Head of Projects - Reading, UK in England

Lead Complex Programmes. Shape Delivery Excellence. Drive Customer Success.

We are looking for an experienced and commercially minded Head of Projects to lead our Project Services function and play a pivotal role in delivering high-profile customer and business transformation programmes. This is a senior leadership position responsible for defining and executing the Project Services strategy, leading a team of Project Managers and project specialists, and ensuring the successful delivery of multiple concurrent projects across the organisation. You will oversee the full project lifecycle, from bid support and planning through to delivery, governance, financial control, and customer satisfaction. If you thrive in fast-paced environments, enjoy leading high-performing teams, and have a track record of delivering complex technology and service programmes, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Be Doing

• Define and implement the Project Services strategy aligned to organisational goals.
• Drive continuous improvement across project governance, methodologies, tools, and reporting.
• Develop and maintain project delivery standards, processes, and best practices.
• Partner with senior leadership to ensure projects deliver measurable business value.
• Lead, coach and develop the Project Services team.
• Build a high-performing delivery function capable of supporting business growth.
• Ensure projects are appropriately resourced through a blend of permanent employees and specialist contractors.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and delivery excellence.
• Oversee the successful delivery of multiple projects and programmes, ensuring delivery to scope, budget, quality and timescale.
• Manage project governance, planning, risk management, reporting and stakeholder communications.
• Chair project review meetings with customers and internal stakeholders.
• Drive proactive issue resolution and change management throughout project lifecycles.
• Identify opportunities for additional revenue through change requests and out-of-scope activities.
• Maintain full budgetary responsibility across the project portfolio.
• Monitor project performance, costs, profitability and resource utilisation.
• Ensure accurate project reporting, forecasting and invoicing controls.
• Support bid and pre-sales activities by providing delivery expertise and resource planning.
• Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Act as a senior escalation point for project-related matters.
• Champion exceptional customer experience and service delivery throughout all engagements.

What We're Looking For

• Significant leadership experience within a project or programme management environment.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale, high-value and complex projects and programmes.
• Experience managing multiple workstreams, stakeholders and geographically dispersed teams.
• Demonstrable responsibility for project financial management, budgeting and commercial governance.
• Experience leading teams of 20+ project professionals and contractors.

Technical & Industry Experience

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience delivering projects within one or more of the following areas:

• IT Outsourcing Services
• Desktop and End User Computing Deployments
• Service Transition and Transformation Programmes
• Technical Infrastructure Implementations
• International Project Delivery and Transition Management

Leadership & Personal Attributes

• Inspirational leader with the ability to motivate, influence and develop teams.
• Strong commercial awareness and risk management capability.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Confident decision-maker with excellent problem-solving abilities.
• Able to influence outcomes across matrix organisations where there is no direct line authority.
• Strategic thinker who can balance operational detail with long-term business objectives.
• Highly organised, proactive and results-driven.

Tools & Methodologies

• Strong knowledge of project management frameworks and governance disciplines.
• Advanced experience using project management tools such as Microsoft Project and related reporting platforms.
• Experience managing programmes and portfolios in structured delivery environments.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to lead a critical function within a growing organisation delivering complex technology and business transformation projects. You'll have the autonomy to shape project delivery strategy, influence senior stakeholders, and build a best-in-class Project Services capability while working on challenging and rewarding programmes that make a real impact. If you're ready to take ownership of a high-profile project portfolio and lead teams that consistently deliver exceptional outcomes, we want to hear from you. Our vision and ethos have stood the test of time and we aim to exceed expectation and delight customers every time and our values are integral to the way we work together. Join a team that prioritises excellence - our ISO 9001 certification reflects our commitment to quality and superior customer service. ESP Global Services is an Equal Opportunity employer!