

Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions

Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Programme Manager at Dalcour Maclaren!

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Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Programme Manager role at Dalcour Maclaren!

We think you need these skills to ace Programme Manager in Bicester

Contract Management
KPI Management
Financial Analysis
Risk Management
Contract Compliance
Stakeholder Management
Continuous Improvement

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 Dalcour Maclaren. 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.

Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!

How to prepare for a job interview at Dalcour Maclaren

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!

Show Your Leadership Flair

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 Dalcour Maclaren. 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!