At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative tech initiatives and modernise finance and people capabilities.
- Company: Join the Financial Times, a top global news organisation with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, medical coverage, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Diverse workplace committed to inclusion and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing large-scale tech transformations and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 66150 - 80850 £ per year.
This job is with Financial Times, an inclusive employer and a member of my Gwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.
Please do not contact the recruiter directly.
About Us
The Financial Times ranks among the world’s top news organisations, known globally for its authority, integrity, and accuracy.
It aims to provide quality information and services around the globe.
At the FT, curiosity flourishes and ambitious thinking is celebrated.
Here, you’re given the opportunity to reach millions, produce work that matters and provide impartial journalism in a polarised world.
In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing.
Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and motivate you. With no set path, you’ll uncover new skills and build a career that can take you anywhere.
Develop a newsworthy career at the FT.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected, and valued.
A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be authentic and perform at their highest potential.
We are dedicated to eliminating obstacles for everyone, with an emphasis on tackling challenges faced by underrepresented groups.
The Role
We are looking for an experienced Corporate Systems Technology Programme Manager to lead complex, enterprise-wide initiatives across Product & Tech and the wider FT.
This is a hands-on programme leadership role, with an initial focus spanning Oracle Finance technology transformation, Workday platform modernisation and integrations, and business model redesign.
You will lead programmes that modernise finance and people capabilities, improve business decision-making and enable scalable business models across the organisation.
You will guide multiple workstreams, teams, suppliers, and interested parties from beginning to end.
You will guarantee programmes are well organized, closely managed, and achieved according to agreed objectives, success measures, benefits, and business priorities.
Engaging with business and technology departments, you will offer the programme direction and technical comprehension necessary to bridge Product, Engineering, Data, Cyber Security, Infrastructure, Architecture, and business sectors, transforming complexity into clear strategies, decisions, and outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Guide intricate technology and business transformation initiatives from initiation through execution, adoption, and benefits achievement.
- Develop and sustain consolidated programme plans spanning various workstreams, delivery teams, suppliers, and third-party partners.
- Establish effective programme governance, ensuring delivery remains aligned with organisational strategy, investment objectives and agreed outcomes.
- Drive execution through effective planning, decision-making, dependency management, issue resolution and clear accountability.
- Coordinate delivery across business and technology teams, making sure technical constraints, architectural requirements, security considerations, and operational impacts are incorporated in programme plans.
- Lead programme steering committees, governance forums and reporting, providing clear visibility of progress, risks, decisions, financial performance and delivery forecasts.
- Manage programme budgets, forecasts, investment tracking and financial performance, supporting arguments and funding recommendations where required.
- Identify and manage programme-level risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies, developing mitigation and recovery plans where delivery is at risk.
- Lead relationships with third-party suppliers, systems integrators and technology partners, monitoring performance against contractual commitments, achievements and programme outcomes.
- Support commercial and procurement activities, including statements of work and contract negotiations.
- Lead business change, organisational readiness, communications, implementation and adoption activities, supporting business leaders in taking ownership of outcomes and benefits.
- Build trusted relationships with senior business and technology collaborators, facilitating alignment and constructive decision-making when priorities, scope, investment, or risk trade-offs need to be addressed.
- Ensure programmes transition successfully into operational support, business adoption and ongoing value tracking.
- Required Skills and Experience
- Extensive experience directing large-scale technology and/or business transformation programs that include multiple interconnected workstreams.
- Broad technology delivery experience, which may include digital products, Saa S platforms, cloud technologies, infrastructure, cyber security, enterprise applications, data platforms or organisational transformation.
- Strong programme planning, governance, financial management, risk management and dependency management skills.
- Experience delivering in Agile, hybrid and/or traditional delivery environments.
- A track record of leading complex cross-functional delivery involving senior business and technology collaborators.
- Experience coordinating third-party suppliers, systems integrators, or technology delivery partners, including delivery within multi-vendor environments.
- Confidence communicating with executive collaborators, steering committees and governance boards, with the ability to turn complex programme information into clear decisions and recommendations.
- Strong commercial insight, including budget and investment oversight and an understanding of benefits and business value realisation.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, influencing and problem-solving skills.
- Professional programme or project management certification such as MSP, Pf MP, Pg MP or equivalent, with demonstrated ability to apply relevant methods in practice.
Desirable
- Experience in media, publishing, subscription, Saa S or another technology-led organisation.
- Experience delivering enterprise transformation, operating model change or technology modernisation programmes.
- Familiarity with enterprise architecture, cloud platforms, cybersecurity frameworks and modern software delivery practices.
What's in it for You?
Our benefits differ depending on the location, but we are dedicated to offering top-tier perks at all our offices.
These include generous annual leave, medical coverage, inclusive parental leave options, discounted gym memberships, and chances to contribute to the community.
Full details of our benefits are available here.
We currently operate a hybrid model which requires staff to work onsite 50% of the time, subject to role requirements & regular review.
While flexible working requests will be considered, not all patterns are suitable for all roles.
We believe this balanced approach supports flexibility and protects our culture, making collaboration and communication easier, building stronger relationships and team cohesion, and supporting peer learning.
We reserve discretion on reasonable notice to change this approach either generally or for specific individuals or teams.
Accessibility
We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory.
Please inform us if you need any reasonable adjustments or accommodations during the application process or to facilitate your attendance at an interview.
Should you wish to discuss your needs or have any inquiries, email talent@ft. com and a member of our team will gladly assist you.
Further Information
At the FT, we embrace innovation and the use of technology and recognize that individuals may employ AI tools in their job application process.
You are welcome to use AI to help with your application.
However, it is crucial that all information is real and correctly shows your skills, experience, and qualifications.
Candidates should be aware that the use of AI during the application process might be observed to guarantee a fair and transparent hiring procedure for everyone.
Please be cautious of fake job listings and offers that claim to represent the Financial Times.
Genuine openings will always ask you to apply via the official Financial Times careers page.
The FT will never request financial details, payments, or references to outside parties during hiring.
If you doubt a job posting’s authenticity or suspect scam activity, email talent@ft. com.
Programme Manager - Corporate Systems employer: Financial Times
The Financial Times is an exceptional employer that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering a warm and collaborative culture where employees can thrive. With a commitment to employee growth, the FT offers a range of benefits including generous annual leave, medical cover, and a flexible hybrid working model, ensuring that you can balance your professional and personal life while contributing to impactful journalism. Join a diverse community of experts and enjoy opportunities that challenge and inspire you in a role that connects influential decision-makers across the globe.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Manager - Corporate Systems
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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 - Corporate Systems at Financial Times!
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We think you need these skills to ace Programme Manager - Corporate Systems
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 Financial Times. 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 Financial Times
✨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 Financial Times. 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!
