Strategic Programme & Operations Director

Technology is our how. And people are our why. For over two decades, we have been harnessing technology to drive meaningful change. By combining world‑class engineering, industry expertise and a people‑centric mindset, we consult and partner with leading brands across various industries to create dynamic platforms and intelligent digital experiences that drive innovation and transform businesses. From prototype to real‑world impact – be part of a global shift by doing work that matters. Endava is on an AI Native journey. As one of OpenAI’s global partners we are committed to exploring the benefits AI can bring to productivity, effectiveness and accuracy. Our goal is to seize the AI‑catalyzed growth moment and help our clients thrive. Dava.Y is Endava’s growth engine for the AI era – working with clients to find and make their next big growth move.

A senior operator who can help build, run and scale Dava.Y as it grows – turning ambition into a high‑performing business. You will work closely with the Dava.Y Lead and Engagement Directors to shape how we operate, scale, and consistently deliver high‑quality engagements. You will sit across everything, from how engagements are structured and delivered, to how we plan capacity, track performance, and convert opportunities into revenue and downstream impact. You’ll play a central role in building the Dava.Y business – a growth consultancy for the AI era. We’re looking for someone who combines structured thinking with pragmatism, is comfortable in ambiguity, and is motivated by building something from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Dava.Y Lead and Engagement Directors to shape and evolve the operating model.
• Turn strategy into execution, ensuring plans translate into clear actions, priorities and outcomes.
• Oversee the end‑to‑end engagement lifecycle.
• Support resource planning and team allocation across engagements.
• Ensure consistency and quality across Dava.Y engagements (typically 4‑10 weeks, £125k–£250k).
• Build and maintain lightweight processes, tools and reporting to track performance (e.g. pipeline, revenue, conversion, utilisation).
• Drive the commercial engine – tracking how Dava.Y engagements convert into downstream delivery and ensuring momentum is maintained.
• Shape and evolve how Dava.Y engagements operate, from ways of working to team structure and delivery rhythm.
• Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies, and implement improvements to how the team operates.
• Support proposal development and engagement shaping where needed.
• Work with Engagement Directors, discipline Leads and Client Partners to ensure alignment across accounts.
• Use AI not just to optimise processes, but to rethink how work gets done and how the business scales.
• Help define how Dava.Y scales (incl. team structure, hiring priorities, and ways of working).

Qualifications

Experience

• 10+ years in operations, programme, or studio leadership roles.
• Experience operating in fast‑paced, ambiguous environments scaling teams or businesses.
• Strong understanding of how consulting, product, design or digital delivery models work.
• Experience running complex programmes, portfolios or operations functions.
• Exposure to commercial performance, revenue tracking and pipeline management.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong structured thinking and problem‑solving ability.
• Able to move between strategic thinking and hands‑on execution.
• Highly organised, with the ability to bring clarity and structure to complexity.
• Commercially aware, with a strong understanding of how work translates into revenue and growth.
• Comfortable working across multiple stakeholders and disciplines.
• Proactive and self‑starting – identify problems early and solve without waiting.
• Clear communicator, able to align and motivate teams, and drive decisions.
• High standards for quality, pace and delivery.
• Curious and proactive in applying AI to improve how teams work, decisions are made, and the business scales.
• Motivated by building and scaling something new, not just operating within an existing structure.

About Dava.Y

Most companies are ready to invest in growth, but struggle with where to place their bets, which opportunities are worth pursuing, and how to turn ideas into something that actually delivers value. Dava.Y exists to close that gap. We work with client leadership teams to identify new growth opportunities – new products, platforms and business models. We build the case and confidence to invest, and translate them into delivery programmes that return on that investment. Our engagements are short and focused but designed to create momentum and unlock much larger opportunities downstream. We’re building a small, high‑calibre team to do this. People who care about the quality of thinking, the clarity of ideas, and making moves that matter.

Benefits

• Finance: Competitive salary package, share plan, company performance bonuses, value‑based recognition awards, referral bonus;
• Career Development: Career coaching, global career opportunities, non‑linear career paths, internal development programmes for management and technical leadership;
• Learning Opportunities: Complex projects, rotations, internal tech communities, training, certifications, coaching, online learning platforms subscriptions, pass‑it‑on sessions, workshops, conferences;
• Work‑Life Balance: Hybrid work and flexible working hours, employee assistance programme;
• Health: Global internal wellbeing programme, access to wellbeing apps;
• Community: Global internal tech communities, hobby clubs and interest groups, inclusion and diversity programmes, events and celebrations.

At Endava, we’re committed to creating an open, inclusive, and respectful environment where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to be their best. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives—because we know that inclusive teams help us deliver smarter, more innovative solutions for our customers. Hiring decisions are based on merit, skills, qualifications, and potential. If you need adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know.