At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global IT and security projects, ensuring successful delivery and stakeholder engagement.
- Company: Join DS Smith, a leader in sustainable packaging solutions with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to sustainability and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global technology initiatives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in project management, especially in IT and security programmes.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
We are looking for a highly capable Senior Project Manager to join our IS&S Delivery function, playing a critical role in delivering complex, business-critical technology programmes across DS Smith. This is a high-impact, global role where you will lead the successful delivery of infrastructure, security and service transformation initiatives, working across multiple regions and business units. You will operate at the heart of our technology organisation, driving projects that enable strategic change while ensuring robust governance, risk management and delivery excellence.
Specific knowledge around Identity Access Management tooling and implementation, specifically CyberArk would be highly advantageous. As a senior member of the delivery team, you’ll be accountable for managing large-scale, multi-stream programmes with complex interdependencies, engaging senior stakeholders, and ensuring alignment with broader organisational goals. You’ll also play a key leadership role, supporting and mentoring other project managers and contributing to the continuous improvement of delivery practices.
Key Responsibilities
- Project & Programme Delivery
- Lead end-to-end delivery of complex, global IT and security projects across multiple workstreams
- Develop and maintain detailed project plans, ensuring alignment to strategic programmes and business objectives
- Manage interdependencies, timelines and deliverables across internal teams and third-party partners
- Governance, Risk & Performance
- Own project governance, ensuring delivery in line with DS Smith methodologies and standards
- Proactively identify, assess and mitigate risks, issues and dependencies
- Track and report project performance through established governance forums and programme boards
- Financial & Resource Management
- Manage project budgets and resource allocation, ensuring effective use of investment
- Oversee internal, external and vendor resources to ensure delivery outcomes are achieved
- Stakeholder & Leadership Engagement
- Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across business and technology functions
- Provide clear, confident communication on project progress, risks and outcomes to executive audiences
- Act as a trusted advisor, influencing decision-making and driving alignment across complex stakeholder groups
- Team Leadership & Capability Building
- Lead, coach and mentor project managers and delivery teams, fostering a high-performing and collaborative culture
- Contribute to the development of delivery capability, best practices and continuous improvement initiatives
- Vendor & Compliance Management
- Manage third-party vendors and partners, ensuring compliance with procurement and governance processes
- Support security, audit and compliance activities, ensuring adherence to regulatory and organisational standards
About You
You are a seasoned project delivery professional with a track record of leading complex programmes in global environments. You are equally comfortable navigating ambiguity, managing risk, and influencing at senior levels.
Experience & Expertise
- Proven experience delivering large-scale IT, infrastructure or security programmes with multiple stakeholders and workstreams
- Strong experience in project governance, budgeting, risk management and programme reporting
- Experience in IAM tooling and implementation, specifically CyberArk
- Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional, multi-cultural teams across geographies
- Experience working within complex organisational structures and driving change at scale
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence at executive level
- Strong leadership capability, with a passion for developing people and building high-performing teams
- Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to balance competing priorities and deliver results in fast-paced environments
- Degree in Computer Science, IT, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience)
- Professional certifications such as PRINCE2, MSP, APM or equivalent
- Experience with Agile, SAFe or Lean delivery methodologies
We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, we are a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre-based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. We employ more than 60,000 colleagues in North America and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), who are experts in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, supply chain, and much more. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Become part of a world-leading organisation and do your best work with us!
To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.
Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.
Senior Project Manager employer: DS Smith
At DS Smith, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our hybrid working model in vibrant locations like London and Krakow allows for flexibility while engaging in meaningful projects that drive sustainability and positive change. With a strong focus on employee growth, mentorship, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we empower our team members to thrive and make a significant impact in the world of sustainable packaging.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Project Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. The more people know you’re on the hunt for a Senior Project Manager role, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and how they align with your experience in delivering complex IT and security programmes. This will help you showcase your fit for the role and impress those senior stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your project management successes and how you've navigated challenges in past roles. Highlight your leadership skills and ability to manage interdependencies, as these are key for a Senior Project Manager.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at DS Smith.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Project Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Project Manager role. Highlight your experience with large-scale IT and security programmes, and don’t forget to mention any specific tools like CyberArk that you’ve worked with.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share examples of how you've successfully led complex projects and engaged with senior stakeholders.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Senior Project Manager, leadership is key. Make sure to highlight your experience in mentoring teams and driving high performance. We want to see how you can inspire others!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at DS Smith.
How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the projects you've managed, especially those related to IT and security. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced, how you navigated them, and the outcomes. This will show your depth of experience and ability to lead complex programmes.
✨Master Stakeholder Engagement
Since this role involves engaging with senior stakeholders, prepare examples of how you've built relationships and influenced decision-making in past projects. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve tailored your approach to different audiences to ensure alignment and buy-in.
✨Demonstrate Risk Management Skills
Be prepared to discuss your approach to identifying and mitigating risks in your projects. Share specific instances where your proactive measures made a difference. This will showcase your strategic thinking and ability to manage complex interdependencies effectively.
✨Showcase Leadership and Mentoring Experience
As a Senior Project Manager, you'll be expected to lead and mentor others. Prepare to talk about your leadership style, how you've developed team capabilities, and any initiatives you've led to foster a high-performing culture. This will highlight your commitment to continuous improvement and team success.
