At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead tech projects that drive business transformation and innovation.
- Company: Dynamic company focused on technology and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and growth opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with a focus on personal and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
As a Programme Manager, you will play a key role in steering and implementing technology projects that support our business transformation objectives. The candidate will have a good background in the PRA, Finance or Information Services sector and ideally within a mid‑market private equity‑backed business. This role demands a unique combination of strong technical skills, effective communication, and the ability to navigate the complexities of a dynamic environment.
Principal Accountabilities
- Programme Delivery and Governance
- Manage end-to-end programme delivery across technology, editorial, products, sales, marketing, events and operations, ensuring strategic alignment with organisational goals.
- Establish clear scope, acceptance criteria and success metrics, define tolerances for schedule, cost and benefits, and maintain robust change control throughout the programme lifecycle.
- Lead programme governance meetings, present to steering committees and programme boards, and drive adoption of consistent standards, templates and tools across workstreams.
- Enable timely decision-making by resolving issues, removing barriers and escalating exceptions within delegated authority to protect delivery outcomes.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Reporting
- Engage and align across all functions through structured reporting, regular communications and effective governance.
- Operate a clear reporting cadence using standard RAG criteria and agreed KPIs, tracking performance across scope, schedule, costs, risks and dependencies.
- Financial Risk and Dependency Management
- Own programme budgets across CapEx and OpEx, maintain accurate forecasts-at-completion in alignment with finance, and surface variances early with options for decision.
- Maintain a rigorous RAID register with quantified risks assigned to named owners; actively manage cross‑programme and third‑party dependencies, escalating systemic risks with clear trade‑offs.
- Resource Demand and Capacity Management
- Forecast demand and capacity across programme workstreams, match skills to demand and highlight bottlenecks with mitigation options.
- Secure resource commitments and adjust plans and sequencing to optimise utilisation and protect the critical path.
- Benefits Realisation, Change Management and Adoption
- Develop and track the benefits realisation plan with the named benefits owner, initiating corrective actions where value realisation is at risk.
- Drive organisational change, business readiness, communication and training to achieve measurable adoption, transition services to BAU with agreed SLAs, run‑books and knowledge transfer.
- Line and Vendor Management
- Line‑man‑manage BAs and Project Managers including objective setting, performance reviews, recruitment and onboarding; forecast demand and capacity across programme workstreams.
- Manage third‑party vendors end-to-end, including RFP processes, MSAs, SoWs, invoice tracking and issue resolution in liaison with procurement and legal teams.
- Use AI tools (e.g. Claude) to support programme planning, documentation, risk analysis and stakeholder communications while maintaining human‑in‑the‑loop oversight; champion AI‑augmented ways of working across the PMO and wider programme team.
- Portfolio Management Office Support
- Support the portfolio management team with strategic alignment, prioritisation, investment recommendations and continuous improvement of PMO practices and reporting of performance and delivery progress.
Qualifications
We recruit talented, dynamic people with diverse backgrounds and experiences, all united by a belief in our mission to provide the world’s leading and most trusted price reporting, events, and intelligence service for the markets we serve. We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer and are committed to creating a fully inclusive workplace, where everyone feels able to participate and contribute meaningfully.
Knowledge, Experience and Skills
- Industry and Domain Knowledge
- Demonstrated success delivering complex, cross‑functional programmes in information services, financial services, data and analytics or PRA environments, with understanding of PRA operating models including pricing methodology governance and editorial workflows.
- Significant experience leading multiple concurrent initiatives with clear value realisation, outcome-based planning and extensive commercial delivery of technology and business change.
- Governance, Risk and Financial Acumen
- Strong knowledge of programme governance frameworks, RAID management, dependency registers, benefits tracking and structured decision‑making within delegated tolerances.
- Proficiency in budget ownership, forecasting, accruals, purchase orders and invoice validation across CapEx and OpEx, with ability to apply variance analysis and earned‑value techniques.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
- Ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders constructively across Technology, Editorial, Products, Sales, Marketing, Events and Operations, maintaining transparency through structured governance.
- Excellent written and verbal communication with a track record of clear executive updates, decision papers and transparent programme reporting.
- Delivery Methodology and Technology
- Deep knowledge of Agile methods (Scrum, Kanban), scaled frameworks (e.g. SAFe), and hands‑on proficiency with Jira, Confluence, Azure DevOps, Microsoft 365, Power BI and standard PM planning tools (Monday.com, SmartSheet or MS-Project).
- Practical understanding of Microsoft Azure, .NET, React, Node.js, REST APIs, data pipelines and DevOps practices including CI/CD, automated testing and release engineering.
- Leadership, Change Management and Vendors
- Leadership experience in matrixed, global organisations with the ability to coach cross‑functional teams, drive organisational change, and manage business readiness, training and transition to BAU.
- Experience running RFPs, creating MSAs and SoWs, and managing multiple third‑party vendors to deliver solutions to agreed quality while tracking invoices and payments.
- Practical experience using AI assistants such as Claude for programme planning, scheduling, risk analysis, reporting and stakeholder communications, with ability to craft effective prompts for high‑quality programme artefacts.
- Understanding of responsible AI practices including human‑in‑the‑loop oversight, output validation and data sensitivity, with willingness to champion AI‑augmented ways of working and coach others in effective AI tool use.
- Qualifications and Certifications
- Degree or equivalent experience with relevant certifications such as MSP, PRINCE2, PMI, SAFe or Scrum preferred, and demonstrated proficiency in using AI tools to plan and manage programmes is beneficial.
- Legal and Ethical Awareness
- Awareness of competition law, editorial independence and data ethics considerations relevant to analytics, AI use and cross‑functional forums involving market‑sensitive information.
Our Values
- METRICS DRIVEN. We use insights to improve our customers’ experience and our business performance.
- ACCOUNTABLE. We are accountable to ourselves and those we work with: we keep our promises and get things done.
- GROWTH MINDSET. This value enables us to be nimble to the changing realities and operate with a sense of urgency.
- INCLUSIVE. We are inclusive and respectful, celebrating each of us and giving everyone a deep sense of belonging with the desire to bring their best self to work every day.
- CUSTOMER CENTRIC. We are customer‑centric in all that we do.
- COLLABORATIVE. We are collaborative, able to work across teams and capitalise on the diversity of intellect, perspectives, and experiences.
We are committed to ensuring all candidates feel welcomed and supported. Should your application advance and you require accommodations for the interview process, please inform us so we can make the necessary arrangements.
Programme Manager employer: Fastmarkets
Fastmarkets is an exceptional employer that fosters a warm and inclusive work culture, where diverse backgrounds and experiences are celebrated. With a commitment to employee growth, the company offers tailored benefits and flexible allowances to support individual lifestyles and well-being, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the dynamic field of indirect tax.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Manager
✨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 Fastmarkets!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Fastmarkets or be willing to refer you for that Programme Manager position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Fastmarkets who’s on the lookout for their next Programme Manager star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
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 Fastmarkets!
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Manager
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 Fastmarkets. 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 Fastmarkets
✨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 Fastmarkets. 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!