Senior Project Manager

Senior Project Manager

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead high-priority projects in a dynamic airline environment and drive impactful transformations.
  • Company: Join IAG, a leading global airline group with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health insurance, pension plans, and performance bonuses.
  • Other info: Work in a fast-paced, multicultural environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in the aviation industry while collaborating with diverse teams.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in procurement or programme management, with strong stakeholder engagement skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.

About Us

We are part of International Airlines Group (IAG), one of the world’s leading airline groups and owner of some of the biggest brands in the sky. IAG Transform provides creative and innovative solutions to drive sustainable transformation by delivering procurement and airline services, as well as group-wide systems across IAG. Each operating company benefits from the Transform centralised model, driving efficiencies, automation, and economies of scale.

Purpose of the role

The Senior Programme & Transformation Manager manages the delivery of high-priority projects and programmes across Airports Procurement, ensuring timely execution, effective governance, and measurable impact on business outcomes. This position coordinates cross-functional delivery across category programmes, working alongside senior business owners and sponsors to track progress, manage risks and dependencies, and drive accountability. By combining programme management discipline, data-driven reporting, and strong stakeholder engagement, the role helps ensure that Airports Procurement delivers on its commitments and contributes directly to the Group's financial and operational objectives. Functioning as a trusted coordinator and enabler of change, this position supports decision-making through structured governance routines, performance tracking, and proactive stakeholder collaboration.

Your responsibilities

  • Programme Delivery & Governance
    • Manage the delivery of assigned category programmes and priority projects.
    • Lead programme management routines including planning, scheduling, risk and issue management, and structured follow-up to ensure timely and effective delivery.
    • Design and maintain project plans, regularly reporting progress to the Procurement Director of Airports and other senior stakeholders during review sessions.
    • Lead governance routines, steering meetings, and reporting cadences that drive accountability and consistency across Airports Procurement.
    • Identify issues to be resolved or escalated, ensuring risks are surfaced early and delivery stays on track.
    • Drive performance tracking through KPIs, dashboards, and regular progress reporting.
    • Ensure that all activity is carried out in accordance with Group and operating company governance and compliance principles.
    • Work with other Senior Project Managers to drive consistency in programme management standards and delivery approach.
  • Transformation & Continuous Improvement
    • Support the coordination of procurement transformation initiatives, ensuring delivery milestones are tracked and dependencies managed across work streams.
    • Drive data-led insights to enhance programme and category reporting, linking delivery progress with procurement value and business outcomes.
    • Identify and deploy process and digital improvements across the procurement lifecycle, working with IAG.ai, skynet, and other technology partners to improve ways of working and delivery capability.
    • Support change management activities associated with new processes, policies, and technology adoption across Airports Procurement.
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
    • Act as a key liaison between Procurement, Finance, and senior stakeholders to ensure consistent communication and alignment.
    • Manage stakeholder relationships to ensure robust challenge of project plans and timely, effective delivery.
    • Support the category management of operating company tier 1 (high strategic / high risk / high spend) projects.
    • Prepare regular reports and presentations for senior management, highlighting programme status, key milestones, risks, and strategic insights.
    • Develop effective working relationships with crucial interfaces across the Group and operating companies, including operating company leadership, Finance, Legal, IAG.ai, Skynet, and other cross-functional stakeholders.
    • Take an active role in cross-departmental strategic and leadership activities.

Your skills, experience and qualifications

  • Degree and/or ability to demonstrate strong knowledge of working in international procurement environment.
  • Particular experience in specific category procurement within the aviation industry would be valuable.
  • Strategic Thinking – able to connect category, programme, and business objectives through a proper governance and stakeholder engagement.
  • Resilience – ability to prioritise, maintain clear focus, and provide direction in constant ambiguity and change.
  • Influencing – excellent sponsorship and stakeholder management skills across diverse geographic regions and at multiple levels, with the gravitas to engage with and influence senior stakeholders.
  • Accountability – owns delivery outcomes and commitment to service excellence and process improvement, including supporting technology adoption.
  • Collaboration – promotes cross-functional teamwork and shared ownership.
  • Data driven - strong business and financial acumen with the ability to evaluate, analyse and solve problems.
  • 10+ years in Procurement, Transformation, or Programme Management, ideally within complex, multinational organisations.
  • Proven track record of delivering high-impact initiatives that enhance governance, data-driven decision making, and operational excellence.
  • Strong executive influence, with the ability to shape direction, secure alignment, and drive adoption of new processes and digital tools across global teams.
  • Demonstrated success operating in fast-changing environments involving people, process, policy, and technology transformation.
  • Fluency in English.
  • Willingness to travel and work in a multi-site/location environment.

What we offer

The chance to enjoy a challenging career in an exciting, fast-moving environment in a dynamic industry. The opportunity to work in a multi-cultural environment with great offices in many locations. We support our people in maintaining work/life balance, as well as providing the many benefits one would expect from a global organisation, including health insurance, pension and performance bonuses. We are an equal opportunities employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Senior Project Manager employer: IAG Transform UK

As part of International Airlines Group, we offer a dynamic and fast-paced work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our supportive culture, competitive benefits including health insurance and performance bonuses, and opportunities for professional development in a multi-cultural setting. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the aviation industry while enjoying a healthy work/life balance.

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Contact Detail:

IAG Transform UK Recruiting Team

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 letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Senior Project Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their procurement processes and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who’s not just looking for any job, but is genuinely interested in contributing to their success.

Tip Number 3

Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you’ve managed high-priority projects and driven transformation in previous roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.

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 serious about joining our team and contributing to IAG’s exciting journey.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Project Manager

Programme Management
Project Delivery
Risk Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Data Analysis
Governance
Procurement Knowledge

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in procurement and project management. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing relevant achievements!

Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills:Since this role involves a lot of collaboration, emphasise your experience in managing stakeholder relationships. Share examples of how you've successfully engaged with senior stakeholders and navigated complex environments.

Be Data-Driven:We love candidates who can back up their claims with data! Include any metrics or KPIs that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. This will show us you understand the importance of data in driving decisions.

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!

How to prepare for a job interview at IAG Transform UK

Know Your Programmes

Before the interview, dive deep into the specific programmes and projects that the company is currently managing. Familiarise yourself with their goals, challenges, and how your experience aligns with their needs. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also invested in their success.

Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills

Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight your ability to manage relationships and drive accountability. Be ready to discuss how you can bring this expertise to the Senior Project Manager position, especially in a cross-functional environment.

Data-Driven Decision Making

Since the role emphasises data-driven insights, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to inform decisions in past projects. Discuss specific KPIs you've tracked and how they influenced project outcomes. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and commitment to continuous improvement.

Embrace Change Management

Change is a constant in procurement and project management. Be ready to talk about your experience with change management initiatives, particularly in fast-paced environments. Share how you've supported teams through transitions and the strategies you've employed to ensure smooth adoption of new processes or technologies.