Continuous Improvement Manager

Role: Continuous Improvement Manager

Increase your chances of reaching the interview stage by reading the complete job description and applying promptly.

Location: Manchester (Hybrid)

Thanks for checking out our job opening; we are excited that YOU are interested in learning more about NCC Group.

We are on a mission to make society a safer and more secure place. Our people are the ones who make that possible; a global community of talented individuals working together towards a safer future.

We aim to create an environment where everyone can reach their full potential. We work together, we are brilliantly creative, we embrace difference and we want you to join in our mission, to make the world safer and more secure.

Take a look at our website here to learn more about why we’re one of the leading global Cyber Security and Risk Mitigation business… https://www.nccgroup.com/uk/

The Escode Division

The Escode, part of NCC Group’s family of brands is a leading global provider of provider of Software Escrow, IP Escrow and Verification Services with over 18,000 customers worldwide and offices all over the world.

With more than 40 years\’ experience, our story begins in 1988 when we identified that businesses were becoming increasingly technology-dependent, but no safety mechanism existed to protect those using the software applications or even the vendors themselves. As creators of the software escrow category, we are proud to be in the position to set standards for the wider industry and shape and influence its direction.

Take a look at our website here to learn more about Escode: https://www.escode.com

The Opportunity:

We are seeking an experienced Programme Manager with a focus and specialty in Continuous Improvement to lead the design and delivery of cross-functional initiatives aimed at delivering strategic business priorities, enhancing operational efficiency, and fostering a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement.

You will be responsible for designing and implementing robust processes with business leaders, managing complex projects/programmes from inception to completion, and delivering measurable business outcomes.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities:

Project Delivery/Programme Management:

• Design and scope project/ programme initiatives with senior leaders and operational stakeholders, ensuring a strong focus on strategic alignment, quality of solution, clarity of business case, and organisational agreement/acceptance.
• Lead the end-to-end management and delivery of high-impact programmes/projects.
• Establish effective programme/ project governance. E.g. project review cadence, detailed project plans and timelines, resource allocation, and budgets
• Ensure alignment and effective programme interfaces (where required) with the wider NCC Group including GTS (Technology), Transformation, Compliance and Legal
• Monitor programme performance, establishing relevant KPIs, reporting regularly to senior leadership.

Process Transformation and Improvement:

• Identify operational inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement through understanding customer expectations/ experience, gathering internal stakeholder inputs, process mapping, and data analysis.
• Design and scope process improvements using appropriate frameworks and methodologies (e.g. Lean, Six Sigma, Systems Thinking)
• Ensure a high degree of organisational consensus and stakeholder acceptance for all improvements prior to and following implementation.
• Drive a change management agenda to embed improvement and innovation into our business culture.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including IT, HR, Finance, and Operations
• Build strong working relationships with senior stakeholders and external partners.
• Facilitate workshops and training sessions to support group ideation, capability building, and effective solution rollouts and post-implementation embedding.

Risk and Quality Management:

• Proactively identify programme risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, company policies, and regulatory requirements

Qualifications and Skills:

• Significant demonstrable experience of leading and delivering business improvement in process improvement and/or Transformation programme management roles.
• Equally able to work independently with strong self-sufficiency or collaboratively to achieve shared goals.
• Experience of managing and developing a small core team, and in engaging and coaching wider stakeholders to undertake improvement activity
• Proven success in leading multiple programmes and concurrent change initiatives
• Professional certifications such as PMP, PRINCE2, Agile, Six Sigma (reputable Black Belt accreditation, but may consider BQF certified Green Belts), Lean, Systems Thinking
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills with advanced Excel skills
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal abilities.
• Hands-on expertise in project management and process optimization tools (e.g., MS Project, Amplify, Visio, online whiteboarding, Power BI).
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and influence stakeholders at all levels.

Behaviours:

• Focusing on Clients and Customers: Prioritise customer needs and build strong relationships.
• Working as One NCC: Collaborate effectively with colleagues across the organisation.
• Always Learning: Embrace continuous learning and development.
• Being Inclusive and Respectful: Foster a positive and inclusive work environment.
• Delivering Brilliantly: Strive for excellence in all that you do.

What we offer in return:

• Flexible Working: Balance your work and personal life with our flexible working options.
• Generous Holiday Allowance: Enjoy 25 days of holiday, plus bank holidays, with the option to buy up to 5 additional days of annual leave.
• Medicash & Critical Illness Scheme
• Financial & Investment Benefits: Enjoy peace of mind with our Pension, Life Assurance, and Share Save Scheme.
• Community & Volunteering Programmes: Make a difference in your community with our volunteering opportunities.
• Green Car Scheme: Drive green and save money with our eco-friendly car scheme.
• Cycle Scheme: Stay fit and healthy with our cycle-to-work scheme.
• Special Time Off: Take time off for those big moments in life, like getting married/entering into a civil partnership, becoming a grandparent, and welcoming home a new pet.
• Family Planning: Benefit from our generous maternity and paternity leave, as well as time off and support for those undergoing fertility treatments.

About NCC Group

The NCC Group family has over 2,200 members located all around the world, providing a trusted advisory service to 15,000 customers. Born in the UK, we have now have offices in North America, Canada, Europe, Asia- Pacific and United Arab Emirates.

We are passionate about helping our customers to protect their brand, value and reputation against the ever-evolving threat landscape. We fuel that passion with investment in our people and our business.

Our values and code of ethics are at the heart of how we operate – we work together, we are brilliantly creative and we embrace difference. We treat everyone and everything with equal respect.

We want to create an environment where all colleagues feel psychologically, emotionally and physically safe to be authentic, sharing their personal experiences to represent the diversity of the world they live in, and have equal opportunity to achieve their best.

About your application

We review every application received and will get in touch if your skills and experience match what we’re looking for. If you don’t hear back from us within 10 days, please don’t be too disappointed – we may keep your CV on our database for any future vacancies and we would encourage you to keep an eye on our career opportunities as there may be other suitable roles.

If you do not want us to retain your details, please email global.ta@nccgroup.com. All personal data is held in accordance with the NCC Group Privacy Policy (candidate-privacy-notice-261023.pdf (nccgroupplc.com)). We are committed to diversity and flexibility in the workplace. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you during the application process, please tell us at any stage.

Please note that this role involves mandatory pre-employment background checks due to the nature of the work NCC Group does. To apply, you must be willing and able to undergo the vetting process. This role being advertised will be subject to BS7858 screening as a mandatory requirement.